Post Bereavement

One of the first things that needs to happen when someone dies is for the death to be registered. This process will depend on the location and nature of the death. The death must be registered by the registrar:

• Within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Within 8 days in Scotland

In England and Wales, it is possible to delay registration for a further 9 days provided that the registrar receives written confirmation that the medical cause of death certificate has been signed by a doctor.

Delays due to the involvement of the coroner or procurator fiscal are not counted within these time frames.

The registration should be made in the district in which the death occurred in England unless the death has occurred in a county that has adopted a county-wide system.

If you cannot attend a registrar in the district (or county) in England in which the death occurred you can attend elsewhere and carry out a declaration of the death. You should be aware that issue of the Death Certificate will be delayed as documents must be sent between the registrars in the post. In Scotland the registration may be done at any Scottish registration office.