If the death was expected (e.g., due to a known illness), contact the deceased’s GP or the doctor who has been treating them. You will be visited at the home, by the GP, an out of hours doctor , paramedic or nurse. This is to confirm the death, once completed you may contact us to attend and bring the deceased person into our care.

We are available at any time of the day or night.

The usual doctor attending the deceased person, or the most recent doctor, will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. You will be notified by the GP surgery when this is available for you as this needs to be completed in order for the death to be registered.

The staff of a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, will notify you and the necessary authorities immediately after a death has occurred. 

If a funeral home has been provided to the hospital or nursing home, they will be notified at the time of passing. 

If you are present at the care home when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions about the deceased's wishes and provide details to make funeral arrangements.

If you are not present, a funeral director will contact you by telephone to discuss these arrangements.

• The death must be registered within 5 days at the Register Office for the sub-district where the death occurred.

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death must be given to the Registrar. The death cannot be registered without it.

• If possible, also take the deceased’s Medical Card, Birth and Marriage Certificates.

• The Person registering the death will need the following information:

  • full name and surname of the deceased

  • date and place of death and usual address

  • marital status (single, married, widowed or divorced)

  • date and place of birth

  • occupation of the deceased (if the deceased was a wife or widow, the full names and occupation of her husband or deceased husband will be required)

  • if the deceased was a child, the full names and occupation of the father will be required, or where the parents are not married the full names and occupation of the mother will be required

  • maiden surname if the deceased was a woman who was married

  • the name and address of the deceased’s GP

  • details of any pension apart from a state pension that the deceased may have held

  • the deceased’s religion

The main duties of the Coroner are as follows:

• To investigate all sudden and unexpected deaths.

• To give permission to remove the deceased out of England and Wales.

• Decide what action is necessary following initial investigations of the facts surrounding the death. 

• If necessary, arrange a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

• If the deceased has completed donor cards, or the relatives are aware of a wish to donate organs, contact the nearest hospital immediately to obtain its instructions.

• If the deceased wished to donate his or her body for medical research, it is only likely to be accepted if arrangements had been made prior to their death.