What to do when someone dies

This information is provided for guidance purposes - individual circumstances may differ.

An expected death at home  

• Contact the GP.
• The GP will attend and ascertain that death has occurred.
• Call the Funeral Director.
• The Funeral Director will transfer the deceased from home to their premises.
• The GP will contact you to confirm when the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is ready for collection.
• Make an appointment with the Register Office to register the death.  This process takes approximately 20 minutes.
• Deliver the Green Registration Document to the Funeral Director.

  An expected death in a Care Home  

• The Care Home will contact the GP.
• The GP will attend and ascertain that death has occurred.
• The Care Home will call the Funeral Director.
• The Funeral Director will transfer the deceased from the Care Home to their premises.
• The GP will contact you to confirm when the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is ready for collection.
• Make an appointment with the Register Office to register the death. 
• Deliver the Green Registration Document to the Funeral Director.

  An expected death in a Hospital  

• The attending Doctor will ascertain that death has occurred.
• The Hospital will provide an information sheet on what to do next.
• Call the Funeral Director.
• The Funeral Director will transfer the deceased from the Hospital to their premises.
• Contact the General Office to make arrangements to collect Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and any personal effects.
• Make an appointment with the Register Office to register the death. 
• Deliver the Green Registration Document to the Funeral Director.

  An expected death in a Hospice  

• The attending Doctor will ascertain that death has occurred.
• The Social Workers will provide information on what to do next.
• Call the Funeral Director.
• The Funeral Director will transfer the deceased from the Hospice to their premises.
• Contact the Ward to make arrangements to collect Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and any personal effects.
• Make an appointment with the Register Office to register the death. 
• Deliver the Green Registration Document to the Funeral Director.

  A sudden death  

• Dial 999 and call for Police or medical assistance.
• The Police will call the duty Funeral Director to transfer the deceased from the place of death to the Hospital Mortuary.
• The Police will notify the Coroner that a Sudden Death has occurred.
• The Coroner will decide whether a Post Mortem examination will be ordered.  The Coroner’s Officer will liaise with you to keep you informed.
• Call the Funeral Director.
• The Funeral Director will liaise with the Coroner’s Office.
• If there is to be no Inquest the Coroner will send the documentation necessary to Register the Death directly to the Register Office.
• Make an appointment with the Register Office to register the death. 
• The Funeral Director will receive confirmation from the Coroner’s Office that the deceased may be released for the funeral to take place.  The Funeral Director will transfer the deceased from the Hospital Mortuary to their premises.
• If an inquest is ordered the Coroner will issue five interim Death Certificates to you and will send the necessary documentation to the Funeral Director to enable the funeral to take place.  It will not be possible to Register the death until the Inquest has taken place.
• When the inquest has taken place the Coroner will send the necessary documentation directly to the Register Office to enable you to Register the Death.

Registering a Death 

When does a death need to be registered?

A death must normally be registered within 5 days unless the Coroner is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Where do I register the death?

Deaths must be registered in the district which they occur.  You can register deaths in Macclesfield at the Register Office, Park Green, Macclesfield, Cheshire  SK11 6TW

This office is open from 9.00 – 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.  Please telephone 0300 123 5019 to make an appointment.

You may visit any other Register Office in England or Wales, who will send the information you give to the Registrar at Macclesfield.  Forms and certificates will then be posted to you.  This procedure may take several days to complete.

How long will it take?

You should allow approximately 20 minutes for the registration.

Who may register the death?

It is preferable for a close relative of the deceased to register the death.  If there are no relatives, then it is possible for other persons to register the death.  Please contact the Register Office for advice.

What will I need to bring with me?

You must bring a medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor who was treating the deceased.  If the death has been referred to the Coroner you will be told what to do by the Coroner’s Officer.

What information will the Registrar need to know about the deceased?

• Date and Place of death
• Full name, surname and maiden surname if a married woman
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and if a married woman or widow, the full name and occupation of her husband
• Useful home address
• If married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
• Whether in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds

Certificates and Forms

A green form is issued for you to take to the funeral director (other procedures may apply if the death has been referred to the coroner).  You will also be given a form for Social Security purposes.  These are free of charge.

The cost of a death certificate is £4.00 each on the day or £10.00 per copy if further copies are required at a later date