A death should normally be registered within 5 days. You will first need to contact the deceased’s GP or the Bereavement Office at the hospital for an appointment to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. You will then be able to contact the Register Office in the district where death occurred to make an appointment to register the death.
Who Should Register A Death?
Wherever possible a close relative should register a death. If no relative is available then someone who was present at the death can register. If no such person is available the person making the funeral arrangements may register. The person registering the death is known as the informant.
Registration of a death where the death occurs at home, in residential care or in a small community hospital.
If the death occurs while the person is in their home, in residential care or in a small community hospital, the doctor from the practice with whom the deceased is registered must prepare the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The doctor must have seen the deceased within the last 14 days and be aware of the cause of death. If this is not the case the doctor will need to discuss the death with the coroner. Once you have arranged to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death you can make an appointment to register the death in the district where death occurred. If, however, the coroner decides that the certificate cannot be issued then the death will be investigated and a post-mortem will be held.
Registration Of A Death Where The Death Occurs In A Hospital
The larger hospitals, namely the Royal Derby Hospital, Queens Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital (including Hayward House) have Bereavement Services that can arrange the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The Bereavement Services shall arrange for a convenient time for you to collect the certificate and arrange for an appointment afterwards with a registrar on site.
Information required by the Registrar
- The full name and usual address of the deceased.
- Place and date of birth of the deceased.
- Place and date of death of the deceased.
- The occupation of the deceased.
- Whether the person who has died was in receipt of pensions from public funds.
- Your full name and address and your relationship to the deceased.
Documents received after registering a death
- The Certificate for Burial or Cremation (green) that is required by the funeral director. This form is not issued for cases referred to the Coroner.
- The Registration or Notification of Death (white) that is required by the DWP.
- Certified Copies of Entry in the Register required by banks, insurance companies, solicitors, etc. £11 per copy at present.
