We know there's a lot to get your head around
When a person dies, there are a lot of practical things that you need to do, such as getting a medical certificate and registering their death. And when you’re grieving, this can feel overwhelming. In this section you’ll find information to help make this part of the journey a little bit easier.
Practical information
The medical certificate shows the cause of death and makes it possible for you to register the death of your loved one. The person who issues the medical certificate will depend on where they died:
- At the hospice – hospice staff
- At home – the GP
- In hospital – the hospital doctor
The medical examiner’s role is to independently review the cause of all deaths. If you’re listed as next of kin for your loved one, the medical examiner will get in touch with you to talk through the death certificate – discussing the cause of death, the care your loved one received and answering any questions you have. They will then confirm the certificate and pass it onto the registrar.
Sometimes we, or the medical examiner, might refer a death to the coroner – this is routine for some diseases like mesothelioma, or if the cause of death is unknown. This is normally nothing to worry about, it just means the coroner needs to authorise the death certificate. Talk to one of our team if you’d like to find out more about this process.
Deaths must be registered within five days by a relative, someone who was present at the death, or the person making funeral arrangements with the funeral directors. Ideally this should be done at the registry office that’s local to where your loved one died. The registrars should get in touch with you on receipt of the medical certificate, but you can also make an appointment with them.
When registering your loved one’s death you will
need the following information:
- Their full name (and any names previously used)
- Their date and place of birth
- Their marital status, plus the name and address of their spouse or civil partner (if applicable)
- Their last address
- Their occupation
- Their National Insurance (NI) number and NI number of any surviving spouse or civil partner
Once the registrar has everything they need they will issue you with a death certificate and a green certificate for burial
or cremation.
You will need to tell various people and organisations that your loved one has died. You might not need to notify everyone on this list but hopefully it’s a helpful reference point for you.
‘Tell Us Once’ Service
A free government service that notifies the following
services in one go:
– State Pension
– Personal Taxation
– Council Tax
– Passport
– Driving Licence
– Blue Badge
– Electoral Register
You will need to register the person’s death before
using this service; the Registrar will then give you a unique reference number.
www.gov.uk/tell-us-once
0800 085 7308
Banks, building societies or mortgage provider
All assets will be frozen until the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration are granted. If there is a joint bank or building society account, the partner can continue to draw cash.
Solicitor
A solicitor or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau can help with any legal issues or questions. They will also be able to advise you if you need to apply for a Grant of Probate – if there is a Will – or for Letters of Administration – if there isn’t a Will.
Credit/ store card, loan providers, national savings, premium bonds
Employer
Check if there is any salary or pension due.
Doctor, Hospital(s), Dentist, Optician, Podiatrist
Social Services
Cancel home care or day centre services or private carers if applicable.
Schools and teachers
School staff will be able to support a child or young person better if they know about a death.
Insurance company including house and motor insurance
Mobile phone provider, telephone company, TV
subscriptions, internet provider
Royal Mail redirection or suppression service
Council Housing Office, Landlord or Housing Association
Child Support Agency
UK Border Agency
Library, subscriptions, clubs
