When should I register a death?

It is a legal requirement that a death is registered within 5 days. Be aware that you need to book an appointment with the Registrar as usually you can’t just walk in to register a death. If the Coroner is involved there may be a post mortem or even an inquest. Every Coroner’s case is individual so there are three options that may be relevant to you. You may have to register the death in the usual way through the registrar, alternatively the Coroner may register the death for you directly. In some circumstances the coroner may issue an interim death certificate with which you can register the death. Because each case is individual we advise you to contact the Coroner directly on 0333 013 5000 to find out what is happening in your case.

Registration must be done in the district where the death occurred. For information and contact details regarding your local Registrar office please see useful contacts.

What does it cost?

There is no charge for registering a death and when you do you will be given a copy of the Death Certificate. We advise that you get at least 4 copies of the Death Certificate because a number of organisations require to see an original. Purchase of extra death certificates incurs a small charge

Who can register a death?

  • A relative of the deceased
  • An executor for the estate or other legal representative
  • The person arranging the funeral (not the funeral director)

Documents you will require

  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate
  • Passport
  • Driving Licence
  • NHS Medical Card
  • Proof of Address
  • Documents relating to receipt of government pensions or allowances

If you can’t find all the above documents don’t worry, you will still be able to register the death.

Information you will require

  • The person’s full name and any other names they may have used
  • Their date and place of birth
  • Their last address
  • Their occupation (last occupation if retired)
  • Details of any pension or benefit from the state
  • Their husband/wife/civil partner’s full name (if the partner is deceased)

Documents the Registrar will give you

Green Form

The Green Form is a crucial document as it enables your Funeral Director to proceed with the cremation or burial. (In the case that the coroner performs a post mortem examination a Green Form will not be issued, instead a Coroner’s form will be sent directly to the Funeral Director). Please note that preliminary arrangements and funeral plans can be made with your Funeral Director before the green form is issued, but the funeral cannot be completed without it.

Once you have receive the Green Form you must give this to your Funeral Director so that they can proceed with the arrangements for the funeral.

Death Certificate (Form BD8)

Find your local registry office

Can we help you?

If you wish to talk to one of our funeral arrangers about our services please get in touch.
01702 436000 Contact us online Get A Bespoke Quote

What to do next

All the contacts and details you will need

Testimonials

To all at Penrose,

A thank you to say how much we appreciated your services. Your care and compassion toward our family will not be forgotten.

Debbie, Jackie and Shelley - March 2023

To everyone at Penrose,

I can’t begin to thank you enough for all your kindness that you showed to me and my family

Kay Dare and all the Family - July 2022
Nathan, Brendan,

Many kind thanks for the service today and your exemplary conduct and utmost dignity at every occasion at Penrose. Please pass the family’s sincere thanks to Jeremy and his colleagues who were fantastic and so mindful of our Hindu traditions – I wasn’t able to catch them at the end of the day but hoping you could relay back to them.
Kind regards
Piyush - June 2021

Dear all,

We would like to thank you for all the care and attention you gave towards our relative Eva Wright recently. You were all most respectful at all times and we greatly appreciated your help before, during and after the funeral. We are also very impressed with the quality of the recordings of the service and in these times it will be greatly valued by the family and friends.

Thank you once again

Sally and Andy on behalf of Steven Wright and family - October 2020

Dear Nathan, Brendon and Jeremy,

You’ve been so kind and it’s much appreciated. Thank you so much for the care and kindness you did at the funeral for my husband Vic Thomson,

From the

Thomson Family - March 2020

To all the team at Penrose,

Thankyou so much for the dignified way that you conducted my husband’s funeral. It was all I could have wished for under difficult circumstances.

Also for the kind and caring attitude you all had towards myself and my family,

Thank you once again,

Frances Curtis - January 2021

To Nathan, Jeremy and all at Penrose,

Thank you so very much for all your care in looking after our beloved Ryan, we couldn’t have hoped for a more beautiful funeral.

with love xx

Jackie, John, Holly and family - January 2024

To Nathan and all at Penrose, I just wanted to thank you for the sensitivity, care and respect you showed my Grannie yesterday. She looked amazing and I’m sure you caught a glimpse of her incredible 100 years as my dad spoke at the grave-side. You don’t have an easy job but I hope you know how grateful people are that you do it so well.

Your manner and conduct was gentle, considerate and supportive, thank you for all you did to make yesterday so special. You have been given the gifting and attitude needed to help bring peace and blessing during difficult circumstances. May you know God’s peace and blessing as you continue to serve others in this way, Thank you

Cally (Winnie’s Granddaughter) - Oct 2016
Read all testimonials
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