How a Death is Registered

The death must be registered at the local office of Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the district where the death occurred, as soon as possible usually within 5 days of the death (unless the registrar extends this period). If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the procedure is slightly different. We will advise you concerning this.

​

Who May Go to Register the Death

Regulations state that only certain people can register a death with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

●   Deaths in private residence, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. A relative of the deceased.

●   The occupier i.e. the Matron or Officer in charge of a Nursing Home or Rest Home, provided they knew of the

      illness before the death.

●   The person causing the disposal of the body, i.e. and executor, the solicitor or similar.

​

When You Go to the Registrar

You should take the following:

●   The Medical Certificate of the cause of death,

●   The Birth Certificate (if available).

●   The deceased’s Medical Card (if available).

●   National Insurance Number

●   Any forms given to you, if the death has been reported to the coroner.

​

You Should Tell the Registrar the Deceased's:

●   Date and place of death.

●   Last usual address.

●   First names and surname (and maiden name if applicable). Also whether the deceased was in receipt of any

     pension or allowance from public funds, and if married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse.

​

The Registrar will give you:

●   A Certificate for burial or cremation (know as The Green Form), unless the Coroner has given an Order for

     Burial or a Certificate for Cremation. Whichever form you are given will be needed by the Funeral Director

     so the funeral can be held.

●   A Certificate if Registration of Death. This is to be handed in at the D.S.S along with any pension books.

     You will be able to purchase Certified Copies of an Entry Certificate, these may be required for any pension

     claims, insurance policies or financial matters, normally one or two copies would be sufficient.

●   Bishop Auckland 03000 260 600

●   Darlington 01325 346 604

●   Durham 03000 263 263

​

People to Inform:

There are various people, companies and other interested parties who should be informed of the death.

These may include:

●   Local Social Services if meals on wheels, home help, day centre transport used.

●   Any hospital the deceased was attending.

●   The family doctor.

●   The Local Inland Revenue Office.

●   The Local Social Security Office to cancel allowances, benefits etc.

●   Any employer or trade union.

●   Car insurance company – people driving a car insured in the deceased name are not legally insured.

●   Local Offices of British Gas, Electricity, British Telecom, Royal Mail Deliveries, Local Newsagent.

●   Accountant.

●   Bank or Building Society.

●   Council Tax Office.

●   Employer’s personnel department where an occupational pension was paid from.

​

Things May Need Returning

Items such as order books and giro cheques will have to be returned to the appropriate Social Security Office. A note should be kept of all reference numbers of items returned. The deceased’s passport, driving licence, car registration documents, membership cards and National Insurance papers, must all be returned to the relevant offices. Check for any library books that may need returning. Any N.H.S equipment will need to be returned to either hospital or health centre from where it came.