What to do when someone passes away
There are a few steps that need to be taken shortly after the death. If the person has passed away in a private residence, then you need to contact the persons GP or out of hours service and explain what has happened. Once a doctor has been to certify death a funeral director can then be arranged to collect the deceased and take them to their chapel of rest.
In many cases the Hospital/Nursing Home or GP involved will help you with these early steps.
Register the death at a registry office
In England and Wales, you normally need to register the death within five days.
It will take about half an hour to register the death.
You need to make an appointment beforehand and the funeral director will provide contact details for the register office in the local area.
If the person died in a Private House, Nursing Home or Hospital, the death can be registered by:
Find the will
The deceased person's solicitor may have a copy if you can't find one. Or find a pre paid funeral plan.
Begin funeral arrangements
In a small number of cases - where the cause of death is unclear, sudden or suspicious - the Doctor, Hospital or Registrar will report the death to the Coroner. The Coroner must then decide if there should be further investigation. The registrar cannot register the death until the Coroner's decision is made.
There are a few steps that need to be taken shortly after the death. If the person has passed away in a private residence, then you need to contact the persons GP or out of hours service and explain what has happened. Once a doctor has been to certify death a funeral director can then be arranged to collect the deceased and take them to their chapel of rest.
In many cases the Hospital/Nursing Home or GP involved will help you with these early steps.
Register the death at a registry office
In England and Wales, you normally need to register the death within five days.
It will take about half an hour to register the death.
You need to make an appointment beforehand and the funeral director will provide contact details for the register office in the local area.
If the person died in a Private House, Nursing Home or Hospital, the death can be registered by:
- A relative.
- Someone present at the death.
- An occupant of the house.
- An official from the hospital.
- The person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
- Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (signed by a doctor).
- Birth Certificate.
- Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate.
- NHS Medical Card.
- A Green Form which enables you to arrange the funeral (if the Coroner is involved, different procedures may apply).
- A form for Social Security purposes.
- Certificate of Registration, certified copies of the entry (Death Certificates) can also be obtained upon payment of the statutory fee.
Find the will
The deceased person's solicitor may have a copy if you can't find one. Or find a pre paid funeral plan.
Begin funeral arrangements
In a small number of cases - where the cause of death is unclear, sudden or suspicious - the Doctor, Hospital or Registrar will report the death to the Coroner. The Coroner must then decide if there should be further investigation. The registrar cannot register the death until the Coroner's decision is made.