When someone dies, there are a range of legal and administrative tasks to complete, despite the fact that you will often be in a state of distress. It can help to have guidance to navigate this challenging time, including ensuring the death is legally registered.
What happens when someone dies?
Usually, after someone dies, a pathologist will investigate the cause of death. They will contact you with the results, and inform you that the death can now be registered officially, which you should do within five days. This can be delayed to nine days if a medical certificate has not been issued. You cannot arrange a funeral without registering the death, or if there is an ongoing coroner’s inquiry.
Who can register the death?
Registering a death is normally conducted by a close relative, but may be performed by someone who was there at the time of death, who found the body, who is organising the funeral, or the administrator of a hospital if the person died there. A London law firm such as https://www.forsters.co.uk may be able to advise you on the process.
Where should the death be registered?
You should contact a registry office, preferably the one local to the person who died. The registrar will be able to tell you what information and documents they require. The process should take about 30 minutes, and the death certificate will cost £11.
What do you need to register a death?
The register will require the person’s current full name, plus any previous names they may have used, such as their maiden name. You also need their date of birth, place of birth, final address, details of any spouse or civil partner, and information about any benefits they were claiming, including the State Pension. You may need to provide your own proof of identity, as well as supporting documents such as the deceased’s birth certificate or passport.
The process of registering a death is relatively quick and does not have to be complicated, but as it is an official legal process, you need to ensure it is done correctly.
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