Registering a death

Registering a death

It is difficult to know what to do when you have suffered a bereavement. The first step is to register the death within 5 days of the date of death. 

Frequently asked questions

If the death occurred within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, you can book an appointment to register the death.

I need to register a death. Do I need an appointment

Yes, you will need to book a appointment. You can book an appointment online.

What documentation will be issued to me after I have registered the death?

Official copies of the death certificate (£12.50 each) are issued at the end of the appointment.  In most cases, the registrar will also issue the green form required for the burial or cremation directly to the funeral director.  You will also receive guidance about using the Tell Us Once service .

Who can register a death?

By law, only the following people can register a death:

• A close relative
• The person who is arranging the funeral. (such as the person who is instructing a funeral director)

In some circumstances another person who was present at the death may be able to register, but you should first contact [email protected] for further information before booking an appointment. 

 

What happens if there are no next of kin, persons present at the death, or persons responsible for instructing the funeral directors?

In the event that there is no qualified informant, you should talk with the bereavement co-ordinator of the hospital or nursing home where the death occurred, for further guidance. 

Do you offer the Tell Us Once Service?

Yes, Kensington and Chelsea are partners with the Department of Work and Pensions and offer the Tell Us Once Service. See the Tell Us Once page for more information.

The death did not take place in Kensington and Chelsea. Can I still register at Kensington and Chelsea Register Office?

A death can only be registered in the district where it occurred. 

You can use Tell Us Once when someone dies abroad whilst visiting an EEA or Common­wealth country, but had lived and worked in England, Scotland or Wales. It is also possible for citizens who have paid to register the death with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to use the service, regardless of the country in which the death occurred. Please call us on 0207 361 4100 for more information.

The person died abroad but was resident in Kensington and Chelsea. Do I need to register the death in this country?

No, there is no need to register the death in this country if it occurred abroad. You may, however, be able to use the Tell Us Once Service. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

In what circumstances would the Coroner become involved after a death?

Doctors and registrars are obliged by law to refer some causes of death and types of death to the coroner before the registration can proceed. If the registrar has to refer to the Coroner, they will explain the specific reasons to you and ensure that the coroner has your contact details. 

 I do not have a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, but I know the coroners have conducted a Post Mortem. Can I register the death?

You must wait for the coroner to confirm that the registration can take place before you attend the register office. It is advisable to contact us by emailing [email protected] to check that the necessary paperwork has been received before booking an appointment. 

I have been told the coroners are opening an inquest into the death. This will take some time to be concluded. Is there any documentation that will be issued in the meantime to enable us to deal with the funeral arrangements and the estate?

If the coroner decides to open an inquest into the death, they will provide some paperwork for you to arrange the funeral and to deal with the deceased’s estate.

The death certificate will not be available until the coroner has concluded the inquest. See the GOV.UK website for further information. 

Am I eligible for any benefits or assistance with the funeral costs?

The registrar is not able to advise on benefits or assistance with funeral costs. Full details can be found on GOV.UK website.

Can you tell me where someone is buried?

The register office does not retain any records of burials or cremations. If you are searching for a grave or cremation record, you should enquire with the cemeteries department of the local authority in which the cemetery is located or the parish in which the graveyard is situated. 

How quickly can the death be registered?

Legally, the death must be registered within 5 days of it occurring - though this period may be extended in certain circumstances, for example when the coroner has been consulted.  The death must be registered in person by a relative, someone who is arranging the funeral or someone who was present at the death. Appointments should be booked using our online service.

There is no longer a requirement for those registering the death to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause (MCCD) as the hospital or GP surgery will scan a copy of the relevant paperwork directly to the Register Office. We regret that legislation does not allow the death to be registered remotely, such as online, by e-mail or by telephone.

If you are unsure about the time limitations, or think you may not be able to register within five days, please telephone the Register Office on 020 7361 4100 or email us at [email protected] for further information.

Who is able to register the death?

The death must be registered by a qualified informant and this person must be one of the following:

• a relative, usually the closest one
• someone who was present at the death
• someone who is instructing the funeral director
• in rare circumstances another person may qualify as an informant - if you think that this may be the case then you should contact the Register Office for further advice

Important - an executor is not automatically entitled to register a death unless they are also arranging the funeral.

What information needs to be supplied to the registrar?

When you attend to register the death, the registrar will need to see the following documents:

• a ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’ (as issued by the doctor who certified the death)
• if the doctor has had to inform the coroner about the death, the coroner may need to issue another certificate and in that case, the registrar will need the coroner’s document in order to register the death
• the deceased’s NHS medical card (if available)
• it is also useful if you have the deceased’s passport, birth certificate and (if applicable) marriage certificate to hand but these documents are not essential provided you are able to give the registrar the correct information

In addition the registrar will need to know the following information:

• the date and place of death
• the deceased’s last (usual) address
• the deceased’s full names and surnames (and the maiden surname where appropriate)
• the deceased’s date and place of birth (town and county if born in the United Kingdom, and country if born abroad)
• the deceased’s occupation and the name and occupation of their spouse, and of previous spouses (if appropriate)
• whether the deceased was receiving a pension or allowance from public funds
• if the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower

Documents provided by the registrar

After the appointment has concluded, you will be given, free of charge the following

• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Form 9) This is known as the 'Green Form' and gives permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation to be made and will be transmitted electronically to your chosen funeral director or to the crematorium or cemetery office. Therefore, this form won’t be given to you but will be sent directly to your chosen funeral director. However, in certain circumstances the coroner may make one the following available in place of the above:
  • i) an Order for Burial (Form 101)
  • ii) a Certificate for Cremation (Form E)
• A reference number enabling you to use the Tell Us Once service – a free and highly recommended service which will inform the main government agencies of the deceased’s death, all in one go. For more information visit the Tell Us Once page.

If the death has already been registered and you wish to apply for a copy of a death certificate from the Kensington and Chelsea Register Office, see Obtaining a copy of a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate.

If there is anything you are unsure about after reading these FAQs, please call the Register Office on 020 7361 4100 or email us at [email protected].