What do you have to do?

At Home

If the death has occurred at home, you should contact the family doctor immediately.

If the death was expected, the doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which usually needs to be collected from the surgery before registration.

The doctor will also authorise the chosen funeral director to move the deceased to their chapel of rest.

In a Care Home

The procedure is similar to a death at home, except the care home staff will contact the doctor and the chosen funeral director on behalf of the next of kin.

In Hospital

The hospital will inform the next of kin when the Cause of Death Certificate is ready for collection (usually from the hospital before registration).

The hospital may also provide a release form, allowing the funeral director to collect the deceased.

The next of kin should contact the funeral director at their earliest convenience.

In all cases, the funeral director should be contacted as soon as possible—they will guide you through the next steps.

Registering the Death

All deaths must be registered with the Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths in the district where the death occurred. This should be done by a close relative, executor, or someone present at the time of death. An appointment is usually required.

Documents to Bring:

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

Deceased’s medical card (if available)

Birth and marriage certificates (if available)

Required Information About the Deceased:

Full name (including maiden name, if applicable)

Date and place of birth & death

Usual address

Occupation (and spouse’s occupation, if applicable)

Surviving spouse’s date of birth (if applicable)

Details of any pensions or benefits received

What the Registrar Will Provide:

Certificate for Burial or Cremation (required by the funeral director)

A form for the Department of Work and Pensions

Option to purchase official copies of the Death Certificate (needed for estate administration)

Coroner’s Cases

In some circumstances, a death must be referred to the Coroner, changing the usual certification and registration process.

When the Coroner Is Involved:

Cause of death is uncertain, or the deceased wasn’t seen by a doctor within 14 days

Death resulted from violence, neglect, suicide, or suspicious circumstances

Death followed an accident (e.g., fall, road traffic collision)

Death occurred during/after surgery or from an industrial disease

Death happened in police custody or prison

Coroner’s Process:

The Coroner may order a post-mortem examination or hold an inquest to determine the cause of death.

Once investigations are complete, the Coroner will issue the necessary paperwork for the funeral.

Procedures vary by case, so contact your funeral director immediately—they will liaise with the Coroner’s Office and advise you on the next steps.