Register the Death
Changes introduced on 9th September 2024 have resulted in a simpler way for deaths to be recorded.
After a person dies a Medical Examiner will check the cause of death to make sure it is accurate.
They will be a senior doctor and they will not have been involved in the care of the person who has died.
The Medical Examiner's office will contact you (usually the next of kin) to explain the cause of death.
They will answer any questions you have about this or the healthcare provided to the person before they died.
The Registrar's office will then contact you to arrange an appointment to register the death and will tell you what documents you will need to bring with you.
The appointment will usually last around 25 minutes.
Once the registration is complete, you will be able to buy copies of the Death Certificate.
The current cost is £12.50 each.
Usually 2 or 3 copies are sufficient for normal purposes when dealing with personal bank accounts, pensions and the like.
The Registrar will give you a "Certificate for Burial or Cremation", known as the Green Form. This form gives us the authority to officially go ahead with the Funeral Arrangements.
Though we are, of course, happy to have these discussions as soon as you feel you would like to.
If the death is unexpected or the Medical Examiner can't confirm the cause of death then the Coroner will be involved and if they decide that the case needs their further involvement they will issue an
Interim Death Certificate instead of the Green Form.
If an inquest hearing has to be held, the Coroner will register the death.
You will be able to order Death Certificates once the hearing is complete.
Who Can Register the Death?
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usually a relative or partner of the deceased
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a person present at the death
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the occupier of the house where the death took place
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the person who is arranging the Funeral and instructs the Funeral Director
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a personal representative of the deceased, for example, a Solicitor or Funeral Director.
When the death has been registered several government departments and local services need to be informed. This may be done via the "Tell Us Once" service.
The Registrar will issue you with a "Tell Us Once" reference number. You can make an online registration or you can call DWP for free (Department for Work and Pensions).
You can use this reference number up to 28 days after registering the death.
Register Offices locally:
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Retford - Retford Council Office, 17b The Square DN22 6DB
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Newark - The Gilstrap, Castle Gate NG24 1BG
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Worksop - Memorial Avenue S80 2BP
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Mansfield - County House, 100 Chesterfield Road South NG19 7DN
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Doncaster - Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
Sometimes the process of dealing with aspects other than the actual Funeral details may be overwhelming.
The following Government website
might be useful and deals with
Bereavement benefits
How to deal with benefits, pension and taxes
Bereavement support and services
Inheritance tax
Probate
Dealing with the estate