Though it is hard even to comprehend yourself that a loved one has died, you will need to go about getting formal proof fairly quickly. This is because few steps can be taken towards making the necessary arrangements for everything from the funeral to finances until you can produce a certificate confirming what has happened.
The steps are as follows:
- Ask a doctor for a medical certificate identifying the cause of death.
- Take this to the Registrar within 5 days of the death.
- Obtain the documents you need.
Step 1: the cause of death
If the death has taken place at a hospital a doctor will usually be readily available to identify the cause and issue a medical certificate confirming this. If someone dies elsewhere then a doctor will usually be called, or the person will be transported to a doctor.
Where the person suffered a known illness, condition or trauma then identifying the cause of death may be straightforward and a medical certificate will issued to you. The certificate is free. You will also be given a Notice, a form which tells you how and where to take documents to register the death.
Post Mortem
If the cause of death is uncertain or unexpected the Coroner will be informed and he may decide that a Post Mortem is needed. This may slow down the time it takes you to get a Death Certificate and affect the date when the funeral can be held.
The Post Mortem examination, or autopsy, is a medical procedure carried out by a pathologist and will involve removing relevant organs and samples for examination to determine the cause of death. A Report setting out the cause of death will be sent to the Coroner and you can obtain a copy, usually for a fee. If the Coroner is satisfied that the person died from natural causes he will release the body and a funeral can be arranged.
Inquest
The Coroner may decide that an Inquest is needed to explore why the person died. The Inquest is not a trial but an investigation into the cause and circumstances of the death. It is held in public and you do not need to attend unless you wish to ask questions or listen to the facts.
If the Inquest takes some time the Coroner may issue an Interim Certificate confirming the death which you can use to sort out financial affairs.
At the end of the Inquest the Coroner will send a certificate to the Registrar so that the death can be registered.
Step 2: Visit the Registrar
Once the cause and circumstances of death are clear, the death can be registered with the Registrar of Births and Deaths. It is usually easiest to do this where the person lived. A list of Registries is available on here . Contact the Registry first to see whether you can make an appointment.
Check with the Registrar or use the Government’s online tool to see who should register the death. It will usually be a relative present at the death or during an illness.
You need to visit the Registrar within 5 days of the death with the person’s information:
- Take the Death Certificate
- If possible also take Birth and any Marriage certificates
- NHS medical number if known
- Full name and address
- Most recent occupation and whether they were claiming any State Benefits
- Date and place of birth
- Date and place of death
- Name, occupation and date of birth of any spouse or civil partner
Once he has these details the Registrar will enter the death in his register. There is no charge for this.
Step 3: Obtain Documents
Once the Register is completed the Registrar will give you:
- A Certificate for Burial/Cremation (the Green Form)
- A Certificate confirming you have registered the death (Form BD8)
- A Death Certificate: a fee is payable and you should obtain several formal copies, as these will be needed to obtain probate and provide proof to some bodies such as banks that will not accept a photocopied certificate. You can get copies later if needed, but it is cheaper and quicker to get them immediately.