Where to register a death?

The death has to be registered before a Registrar of Births and Deaths in the district in which the death occurred.

Who can register a death?

As most deaths occur in a house, a hospital or a residential/nursing home, the law states that a death may be registered by the following: (in order of preference)

1. A relative of the deceased present at the death or in attendance during the last illness;
2. Any other relative of the deceased residing or being in the sub-district where the death occurred;
3. Any person who was present at the death;
4. The occupier of the house or institution where the death took place and who knew of the death;
5. The person responsible for arranging the funeral.

Is there a time limit to register a death?

Yes. It is the duty of one of the above to give to the Registrar the details required to register the death within five days of the death occurring. There are some exceptions to this requirement, and these must be checked with the Registrar of Births and Deaths. The process of Registration will usually take about 30 minutes. An appointment must be made with the Registrar to arrange a convenient time for the registration.

Note: See sections further on that refer to a death being notified to the Coroner

What information will the Registrar require to register the death?

1. Date and place of death
2. Name and surname of deceased
3. Sex of the deceased
4. Maiden name of a deceased woman who had married
5. Date and place of birth of the deceased
6. Occupation and usual address of the deceased
7. a) Name and surname of informant
   b) Qualifications
   c) Usual address
8. Cause of death
9. Certification and signature of informant
10. Date of Registration
11. Signature of Registrar

Will the Registrar give me any documents after Registration?

Yes. The Registrar will issue you with a form that must be handed to the Funeral Director which gives permission for the burial or cremation. You will also be given another form which should be sent to the Benefits Agency in respect of State Pensions or Benefits.

You may also purchase Certified Copies of the Death Certificate needed to sort out the estate of the deceased. (Note photocopies are not always acceptable by some agencies or companies).

Why is a death reported to a Coroner?

A death may be referred to a Coroner for a number of reasons:

1. Where the deceased was not attended during the last illness by a medical practitioner;
   
2. a) If the Registrar has been unable to obtain a duly completed certificate of the cause of death; or
   
   b) Where it appears to the Registrar from the particulars contained in such a certificate, or otherwise, that the deceased was not seen by the certifying medical practitioner either after death or within fourteen days before death;
   
3. Where the cause of death appears to be unknown;
   
4. If the Registrar has reason to believe that the death was unnatural or caused by violence or neglect, or by abortion, or was attended by suspicious circumstances;
   
5. Where it appears to the Registrar that the death occurred during an operation or before recovery from the effect of an anaesthetic; or
   
6. If it appears to the Registrar from the contents of any medical certificate that the death was due to industrial disease or industrial poisoning.

Note; The Registrar is forbidden to register any death which has been reported to the Coroner until the Registrar has received a Coroner's Certificate or Notification that the Coroner does not intend to hold an inquest.

What happens when a death has been reported to a Coroner?

When a death has been reported to the Coroner, he may;

1. Decide that that no action is necessary and will issue a Coroner's Form to the Registrar stating this in order for the death to be registered.
   
2. The Coroner may decide to ask a Pathologist to carry out a post mortem.
   
   If a post mortem is carried out there may be a delay whilst the cause of death is established. The Coroner will then issue a Coroner's Form to the Registrar in order for the registration to proceed.
   
3. The Coroner may decide after considering the pathology report and circumstances of the death to hold an inquest.
   
   If the Coroner decides an inquest is necessary he will set a date will be set for this to take place. During this time the death cannot be registered, although the Coroner may decide to release the body for the funeral soon after the cause is known. After the inquest the Coroner will notify the Registrar so that the death may be registered and Certificate of Death can be obtained.

Note: In extreme cases of hardship a Coroner may issue an Interim Certificate of Death.

Please check with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and marriages regarding any queries concerning registration of death. The address of the Registrar is:

The Register Office.
Shakespeare Street.
Nottingham.
Tel: 0115 9475665

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