Normally you will need to Register the Death before the funeral can be carried out.
See the Coroner page if the Coroner is involved.
During the Covid Pandemic deaths were registered over the phone but now must be registered in a to face to face meeting. The death should be registered in the district where death occurs.
Place of Registration
A death must usually be registered in the district where it occurs (possibly at the home town,
if death occurs away from home) We will provide the necessary address and times of opening.
It can be done out of area by declaration at another registry office if it is more convenient though this process may delay proceedings.
Information Required at the Registrars
- Doctor's or Coroner's Cause of Death Certificate.
- National Insurance Number.
- Full Christian names and Surname (and Maiden Surname where applicable).
- Date of Birth and Place of Birth (Town or District - not the address).
- Home address and Occupation now or before retirement (and if the deceased was a married woman or a widow, the name and occupation of her husband).
- If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.
- What state benefits being received, e.g. pensions, allowances.
- Details and relationship of the person registering - photographic ID is preferred.
Persons Eligible to Register
Any relative (some registrars prefer the nearest relation).
Any person present at death Matron, Owner, Landlady of Nursing Home or Hotel.
Executor/Executrix
Documents Issued by Registrar
Two special documents issued free:
Certifcate for Burial or Cremation (coloured green)
Must be given to us to enable the funeral to proceed.
Certifcate for the D.S.S. (coloured white)
Please complete the back of the certificate and send with pension or benefit books to the local D.S.S. Office or you may prefer to notify government agencies online through the "Tell us Once" service.
Tell Us Once
is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. If the service is available in your area, the registrar will give you a reference number to access the website.
Information you will need to gain access:
- the Tell Us Once reference number given to you by the registrar
- name, date of death and National Insurance Number of the deceased
- contact details, date of birth or National Insurance Number of the next of kin (closest relative by blood or marriage)
- details of the person or company dealing with the deceased's property, belongings and money (estate)
Then chargeable certificates (as many as purchased):-
Copies of the Death Certificate
Death Certificates may be purchased to deal with Probate, or Banks, Building Societies and Insurance Companies etc. Currently £11 each
Photocopies may not be acceptable to some organisations, nor are they obliged to return originals, though they usually do so.