What to do if someone dies

How to Register a Death

Obtaining the documents that are required

Some deaths may need to be referred to the Coroner. If it isn't, the doctor who was attending the deceased will issue you with a medical certificate. This certificate must then be handed to the Registrar.

Normally a death is registered within 5 days. the certificates and documents will be issued to you at the time of registration. This takes place in the district where the death occurred.
However, you can visit any Registrar Office in England and Wales to give details for the registration by declaration and these will be posted to the appropriate office.

This will result in a short delay in you receiving the necessary documents for the funeral service, the DWP and attending to the deceased's' estate.

Who can register the death?

One of the following has to make an appointment with the local registrar:

• A relative of the deceased.
• A person present at the death.
• The occupier of the house where the death took place.
• The person dealing with the funeral arrangements. (Not the Funeral Director)

We will be happy to make an appointment for you although Funeral Directors are not allowed to register a death.

Information needed to register

You will be asked by the Registrar for the following information concerning the deceased:

• Date and place of death.
• Full names, including maiden name where appropriate.
• Date and place of birth.
• Occupation.
• Usual address.

If they were a married/widowed woman, the full names and occupation of her husband/late husband will be required.
If they were married, the date of birth of the spouse.

If they were receiving any pensions or allowances from public funds.

It may be a good idea to look out for some documentation if you are unsure of any of the above, such as a Birth or Marriage Certificate.

What to do with the certificates

The Registrar will issue you with three certificates which are free of charge (two if the death has been referred to the Coroner).

These certificates can only be used for specific purposes:

The green certificate should be handed to your funeral director. If the Coroner has held a post-mortem examination, the green certificate will be replaced by a yellow one, but this will be sent directly to your funeral director.

The white certificate is the Notification of Death. All you need to do is to complete the back of the form and send it to your local Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) office.

The Death Certificate is your official record to keep. You may require further copies. If so, there is normally a charge per additional copy. The Registrar may be able to advise you of how many you will need.