Registering a death uk

When and where to register a death in the uk

In England and Wales, you need to be registering the death within five working days. It’s best to go to the register office in the area where the person died, otherwise it may take longer to get the documents you need and this could delay the funeral.

What To Do First

If your loved one dies in Hospital

If the person dies in hospital, the hospital staff will contact the person named by the deceased as next of kin. The hospital will keep the body in the hospital mortuary until the executor arranges for it to be taken away. Nearly all funeral directors have a chapel where theyb will hold the deceased until the funeral. The hospital will arrange for the Next of kin or a relative of the deceased to collect all of his or her items.

If your loved one friend was critical or was expecting to die.

If the death was expected, call the doctor who was responsible for the deceased during their final stages of the illness. The Doctor then needs to confirm the cause of death and give the following

Medical Certificate – that shows the cause of death and a formal notice
If the death followed illness from HIV or AIDS there may be special rules for handling the body. The following organisations can advise on funeral arrangements:

Unexpected Death

If you discover a body or the death is sudden or unexpected, you should contact the following people:

the family
the police, who will help to find the people listed above if necessary
Next of Kin

If there is any reason to suspect that the death was not due to natural causes, do not touch or remove anything in the room.

They will then do a post mortem to reveal cause of death.

Registering a death To A Coroner

In any of the following circumstances the doctor may report the death to the coroner.

an accident or injury
an industrial disease
during a surgical operation
before recovery from anaesthetic
if the cause of death is unknown
the death was sudden or unexpected

When Does The Death Need To Be Registered?

Normally within 5 days unless the Coroner is investigating the circumstances relating to the death. This 5 day period may be extended to 14 days.

Who Must Register The Death?

People with legal responsibility to register include:

A relative/family
A person present at the death

What Documents Do I Bring To The Register Office?

The medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor treating the person who has died.
This is essential – the Registrar can do nothing without it.
(If the Coroner is involved, the Coroner’s Office will advise you what to do).
The deceased person’s birth certificate or passport (if available) can be helpful.
The deceased person’s medical card (don’t worry if this is not available).

For more info Please see

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/AdvancedSearch/Searchresults/index.htm?fullText=what+to+do+if+someone+dies

For more information on registering a death and the probate process please contact us on 0800 731 8722