Before you organise a funeral, you will need to register the death and receive a death certificate, unless HM Coroner (or the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) requires a post-mortem examination and/or inquest.
When a person dies, a doctor will complete a certificate showing the cause of death. This is called the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Medical Certificate).
In England and Wales, the Medical Certificate is submitted to the local Medical Examiner, who will independently review the cause of death and serve as a point of contact for bereaved individuals who want to clarify the cause of death, or raise any concerns. Once the cause of death is confirmed, the Medical Examiner will send the Medical Certificate to the Registrar and notify the deceased’s representative that they can register the death. The death must be registered within 5 days of this notification.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Medical Certificate is either sent directly to the Registrar, or given to the person who will be registering the death. The death must be registered within 8 days in Scotland, and 5 days in Northern Ireland.
If you decide to use a funeral director, they usually need the death to be registered before collecting the body.
Make an appointment at the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Alongside the Medical Certificate take the following documents belonging to the person who died with you if available:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate
- Passport
- Medical card or NHS number
- Proof of address, such as utility bill
- Council Tax bill
- A document showing your address
And the following information about the person who has died:
- Their full name, including previous names such as maiden name
- Date and place of birth
- Last address
- Last occupation
- Whether they are getting a state pension or benefits
- Spouse or civil partner’s full name, date of birth and occupation
At the end of the registration, you should receive:
- A copy of the entry made in the death register, commonly known as the death certificate.
- A certificate for burial or application for cremation, commonly known as the ‘green form’.
- OR Certificate of Registration of Death (form 14) in Scotland
Death certificate costs
You need to pay for copies of the death certificate. The cost is £12.50 per copy in England and Wales and £8 in Northern Ireland. In Scotland the first copy is £12, and further copies ordered at the same time are £10 each.
If further copies are required at a later date, the costs remain the same in England, Wales and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the first costs £15, and other additional copies purchased at the same time cost £8 each.
Coroners
Sometimes a death needs to be referred to a coroner, for example if the cause of death is unknown or if the death was sudden or unexplained. If the coroner decides the cause of death is clear they will issue a medical certificate that can be taken to the registrar to register the death.
If the cause is not clear, the coroner is likely to say a post-mortem is needed to find out how the person died. This may take several weeks. After the post-mortem, if no further examinations are needed the body can be released for the funeral.
Sometimes the coroner may decide to hold an inquest, for example if the cause of death is still unknown or the person died in prison. You cannot register the death until after the inquest but the coroner will issue an interim certificate so the funeral can take place and you may be able to access money from the estate.
In Scotland, the system is similar but a Procurator Fiscal takes the role in place of the coroner.
Support with an inquest
In some parts of England, an independent organisation called the Coroners’ Courts Support Service can provide emotional support and practical help to those attending an inquest.
Coroners' court support service
Tel: 0300 111 21412.