Registering a death | What to do after someone dies

When you have suffered a bereavement, it is very difficult to know what to do first. We've put together this guide to assist you in registering the death and to answer your immediate questions.

Death registration process

Death registrations are usually processed in a two-stage process:

Step 1 - Telephone call

The informant Will have a call with one of your local council's registrars to gather the necessary details and schedule a convenient appointment. During this call, everything Will be thoroughly explained.

Step 2 - In-person appointment

Attend the local council office to review and sign the register page. Death certificates cost around £12.50 each and payment Will be by card only.

The paperwork required by your Funeral Director Will usually be emailed to them directly, immediately after the second stage of your appointment.

FAQs about registering a death

Who is able to register a death?

A relative of the deceased Will usually register the death. If this is not possible, other individuals may qualify. Contact your local Register Office for further information.

Where can I register the death?

The death must be registered within the district it occurred. If you are unable to visit the Register Office in that district, you may go to any Register Office in England or Wales. This is called registering a death by declaration. The Registrar Will forward the information to the relevant Registration District, and the necessary documents Will be sent to you by post. Registering by declaration may result in delays.

When must I register the death?

Every death should normally be registered within five days unless a coroner is investigating the circumstances leading to the death.

What questions Will I be asked by the Registrar?

The Registrar Will need to know:

The date and place of death
The deceased's last (usual) address
The deceased's full name(s) and surname (and the maiden surname)
The deceased's date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK, and country if born abroad)
The deceased's occupation and the name and occupation of their spouse, and of previous spouse(s) as appropriate
Whether the deceased was receiving a pension or allowance from public funds
If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
Other statistical information

You might be interested in reading: How to Find Out if a Person is Deceased Online

What documents Will I need to produce?

Medical certificate of the cause of death

Issued by the doctor who certified the death, emailed directly by the Hospital/Medical Examiner Service/GP. Do not collect this yourself.

Optional documents: Deceased's birth and, if applicable, marriage certificate(s). These are not essential but helpful.

Coroner's certificate

If the death was referred to the Coroner, this certificate is required.

Supporting documents relating to the deceased (birth certificate, passport, marriage/civil partnership certificate, proof of address) are helpful but not essential.

What documents Will the Registrar give me?

Certificate for burial or cremation: Permission for the body to be buried or cremated, emailed directly to the Funeral Director.
Certificate of registration of death: For social security purposes.

What about death certificates?

Registration of the death is free, but copies of the death certificates cost around £12.50 each. Death certificates may be needed for the Will, pension claims, insurance policies, bank accounts, and premium bonds. It is easier to purchase these copies at the time of registration, but they Will be available if further copies are required later.Certificates are sent 15 working days after you apply. If you need the certificate sooner, you can use the priority service for £38.50.

Tell Us Once service

When someone has died, the Registrars can help notify the necessary people through the "Tell Us Once" service. After registering the death, you Will be given an access code to complete this process online at home.

Who can be notified of the death?

Department for Work & Pensions: Bereavement Benefit, State Pension, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension, Disability & Carers Service, Overseas Health Team.
Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit, Personal Taxation.
Service Personnel & Veterans Agency: War Pensions Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Armed Forces Pension Scheme.
Local Council Services: Adult Services, Children's Services, Electoral Services, Libraries, Council Tax, Housing & Council Tax Benefit, Lifeline, Blue Badge scheme, Housing Advice, Concessionary Travel, Parking Permits, Local Government Payroll & Pensions.
DVLA: Driving Licence.
Identity & Passport Service: UK Passport.
Housing Associations

What information is needed for Tell Us Once?

The deceased's National Insurance number and date of birth
Details of any benefits they were receiving
Their Passport or Passport number and town or country of birth
The Driving Licence or Driving Licence number, if applicable

You may also be asked for information about:

The deceased's next of kin
A surviving husband/wife or civil partner
The person dealing with their estate

Create a death notice with Death-Notices.co.uk

After registering a death, it can be comforting to create a lasting tribute to honour the memory of your loved one. Death-Notices.co.uk provides an easy-to-use platform for creating a personalised death notice. Here’s how you can do it:

Head over to Death-notices.co.uk and select "Create a Notice"
Enter the details - You’ll need basic information such as the deceased’s name, date of birth, and date of passing. You can also add a personal message or tribute to celebrate their life.
Upload a photo - If you wish, you can upload a cherished photograph to accompany the death notice.
Share the notice - Once the notice is published, you can easily share it with family and friends via social media or email, ensuring everyone can access it.

Creating a death notice is a meaningful way to pay tribute and allow others to express their condolences. Visit Death-Notices.co.uk to get started.