The information in this section is provided to assist you if you have to deal with the practical issues arising when a death occurs.
We hope that the following information will be of help.
Registering a death
In England and Wales a death must be registered by the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the area in which the death occurred. The death must be registered within 5 days. It is sensible to make an appointment with the Registrar in advance.
When registering a death you should take with you:
- The medical certificate of death provided to you by the certifying doctor.
- The National Health Medical Card and / or National Insurance number of the person who has died.
- The Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate and / or Certificate of Divorce of the person who has died.
You will need to inform the Registrar of:
- The full name of the person who has died.
- Their home address
- Their date and place of birth
- Their last occupation
- Whether they were in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds
- The date of birth of their surviving partner
If the person who died was a married woman, the following is required (even if she had been widowed before her death):
- Her maiden name.
- Her husband’s full name.
- Her husband’s last occupation.
As the informant, you will need to supply:
- Your full name.
- Your address.
- Your relationship to the person who has died.
The Registrar will give you:
- A green certificate of burial or cremation (unless the death has been referred to Her Majesty’s Coroner). This form must be handed to the Funeral Director if you are using one, or provided to the place of burial or cremation if you are not.
- A certificate of Registration of Death (White Certificate) This form is for Social Security purposes.
- The death certificate. Original certificates will be required in order to deal with the financial affairs of the person who has died, e.g. obtaining the Will, closing bank accounts etc. It is sensible to obtain a number of copies at the time of registering the death. The Registrar will make a small charge for these copies.
Sudden or Unexpected Deaths.
If a death has occurred that was unexpected, Her Majesty’s Coroner will be involved. The Coroner will investigate the causes of death in the following circumstances:
- If the person who has died had not seen a doctor within 14 days before their death
- If the person who has died was not attended by a doctor during their last illness
- If the death was violent or unnatural
- If the death occurred during an operation, or the deceased was under the effects of an anaesthetic
- If the death occurred in prison or in police custody
- If the death might be as a result of an industrial illness.
It is a legal requirement to ascertain the cause of a death, and the Coroner may arrange for a post mortem examination of the deceased in order to establish this. Coroner’s Officers will liaise with families where a post mortem is required – they are aware of the additional distress caused by the involvement of the Coroner and will endeavor to reassure and assist families with answers to questions wherever possible. The consent of the next of kin is not required for the post mortem examination, but they have a right to have a doctor of their choice present if they wish.
Sometimes a further inquiry into the cause and circumstances of the death is required, and the Coroner will hold an inquest to establish the facts. Inquests are held in public, sometimes with a jury. An inquest will be held if the cause of death remains uncertain after the post mortem examination, or if the death was
- Violent or unnatural
- Caused by an industrial disease
- In prison or police custody
Inquests may be opened and adjourned to a later date, in order to allow the funeral to take place – the Coroner’s Officer will advise the family about the details in each individual case.
Following the Coroner’s conclusions, the body can be released into the care of a funeral director (or the family if no funeral director is to be used). Different forms and certificates may be issued – again, the Coroner’s Officer and / or the funeral director will be able to advise about the purpose of these.
Organisations to be informed of a death:
The family of the person who has died (or the Executors of their Will) will need to make contact with a number of organisations to inform them of the death. Depending on the individual circumstances, some or all of the following will need to be informed, and may require a copy of the death certificate:
- The Department of Social Security – Form 344/BD8 needs to be completed to cancel any direct payments into a bank account e.g. Carers Allowance, Child Benefit, Tax Credits, Disability Living Allowance. (This white certificate is provided by the Registrar of Deaths)
- The employer and / or any professional association of the deceased.
- The Inland Revenue
- Banks, Building Societies, Investment companies, Credit Card & Store Card issuers.
- The local Council (Housing Benefit, Council Tax)
- Utility companies – e.g. gas, electricity, water, telephone and cable companies. Cancel accounts if appropriate.
- Insurance companies, (including vehicle insurance).
- Social Services/District Nurses – any equipment on loan will need to be returned.
- Royal Mail – if re-direction of post is required.
Other services and items that may need cancellation
- Hairdresser, dentist, chiropodist, optician, home help, gardener, magazine subscriptions, loyalty cards, deliveries of milk, newspapers etc.
Items that will need to be returned:
- Passport – return to The Passport Office, UK Passport Agency, 5th Floor, India Buildings, Water Street, Liverpool.
- Driving Licence – return to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AA
- Blue Badge parking permit
- Vehicle registration documents (to change the name of ownership)
- Car Insurance Policy (to change the policy holder's name or to claim a refund if the vehicle is sold)
- Television Licence (to change the licence holder's name or claim a refund)
- Season tickets and club membership cards
- National Insurance card
- Library cards