WHO CAN REGISTER A DEATH?
A range of people either related to or involved with the deceased can register a death. This person is known as the informant.
– The deceased’s relative.
– An occupant of the deceased’s residential home.
– A senior official from the hospital where the death took place.
– The person arranging the funeral.
– An official person who is in charge of the body.
– A person who was present at the death.
HOW TO REGISTER A DEATH
To register a death in England you will need to make an appointment at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. You can fill out the online form on the relevant website’s below, this will be the details of the person that has passed away and your contact details, and they will contact you to arrange an appointment once they have received the medical cause of death certificate from the doctor. If you would prefer, you can call the registrar to make that initial contact.
The registration process usually takes around 30 minutes, where you will be asked by the registrar to provide information on the person who has died.
Wirral Register Office
https://www.wirral.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-marriages/deaths/register-death
0151 606 2020
Cheshire West Register Office
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/births-deaths-and-marriage/register-a-death
0300 123 7037
WHAT YOU NEED WHEN REGISTERING A DEATH
When you visit the registrar, you will need to take the following documents if you have access to them:
– The deceased’s medical card, if they had one.
– The deceased’s birth certificate or passport.
– Some form of identification for yourself.
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (sometimes referred to as the death certificate), depending upon where the death occurred, will usually be provided by the hospital/hospice doctor or the deceased’s regular GP. This, in most cases, is sent directly through to the registrars via email.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED A DEATH?
Once you have registered the death, you will be provided with a certified death certificate. This is the official documentation to provide for companies and authorities to inform them about the death of a loved one. We advise to get multiple copies of the certified death certificate.
You’ll also be provided with a Registrar’s certificate for burial or cremation (sometimes called the green certificate/form) which you can provide to your funeral director once you’re ready to organise the funeral. It’s official documentation to confirm you have permission for the body to be buried or cremated.
THE COST OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE
Although the registration is free, it costs to acquire copies of a death certificate. It’s more than likely you will need multiple copies of the death certificate as you process each administrative task required when someone dies.
