REGISTRATION OF DEATH

 

You are legally required to register a death. You need to register a death to obtain documents so the funeral director can proceed with the arrangements and to handle the legalities of a deceased's estate.

 

The following people, in order of preference, are legally required to register the death:

• a relative

• a person present at death

• the occupier of the premises where the death occured (if he/she was aware of the death)

• the person arranging the funeral (this does not relate to the funeral director)

 

 

When registering a death, you must take the following documents:

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (signed by the deceased's doctor) OR HM Coroner's Certificate to enable registration

 

The following documents should also be taken, if available:

• Birth Certificate

• Marriage Certificate

• NHS Medical Card

• National Insurance Number

•  

 Information you'll need to tell the registrar:

• the person's full name at time of death

• any names previously used, including maiden surname

• the person's date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and country if born abroad)

• their last address

• their current/last occupation

• the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner

• if they were getting a state pension or any other state benefit