Registering a Death

A death should be registered before arranging the funeral and is usually carried out by a relative. If no relative is available, the registration can be carried out by any person who is present at the death, the occupier of the premises where the death occurred or the person accepting responsibility for arranging the funeral.

The death needs to be registered at a Registrar’s Office within five days. Take your time to collect yourself and gather all the documents and information required, as this will make the process much easier for you.

The death should be registered in the area where it occurred, but if you cannot get to a Registrar’s Office in that area, you can register it at one of your choice – this is called Registry by Proxy. The various certificates will then be forwarded to the Registrar where the death occurred. Bear in mind this will mean a delay in the issuing of the certificates, and the funeral arrangements cannot be finalised until the certificates have been obtained.

The Registrar will need the following information about the person who has died:

• Full name and any previous names used
• Date and place of death
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation
• Last address
• If married, full name, date of birth and occupation of the surviving spouse
• If they were in receipt of any state pension or benefits

They will also need the following documents:

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• The NHS medical card of the person who has died (if available)
• The Birth certificate of the person who has died
• The Marriage or civil partnership certificate of the person who has died (if applicable)

Next: Documents and Certification…