Registering a death

When to register the death

In most cases you will need to register the death within five days in the district in which the death occurred. This can help avoid delays getting the necessary documents.

If the Coroner is involved you will be advised when to register the death.

We can advise you on the procedure for registering a death. Below is a guide that can help, but please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. The following people can register a death:

Any relative of the person who has died

Any person present at the death

A person who lives in the house where the person died

The person arranging the funeral (this cannot be a Funeral Director)

A simple interview with the Registrar to register the death is carried out at the Register Office.

You should take with you the Medical Certificate issued by the doctor showing the cause of death and the deceased’s Medical Card. You will also require the following information about the deceased:

Full name

Home Address

Marital Status

Date of Birth

Place of Birth

Occupation (if any)

Maiden Name (if female and married)

Spouse’s Name

Spouse’s Date of Birth

Spouse’s Occupation

The registrar will issue you with:

	A Certificate of Registration of Death, which you should fill in and send to the social security office for the area where the person died.
	A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as a green form), which you should give to your funeral director as soon as possible.
	Certified copies of the entry of death can also be issued by The Registrar, you will need these for official purposes such as Insurers, closing Bank Accounts and Pension Schemes etc.

Special copies are issued for Friendly Societies.

Registering a death

Geoff Leather Funeral Directors

01983 529090

01983 292932