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This page has been provided to help you in the coming days & weeks. There are a number of legal obligations to be carried out & this information is designed to simplify & advise you through the procedures.
We are here to help you 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Our office is open 9.00am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday but it is no trouble to open outside of these hours by appointment. Please do not hesitate to contact us day or night on 020 8303 1274.
Registering a death
A death must be registered by law in the district in which it has occurred & under normal circumstances the doctor’s certificate stating the cause of death should be taken to the Registrar’s office with, where possible the deceased’s medical card & birth certificate.
The procedure of registering is a simple question & answer interview between the Registrar & the person who is to register (The Informant). The following information is required by the registrar:
The date & place of birth & death
The full name of the deceased
The home address of the deceased
The marital status of the deceased
The occupation (if any) of the deceased
If the deceased is female, her maiden name & her husband’s full name & occupation.
Married at date of death & date of birth of the surviving partner
In receipt of a Service Pension the Registrar will require the pension book.
The Registrar will issue a Green Certificate for burial or cremation which should be handed to the funeral director as soon as possible.
Copies of the Entry of Death (Death Certificates) may be obtained from the Registrar on payment of the appropriate fee. These copies will be needed for the following:
Probate & letters of administration
Bank & building society accounts
Insurance companies who have issued policies covering the deceased (including private works’ pensions)
Dealing with any stocks & shares owned by the deceased
H.M Coroner
In certain cases a death is reported to H.M.Coroner by a doctor or by the Police. The Coroner’s duty is to establish the cause of death when a doctor is unable to certify. If this is the case you should be kept informed of the situation by the Coroner’s Office & will be informed when you will be able to go to the Registrar.
If the wish is for cremation no green certificate is issued by the Registrar as we receive a form direct from the Coroner, but you must still attend to register the death & will be advised when this can be done.
Inquest cases
When the coroner decides that an inquest is necessary he will issue forms as required for burial or cremation, & will register the death. Relatives will then only need to attend at the Registrar if requiring copies of the Death Certificates.
Benefits Agency
You may be able to obtain help from the social fund to contribute towards the cost of the funeral. In most cases it is unlikely that the amount paid by the social fund will cover the total cost of the funeral. If you are responsible for arranging the funeral & you or your partner are receiving:
Income support
Council tax benefit
Housing benefit
Working family tax credit allowance
Disability working allowance
Job seekers allowance
Clients should check with the Department of Social Security (DSS) as to which benefits apply.
The Registrar will provide you with a White Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8) which is required to claim any Social Fund Benefit & should be taken to your local Department of Social Security Office, together with the following documents (if they are to hand or can be obtained easily):
The deceased’s birth certificate
Social fund claim form (SF 200)
The marriage certificate (if applicable)
National Insurance contribution card
Any DSS pension or allowance books
An estimate of funeral charges issued by us
A claim should be made within three months after death but it is advisable to lodge the claim as soon as possible even if all the documents are not available. Any payment from the fund will normally be paid within ten days & is usually a Giro.
The Social Fund payment is not part of deceased person’s estate & therefore is not liable for estate duty. Any funeral payment which is made can be recovered by the DSS should funds become available from the deceased estate.
You should visit your local DSS office where they will complete the appropriate paperwork with you & give you advice & guidance in this matter.