Registering a Death
All deaths need to be registered by the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the district where the death takes place. This should be done by a near relative within five days, unless the Coroner is involved.
If no relative is available, then it is sometimes possible for someone else to do it. This could be someone who was present at the death, for example, a senior member of staff from the establishment in which the death occurred or the person making the funeral arrangements but not the funeral director. We can tell you which Registrar you will need to visit. You will need to make an appointment with the chosen Registrar’s Office prior to visiting.
The easiest way to register is online at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/registration
If you would prefer, you can book an appointment by telephone on 01452 425060.
The Registrar will require:
- the Medical Certificate of Death
- the deceased’s Medical Card if available
- full name of the deceased, and maiden name if applicable
- the deceased’s date and place of birth and death
- the deceased’s home address
- if married, the date of birth of a surviving spouse
- the deceased’s former occupation, where relevant
- name and address of informant
- informant’s qualification for registering
Once the registration had been completed, the Registrar will issue a green certificate, which must be handed to us as soon as possible, legally allowing burial or cremation to take place. They will also give you a form to send to the Department of Work and Pensions, with any pension or allowance books.
You may purchase copies of the “Entry of Death” which would be needed to administer the estate and claim insurances or close accounts. It is possible to register the death from a distance if a visit to the local registrar is impossible, however this may mean that a couple of extra days are needed before the funeral takes place. This is known as “Registering the Death by Declaration.”
The Coroner
There are a number of reasons why a death may have to be referred to the Coroner, including unnatural or sudden deaths, regardless of how these may appear to have come about. Under such circumstances, different registration procedures will be necessary. In part, this will depend on whether there is to be a burial or a cremation, or if the Coroner has requested an inquest. A sudden death and the Coroner’s intervention can naturally be very distressing, a post-mortem examination may well be required to establish cause of death.
You may have many questions to ask at this time and we are available to answer these questions and keep you well informed at each step.