Registering a Death
The days following the death of a loved one can be extremely difficult. However, during these days, it is important that all the necessary legal steps are taken in registering a death. You cannot hold a funeral for your loved one until you have registered the death and received the death certificate.
The process itself is not complex, but it must be done in a timely manner. In England, Wales, or Northern Ireland you must register a death within 5 days, whilst in Scotland you have 8 days. Here at NC Funeral Directors, we are here to help you through this difficult time and answer any questions or queries that you may have.
Registering a Death
When someone dies in England and Wales, the death must be formally registered with the local Register Office, usually within five days of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death being issued by the Medical Examiner’s Office. This legal requirement ensures that the death is officially recorded and allows the necessary documents to be produced for funeral arrangements to proceed. The registration is typically completed by a close relative, but it can also be carried out by someone present at the death, the person arranging the funeral, or an official from the hospital or care home. During the registration appointment, you will be asked to provide key details about the person who has died, including their full name, date and place of birth, last address, occupation, and, if applicable, details of a spouse or civil partner. Once the death is registered, the registrar will issue a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (often referred to as the “green form”), which allows the funeral to go ahead, as well as the option to purchase certified copies of the death certificate for legal and administrative purposes such as dealing with banks, pensions, and estates. In some cases, such as when the death is unexpected or unexplained, it may be referred to a coroner, which can delay the registration process. However, guidance and support will be provided throughout to ensure everything is handled correctly and with sensitivity.
Step by Step Guide to
Registering a Death
- The Deceased Doctor is informed of the death occurring
- The Doctor issues a Medical Certificate Cause of Death (MCCD)
- The MCCD is sent to the Medical Examiners Office. They scrutinise the MCCD and will contact the Next of Kin
- Once they have spoken to the Next of Kin, The MCCD is sent to the Registrar via email by the Medical Examiners Office
- You can now book an appointment to register the death at the Registrar's Office
- Once the death is registered the funeral can take place
Initial Steps After a Death
After your loved one has died, you will need to wait for the Medical Certificate Cause of Death. This will be provided by the hospital or GP, and it will give the cause of death, often a primary and a secondary cause. Without this certificate, you cannot register a death. Usually, this is produced very quickly, but occasionally there can be delays. Most registry offices require you to make an appointment to register a death, You are unable to book an appointment to register the death until the Medical Examiner has email the Medical Certificate of Death to the Registrars office.
Who Can Register a Death?
After your loved one has died, you will need to wait for the Medical Certificate Cause of Death. This will be provided by the hospital or GP, and it will give the cause of death, often a primary and a secondary cause. Without this certificate, you cannot register a death. Usually, this is produced very quickly, but occasionally there can be delays. Most registry offices require you to make an appointment to register a death, and you can make an appointment a few days ahead while you are waiting for the Medical Certificate Cause of Death.
Timeframe for Registration of a Death
There is a timeframe for registering a death and this is a legal requirement, so must be adhered to. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland you must register a death within 5 days. In Scotland, you have 8 days to register a death. You will need the Medical Certificate Cause of Death from the hospital or GP in order to register a death, but this is normally produced quickly.
What Happens if You Don’t Register a Death Within 5 Days?
This will depend on the circumstances of the delay. If it is an intentional delay, or you deliberately withhold information, then you could be liable for a fine of up to £200. If the delay is caused by waiting for the Medical Certificate Cause of Death, then this is an unavoidable delay, and you will be very unlikely to be fined.
Required Information and Documents to Register a Death
When you are registering a death, you need to provide as much information about the deceased as possible. If possible, it would be useful to take their birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, council tax, and driving license. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these documents, but if you do, please take them to the registry office.
Registration Process
Registering a death is done by the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, at a Registry Office. You must book an appointment here and register the death. You cannot do this online, it needs to be done in person. Your appointment will last about 30 minutes and the registrar will explain the process to you, and the next steps to take after registering a death.
How Much Does it Cost to Register a Death?
Registering a death is free, but the death certificates do have a charge. Your local registry office will be able to tell you the cost of a certificate, they are £12.50 each and people will generally have a few copies.
Death in Hospital or Hospice
If your loved one passes away in a hospital or hospice, generally, this death is expected. The attending doctor will likely know the cause of death and will have been expecting this time to come. The hospital or hospice will then be able to produce the Medical Certificate Cause of Death for you, and you will be able to register the death.
Death at Home or Elsewhere
If your loved one dies at home or elsewhere, then it will depend on the circumstances of the death. If the death was unexpected, then the coroner might be involved, in order to discover the cause of death. This can delay matters, but is a valid reason for delay. If your loved one was expected to pass away at home and had seen a doctor recently, then the doctor can issue the Medical Certificate Cause of Death based on this.
If the deceased was receiving a pension, it is important that you contact them quickly after the death or else you will continue receiving the payment, and then will need to pay it back. Banks, building societies will need to be notified to close the accounts. Any services that your loved one received will need to be informed.
You will need the death certificate to deal with the estate of your loved one. Banks, government bodies, and other institutions will need to see a copy of the death certificate in order to close accounts and process any payments. We can advise you if you are unsure who you need to contact to inform them of the death.
If the deceased was receiving a pension, it is important that you contact them quickly after the death or else you will continue receiving the payment, and then will need to pay it back. Banks, building societies will need to be notified to close the accounts. Any services that your loved one received will need to be informed.
Support and Resources for Those Dealing with a Death
It can be an incredibly overwhelming time. We all process our emotions differently, some people like to keep busy, whilst some find it hard to get through the day. If you are struggling, please talk to someone. Our compassionate team are always here for you, or you can contact Cruse, the bereavement support organisation UK on 0808 808 1677 or visit their website for help and support during this time. Grief is a natural process and the emotions that you feel are valid. When we are stressed, upset, or tired, everyday tasks can feel daunting. Don’t try to do everything, take each day one step at a time, and ask for help. Set yourself achievable targets, and be kind to yourself. If you are supporting someone who is grieving, make sure you look after yourself. It can be equally stressful and difficult to support someone who is going through this.
Funeral Director Can Help You to Register a Death in the UK
Here at NC Funeral Directors, we know that this time is extremely challenging for all involved. Having to deal with all the responsibilities in the wake of a death, combined with the complex emotions of grief, make it a very testing time. We are here for you. Whether you want additional practical advice or emotional support, our compassionate and professional team are on hand to help you through the darkest of days. We will be with you and will provide you with as much support and assistance as you need. Whether you are planning ahead and would like to discuss funeral plans, or have just lost a loved one, we are here for you. Simply call our team of funeral director today on 01253 420 450.
