Register the Death

Registering the death is a legal requirement that must be done before the funeral can take place. This step formalises the death.

A. The Legal Timeline

In England and Wales, the death must be registered within 5 days of being contacted by the Medical Examiner (or once the Coroner has sent the necessary paperwork to the registrar).

B. How and Where to Register

The death must be registered at the Registrar's Office in the district where the person died, which may not be the same as the district where they lived. An appointment is required, which can typically be booked online via the local council website once the registrar has received the MCCD.

C. Who Can Register the Death?

The law specifies who is responsible for registering. This is usually:

• A relative (either by blood, marriage, or adoption of the person who has passed away)
• The partner of the person who has passed away
• Someone who isn't related, but was present at the time of passing
• A person who is arranging the funeral
• An occupier of a building, e.g. a care or nursing home manager
• The personal representative of the person who has passed e.g. a solicitor

D. What Information is Needed for the Registrar

To reduce anxiety about the appointment, it helps to know what information will be requested.

Information Required by the Registrar

• The person's full name at time of death
• Any names previously used, e.g., maiden name
• Their date and place of birth
• Their last address
• Their occupation
• The full name, date of birth, and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner

Helpful Documents to Bring (if available)

• The person's Passport or Driving Licence
• Their Birth Certificate
• Their Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate
• Their NHS Medical Card
• A recent utility bill for proof of address

The documents listed above are helpful but not always essential; the registration can usually proceed without them if the informant can provide the correct details.

E. What You Will Receive at the Appointment

At the registration appointment, the registrar will issue three key items:

The 'Green Form' (Certificate for Burial or Cremation)
This is the official permission for the funeral to take place. It is free of charge. The registrar will issue this, often sending it electronically directly to the chosen funeral director. The funeral cannot happen without this form.

Death Certificates (A Certified Copy of an entry of death)
These are different from the Green Form. They are the official proof of death required for administrative tasks, such as closing bank accounts or claiming on insurance policies. These must be purchased from the registrar at a set fee. It is highly advisable to purchase multiple copies, as most financial institutions require an original copy.

A 'Tell Us Once' Service Reference Number
The registrar will provide a unique code to access the free 'Tell Us Once' government service, which simplifies the process of notifying various departments of the death.