First Steps
Registering a death
One of the first steps in making funeral arrangements is to register the death with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriage. It is better for us to discuss this with you as it can seem quite confusing. However we have put together the following information to help you.
Note: You may not be able to register a death if the Coroner is involved until they have issued the relevant certificates. Please do not be alarmed if you are contacted by the Coroner’s office, they are there to help you.
Medical Examiner
To register a death the registrar must receive a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (commonly referred to as the MCCD). The issuing GP must, in the first instance, provide this document to the local Medical Examiner for their approval. In most cases, the Medical Examiner will call the next of kin. Do not be alarmed by this call, it is an opportunity for you to discuss circumstances surrounding the death itself and any queries or concerns you may have. Once the Medical Examiner approves the MCCD, they will send this electronically to the Registrar.
Contacting the registrar
It is easier for you to register a death within the county that the death occurred. There are ways to register at a registrar’s office close to you by ‘registering by declaration’. If you are concerned with any aspect of registration, our team are here to help.
If your loved one passed away in the three counties please click the link below to take you to the relevant registrar’s website.
(The website will open in a new tab.)
Certificates you will receive (including the death certificate)
The registrar will issue the informant with:
A green certificate for burial or cremation. The registrar will usually email this directly to ourselves but please instruct them to do so.
A white certificate for Department for Work and Pensions purposes (known as B.D.8).
A certified copy of the entry into the register (the death certificate).
A fee has to be paid to the registrar for every copy that is issued, 2024 cost is £12.50 per copy.
Where the coroner has been involved the certificates may differ.
Details required
The date and place of death.
Full name of the deceased and maiden name, if a married woman.
Date and place of birth.
Occupation and if the deceased was a married woman or widow the name and occupation of her husband.
Usual address of the deceased.
Whether in receipt of any pension or allowance from public funds.
If married, date of birth of surviving widow or widower.
Name of informant, qualification and usual address.
Who can register a death?
A qualified informant must register a death within five days of the MCCD being issued to the registrar. An appointment is necessary.
The people qualified to register a death are:
1. Relative of the deceased present at death.
2. Relative of the deceased in attendance during the last illness.
3. Relative of the deceased residing or being in the same sub district.
4. A person present at death.
The registrar will require the informant to give them a medical certificate of death, the deceased’s medical card and details concerning the deceased – a birth certificate and marriage certificate are both helpful but not essential.
Tell Us Once Service
Dependent on your registration district, quite often the registrar may offer a service called ‘Tell Us Once’. It is a very helpful and efficient service which takes away the need to contact a number of different Government departments, as this is done for you.
Unnatural or sudden death
In this case it is better to consult with your funeral director as soon as possible for guidance, as the coroner will probably be involved and extra time may be needed before the funeral can take place.
