What to do in your time of need

The procedure following a death will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the death. A medical certificate of the cause of death must be obtained from a doctor. This certificate will enable you to register the death and obtain the death certificate.

When somebody passes away at home

The family doctor must be informed as soon as possible that death has occurred. He/She may write out the medical certificate of the cause of death upon visiting the home, or may request you to attend the surgery to collect it.

When somebody passes away in a hospice or nursing home

The staff of the hospice or nursing home will inform you of the death of your loved one and will help you obtain the medical certificate of the cause of death. They will also be available to help you and give advice until you are ready to contact us to make the funeral arrangements.

When somebody passes away in hospital

The hospital staff will inform you of the death of your loved one. The deceased will be transferred to the hospital chapel/mortuary. The general office will arrange for the medical certificate of the cause of death to be issued.

When the death is referred to the Coroner

Sometimes the Coroner will need to be informed when a doctor cannot issue the medical certificate of the cause of death. In these circumstances, once the Coroner has determined the cause of death, the Coroner's Office will produce a death certificate. This will be sent by the Coroner's Office to the relevent Registrar's Office, allowing you to now register the death.

Registering a death

If the person died in a house or a hospital, the death can be registered by:

• A relative.
• Someone present at the death.
• An occupant of the house.
• An official of the hospital.
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director.

Deaths that occurred anywhere else can be registered by:

• A relative.
• Someone present at the death.
• The person who found the body.
• The person in charge of the body.
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director.

Most deaths are registered by a relative. The registrar would normally only allow a non-relative if there are no relatives available.

Documents and information you will need

When registering a death you will need to take the following:

• Medical Certificate of the Cause of death (Signed by a doctor).

And if available:

• The deceased's Birth Certificate.
• The deceased's NHS Medical Card.
• The deceased's Marriage/ Civil Partnership Certificate.

Documents you will receive

If a post-mortem is not being held, the registrar will issue you with:

• A certificate for burial or cremation (the green form), giving permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation to be made.
• A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8) issued for Social Security purposes if the person received a Sate Pension or benefits.
• A Bereavement Registration Form.

If a post-mortem is being held to dertermine the cause of death and the deceased is to be cremated the coroner will issue to you a: Form Cremation 6 Certificate of Coroner.

If you require further information please do not hesistate to telephone us on 0161- 681 1864.