What to do when a death occurs.   

 

Please note that the information given below is a guide line only, and we will be glad to advise you in detail if you contact us direct. 

 

How to register a death. 

 

The death must be registered in the area in which the death occurred.  Your funeral director will advise you where to go, and how to make your appointment. 

If the death has been referred to the Coroner, it cannot be registered without official authority from the Coroner’s office. 

 

When you go to the registrar it would help if you took with you 

The Medical Certificate of death 

From  the doctor. 

The deceased birth certificate 

 

The Registrar will need to know 

The date and place of death 

The deceased’s home address 

The deceased’s full name (including maiden name where applicable) 

The deceased’s date and place of birth 

The deceased’s occupation and that of the spouse 

Marital status 

Public pension details 

 

The Registrar will give to you 

A Green certificate for Burial or Cremation (unless the coroner advises otherwise) 

A certificate for Social Security purposes (form BD8) 

 

The Death Certificate 

A death certificate is a copy of the entry in the death register.  If you require a copy, the registrar can issue one, but there is a charge for this service, however most people do require at least one copy. 

 

Sudden Death and the Coroner 

The coroner investigates deaths in the following situations 

If the deceased had not seen a doctor during their last illness or within 14 days before death 

If the death was violent or unnatural 

If the death occurred whilst the patient was undergoing an operation 

If the death occurred whilst in police custody or in prison. 

 

Inquest 

An inquest is an enquiry into the circumstances of a death.   

The coroner will inform families regarding the date of an inquest.