What to do when someone dies
Registering the death
If someone has just died and you are unsure what needs to happen first, read The process after someone dies, our guidance based on the circumstances.
Registering a death creates the official legal record that the person has died. It records who they were, when and where they died, and the confirmed cause of death.
This stage is important because it produces the documents needed before many of the practical and legal steps following a death can be completed.
Once the death has been registered:
- the registrar issues the certificate authorising burial or cremation, often called the green form
- certified copies of the death certificate can be purchased as formal evidence of the death
- participating government departments and some public-sector pension schemes can be notified through Tell Us Once
- banks, insurers, utility companies, the Probate Registry and most private pension providers must be contacted separately
In most cases, a burial or cremation cannot take place until the relevant legal authority has been issued. You can still contact Valentines, discuss the funeral and begin making arrangements before registration is complete, but the funeral date may need to remain provisional until the paperwork is available.
Read about bringing your loved one into our care to understand when we can attend and why registration does not normally need to be completed first.
What happens before the death can be registered?
For a death that is not being investigated by the coroner, the doctor who attended the person completes a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
A Medical Examiner then independently reviews the proposed cause of death and the relevant medical records. The Medical Examiner’s office will usually contact the person representing the family, giving them an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns.
Once the cause of death has been confirmed, the Medical Examiner sends the paperwork directly to the registrar and confirms that the family can arrange the registration appointment. The five-day period for registration begins when the registrar receives this notification.
What happens when the death is registered?
The registrar will ask for information about the person who has died, including:
- their full name and any previous names
- their date and place of birth
- their last address
- their occupation
- their marital or civil partnership status
- details of a surviving spouse or civil partner, where applicable.
After completing the registration, the registrar will normally send the green form directly to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority. This provides the legal authorisation needed for the burial or cremation to proceed.
You can also purchase certified copies of the death certificate. These may be required when dealing with banks, insurance policies, pensions, property and the person’s estate.
If the coroner is involved
The registration process may be different if the death has been referred to the coroner.
The coroner may issue the documents required for burial or cremation directly. If an inquest is required, the final registration may not take place until the inquest has concluded, although the coroner can provide an interim death certificate for dealing with matters such as probate and Tell Us Once.
You can still appoint Valentines and begin discussing the funeral while the coroner’s enquiries are taking place. We will liaise with the relevant authorities and explain what can proceed at each stage.
Tell Us Once
The registrar will explain the Tell Us Once service and either complete it with you or provide a reference number.
Tell Us Once can notify organisations including HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Passport Office, the DVLA and the local council. Banks, private insurers, utility companies and most private pension providers will still need to be contacted separately.
Questions about registering a death
The green form is the Certificate for Burial or Cremation issued after the death has been registered. It confirms that the death has been legally recorded and authorises the burial or cremation to proceed.
The registrar will normally send it electronically to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority, so you may not receive a physical green document. The funeral cannot usually take place until the relevant authority has received it.
If the coroner is involved, the coroner may issue different paperwork instead.
Registering a death is free. The green form authorising burial or cremation is also issued without charge.
A death certificate is different. It is a certified legal copy of the entry in the death register, and a statutory fee is charged for each copy requested. Death certificates currently cost £12.50 each in England and Wales.
Certified copies may be needed when dealing with:
- banks and building societies
- pensions and insurance policies
- property and investments
- probate or administration of the estate
- solicitors and other private organisations
You do not need to buy a separate copy for every organisation immediately. Some organisations will return the certificate or accept another form of verification.
Talk to someone who can help
If someone has died or you need immediate guidance, call either of our branch numbers for 24-hour assistance.
You do not need to know what to ask. We will take you through the next steps.
For non-urgent enquiries, you can request an estimate or contact us online. We will respond during office hours 09:00-16:00.