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What to do when someone dies

How to register a death

If the death has been referred to the coroner ('procurator fiscal' in Scotland), it cannot be registered until the registrar has received authority from the coroner to do so. The funeral director or the coroner's officer will inform the family when the death can be registered, though it may not hold up the funeral.

If the death has not been referred to the coroner, the next of kin should go to register the death as soon as possible. The death should normally be registered within five days.

Ashford Registry Office - Births & Deaths

What to take to the register office

• The 'medical certificate of the cause of death' given by the doctor;
• The deceased person's NHS medical card (if it can be found);
• Any war pension order book of the deceased;
• Sufficient money for copies of the 'Certified Entry of Death' - the death certificate needed where proof of death is required by banks, probate, insurance etc;
• The names of the insurance companies who have cover on the deceased would be helpful.

Information the registrar will require

(PLEASE NOTE. Some of the information described here may be obtained from the deceased's birth certificate and marriage certificate(s))

The registrar requires the following information ...

• The date and place of death and the deceased's usual address;
• The full names and surname of the deceased (and the maiden name if the deceased was a woman who had married);
• The deceased's date and place of birth (town and county, and country if born abroad);
• The deceased's occupation (and the name and occupation of her husband if the deceased was a married woman or a widow). If the person was married more than once, details of the spouses may also be required.
• Whether the deceased person was getting a pension or allowance from public funds;
• If the deceased person was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

What the registrar will give you

In return for the above information the registrar will give to you ...

• Certificate for disposal (green in colour and free of charge) - if the coroner has not already issued one. This should be taken to the funeral director, who in turn will pass it to the burial or cremation authority, so that the funeral can take place.
• Certificate of registration of death (free of charge). This is for social security purposes only. It should be given to the local social security office together with any pension/allowance books. (Keep a copy of the reference numbers on the books just in case you need to refer to them in later correspondence.)
• Any leaflets on state benefits, income tax for widows, etc that may be appropriate.

You can also ask the registrar for ...

• Extra certificates which you may need for the will and any pension claims, insurance policies, savings bank certificates and premium bonds. (Photocopies are not accepted). These certificates must be paid for. You may apply for extra copies later but these will cost more.

Involvement of the coroner

The registrar has to report certain types of death to the coroner if this has not already been done. It may be necessary to delay the funeral if a day and time has already been arranged. Contact the funeral director as soon as possible.

Deaths outside the UK

If death occurs abroad, or on a foreign ship or aircraft ...

• Register the death according to the local regulations in the country and get a certificate of death, and
• Register the death with the British Consul, so that a record of the death will be kept in England. You will be able to get a copy later from the General Register Office at St Catherine's House, 10, Kingsway, London, WC2B 6JP. In Scotland you will be able to get a copy later from the General Registrar Office for Scotland, New Registrar House, Edinburgh EH1 3YT Telephone 0131 334 0380

Stillborn children

If a baby is stillborn (born dead after the 24th week of pregnancy) ...

• Give the registrar a certificate of stillbirth signed by the midwife or doctor, or
• if no doctor or midwife was present, the parents must sign form 35, which can be obtained from the registrar.
• The registrar will issue a certificate for burial or cremation and a certificate of registration of stillbirth. If the parents want to give the baby a name, the registrar will write it on the certificate if the name is recorded in the register.

Useful links

www.kent.gov.uk/death-bereavement

www.direct.gov.uk/death-bereavement