When a death occurs

When death occurs at home

As soon as possible inform the Doctor that the at home death has taken place.

The Doctor may write out the Medical Certificate of Death on visiting the house, but is more likely to request you to attend the surgery to collect the Certificate.

It is usual to obtain the Doctor's certificate during surgery hours without waiting, providing you take steps to inform the Doctor of your requirements.

When death occurs in a hospital

When death takes place in a hospital the routine is very similar to when death occurs in a home, except you should apply to the hospital for the Medical Certificate of Death and NOT your family Doctor.

Registration

A death must be registered in the district in which it has occurred. Wherever possible this should be done by a near relative. The Registrar will require the Medical Certificate of Death together with the deceased's Medical Card. If you cannot find this don't worry - just explain to the Registrar.

Information that the Registrar will require is as follows:

• The date and place of death.
• The deceased's usual address.
• The full names and surname (the maiden surname if the deceased was a woman who was married).
• The date and place of birth (town and county, or country if born abroad).
• The occupation (and the name and occupation of her husband if the deceased was a married woman or widow).
• Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds.
• If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

The Registrar will issue a green certificate, which should be delivered to our office as soon as possible, and a white Certificate of Registration for D.S.S. purposes. The Registrar will also issue copies (for a fee) of the entry in the Register, which may be needed for legal purposes. These copies will be needed for Life Insurance, Probate, Banks, Pensions, Stocks and Shares, Savings Certificates, Premium Bonds and Solicitors, although they may not all need to keep a copy. The Registrar will advise you on such matters and will issue as many copies as you may require. Click here for details of the Registrars' addresses

H.M. Coroner

There are various reasons why a death may have to be reported to the Coroner by a Doctor or by the Police. First of all, do not forget that the Coroner and his / her officers are working in your interest. The Coroner's duty is to establish the cause of death when a Doctor is unable to certify. In this case the Coroner's officers will want to speak to the relatives and obtain such information that they require. They will then inform the relatives when they will be able to go to the Registrar.

If the wish is for burial then the Registrar will issue a green certificate in the usual manner. However if the wish is for cremation no green certificate is issued by the Registrar as we receive a form direct from the coroner.

When a Coroner decides that an Inquest is necessary, he/she will issue forms as required for burial or cremation and will register the death. Relatives will then only need to attend at the Registrar's office if requiring copies. The Coroner's office will keep in touch with relatives and advise them of what is happening and we are on hand to assist. Usually the Coroner's procedure takes very little time, perhaps two or three days, but on some occasions the funeral may have to be delayed.