When A Death Occurs

What to do when a death occurs

At Home contact your doctor (or the doctor who is on duty) who will certify that death has taken place, and if they are able to do so will issue the Death Certificate. These days most families prefer that the deceased is conveyed to the Funeral Director's chapel at an early stage and this can be arranged at any time of the day or night by telephone.

At a Nursing Home, the above procedure is likely to have been carried out with your permission by the Matron or Warden who will advise of the whereabouts of the Death Certificate.

In Hospital, the nursing staff or the appropriate officer will advise you when and from where to collect the Death Certificate.

In all cases the Medical Cause of Death Certificate must be taken to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for official record purposes.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

If a person who has died was attended during their last illness by a Registered practitioner or if they had been attended during the last 14 days prior to their death then the doctor will normally issue a Medical Cause of Death Certificate.

If this is the case you will need to register the death within 5 days of the date of death and you will need to take with you the following and provide the information required.

1. The Cause of Death Certificate (from the doctor)
2. Date and place of death
3. Home Address
4. Full Name
5. Maiden name (if applicable), Marriage Certificate
6. Date of Birth (Birth certificate)
7. Place of Birth (this would be noted on Birth Certificate)
8. Occupation of Deceased
9. Any DSS Benefit claims
10. Age of surviving Spouse
11. If the deceased was in receipt of any of the following: Government Pension, Armed Forces Pension, Police Pension, Fire Service Pension or Civil Service Pension.
12. Medical Card (If available)

The registrar will need to know the numbers of the pensions so that any adjustments can be made as quickly as possible.

SUDDEN DEATH

If a death occurs and the deceased has not seen a doctor during the last 14 days prior to death then the doctor will not normally issue a Medical Cause of Death Certificate but refer the death to the Coroner.

When this happens the police will be sent for and they in turn will send for a Funeral Director to remove the deceased to a hospital where a Post Mortem will normally take place.

You will need to let your Funeral director know whether you intend for the funeral to be a Burial or Cremation so that the Coroner can be informed and the correct Certificates issued.

You cannot register the death until the Coroner sends a form (Pink) Part B to the Registrar which acts as a Medical Certificate. You can register the death in the normal way.

For a Cremation you will not be given a certificate to hand to the Funeral Director because he will receive it directly from the Coroner.

For a Burial the Registrar will give you a death certificate and also a Green Certificate. The Funeral Director will require this certificate as soon as possible.

This brief explanation is here to help you. Should you have any further enquiries or need further assistance please do not hesitate to call us. We are available 24 hours a day.