Death is a different experience for everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It can be difficult to know what to do next when someone dies, especially if it was unexpected. Lilley Funeral Directors are here to guide you step by step through the necessary procedures.
What To Do When Death Happens
Death is a different experience for everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. If you’ve recently experienced a death in the family and are looking for some guidance, take a look through our guide below.
How to Register a Death
In most cases, you will need to register the death within five days of its occurrence. It is best to visit the Register Office in the area in which the person has died. This will help stop any delays in receiving the documents.
If the Coroner is involved, you will be advised on when to register the death.
We can help you with the process of registering the death. The guide below will help you through the process, but please feel free to contact us.
Who Can Register the Death?
The following people can register a death:
- Any relative of the person who has died
- Any person present at the death
- A person who lives in the house where the person died
- The person arranging the funeral (this cannot be a funeral director)
At the Registrar’s Office
You should take with you the medical certificate issued by the doctor showing the cause of death and the deceased’s medical card.
You will also require the following information about the deceased:
- Full name
- Marital status
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Occupation
- Maiden name (if female and married)
- Spouse’s name
- Spouse’s date of birth
- Spouse’s occupation
What Will the Registrar Issue?
After the registry entry is complete, the registrar will give you:
- A certificate for burial or cremation (form 9) – a green form to give to the funeral director. If the death has been referred to the coroner and the funeral is a cremation, the equivalent form will be sent by the coroner to your funeral director.
- A certificate of registration of death (BD8 form) – a white form to be completed and sent by you, with any benefit or pension details to the Department of Work and Pensions.
