Coronavirus Update

A death must be registered in the district in which it has occurred (see details on below). Under normal circumstances the Doctor – your GP or a hospital doctor – will issue a Doctor’s certificate giving the cause of death. This certificate is taken to the Registrar’s Office with, if possible, the deceased’s medical card and birth certificate. If the Coroner is involved and an inquest is held the coroner will release the certificate so you can register the death.

The procedure for registering a death is a simple question-and-answer interview between the registrar and the person reporting the death. The registrar will then issue a disposal certificate (Green) which needs to be given to the funeral director before burial or cremation.

Copies of the death certificate (White) may be obtained from the registrar for:

• Insurance purposes
• Probate
• Solicitors
• Banks
• Post Office
• Savings Accounts, etc.

The cost of a death certificate is approx. £4.00 each. (Should a copy of the certificate be required after it has been filed, the fee is £7.00.)

Who can register a death?

• Close relative of the deceased
• A person present at death
• The person who is to arrange the funeral

Documents required:

• Medical certificate of death
• Medical card (if available) or Birth Certificate

Information required by the registrar:

• Date and place of death
• Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and home address
• If married, full name and occupation of surviving spouse

Certificates – issued by the registrar:

• Disposal certificate for the funeral director
• Social Security certificate to be sent to the Department for Work and Pensions offices with any pension books (BD8)
• Copies of entry of death for banks, insurance companies and solicitors