Procedure to be followed after death


The procedure to follow after death will depend on the circumstances surrounding the death. A medical Certificate of the Cause of Death must be obtained from a Doctor. The certificate will enable you to register the death and obtain the Death Certificate.


When death occurs at home


Inform the family Doctor as soon as possible that the death has occurred. He or she may write out the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death upon visiting the home, or request you attend the surgery for this purpose.


When the death occurs in a hospice or nursing home


The staff of the hospice or nursing home will inform you of the death of your loved one and will help you obtain the medical Certificate of the Cause of Death. They will also be available to help you with advice until you contact us to make the funeral arrangements.


When the death occurs in a Hospital


The hospital staff will inform the next of kin or named person of the death. The deceased will be transferred to the hospital chapel/mortuary. The Bereavement office will arrange for the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death to be issued.


When the death is referred to the coroner


Sometimes the Coroner will need to be informed when a Doctor cannot issue the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death. In these circumstances the Coroners Registrar’s Office will produce a certificate once the Coroner has determined the cause of death. This will be sent by the Coroner’s Office to the Registrar’s Office in the district where the death occurred allowing you now to register the death.


Registering a death Who may register?


If the person died in a house or a hospital, the death can be registered by:


• A relative • Someone present at the death • An occupant of the house • An official from the hospital. • The person making the arrangements with the Funeral Directors


Most deaths are registered by a relative. The registrar would normally only allow other people if there are no relatives available.


Stillbirth


A stillbirth normally needs to be registered within 42 days and at least within 3 months. In many cases this can be done either at the hospital or at the local register office.


Documents & information you will need Documents….


When registering a death you will need the following:


• Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (signed by the Doctor).


And if available:


• Birth Certificate • NHS Medical card • Marriage/ Civil Partnership Certificate


Information You will need to tell the Registrar:


• The person’s full name at the time of death. • Any names previously used, including maiden surnames. • The person’s date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and the country if born abroad).


• Their last address • Their occupation • The full name, date of birth and occupation of surviving spouse or civil partner.


• Whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefit.


Deaths that occurred anywhere else can be registered by:


• A relative • Someone present at the death • The person who found the body • The person in charge of the body • The person making the arrangements with the Funeral Directors


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