Registering a Death

How to register a death in the UK

In most cases, a death must be registered within a few days. The exact timescale depends on where the death happened:

• England: usually within 5 days
• Wales: usually within 5 days
• Scotland: usually within 8 days
• Northern Ireland: usually within 5 days

If the death has been referred to a coroner or procurator fiscal, registration may take longer.

In most cases, the death is registered by a close relative. If that is not possible, the registrar may allow someone else to do it, such as:

• Someone who was present when the person died
• The person arranging the funeral
• A representative from the hospital, hospice or care home

What you may need when registering a death

The exact documents and details can vary slightly, but you will usually be asked for:

• The medical certificate of cause of death
• The person’s full name
• Their date and place of birth
• Their last address
• Their occupation
• Details of a spouse or civil partner, if applicable

It is often advisable to buy additional copies of the death certificates at the time of registration, which are often needed when dealing with banks, pensions, insurers and legal matters.

If you need help with the earlier steps, you may also want to read:

• What to do if someone dies at home
• What to do if someone dies in hospital
• What to do if someone dies in a care home
• What to do when a baby or child dies

Registering a death in England

If the death happened in England, it should usually be registered within 5 days unless the coroner is involved.

You will normally need to register the death at the local register office for the area where the person died. In some places, part of the process may be handled over the phone or arranged online.

After the death is registered, you will usually receive the documents needed for burial or cremation, along with information about the Tell Us Once service, which can help you notify government departments.

Registering a death in Wales

If the death happened in Wales, the process is very similar to England. In most cases, the death should be registered within 5 days unless the coroner is involved.

The death is usually registered at the register office in the district where the person died. The registrar will explain what documents are needed and what happens next.

Once registration is complete, you will usually be given the paperwork needed for the funeral to go ahead, and you can order copies of the death certificate if needed.

Registering a death in Scotland

If the death happened in Scotland, it should usually be registered within 8 days.

You will normally register the death through the local registration office. Depending on the area, some appointments may be offered remotely.

The registrar will explain what information is needed and provide the forms required for burial or cremation. You can also ask about obtaining official extracts of the death registration.

Registering a death in Northern Ireland

If the death happened in Northern Ireland, it should usually be registered within 5 days unless the coroner is involved.

The death is normally registered at the local registrar’s office for the district where the death occurred. Once the process is complete, you will be given the documents needed to move forward with funeral arrangements and any official administration.

What if the death is referred to a coroner?

Sometimes a death cannot be registered straight away because it has been referred to a coroner in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or to the procurator fiscal in Scotland.

This may happen if the death was sudden, unexpected, or the cause of death is not yet clear. If this happens, you will usually be told what the next steps are and whether this may affect funeral arrangements.

What happens after a death is registered?

• Finalising funeral arrangements
• Ordering official death certificates
• Informing banks, insurers and pension providers
• Using the Tell Us Once service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

If you are still working through the first steps of what to do when someone dies, you can return to the relevant guidance pages for more support.

Best Funerals is here to help you take the next step

Arranging things after a death can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming. Registering the death is an important part of the process, but you do not have to work everything out alone.

At Best Funerals, we help families find the Best Funeral Director in your local area. We’ve carefully vetted and selected the finest independent funeral directors in the UK.

Each one is a highly experienced, local expert – so you can feel confident you’re in the very best hands and will get the personal care, local support and clear guidance you will need at this difficult time.