What to do when somebody dies

Registration & Next Steps

Many of us are unsure what to do when someone close to us dies, so we’ve created this section to help you navigate the process.

Following the death of a close relative or friend, everything can suddenly become overwhelming and confusing, making it difficult to know what to do next, or even where to turn. Understanding the procedures that follow a death can help put our minds at rest.

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Who do I inform about a death?

When someone dies there are many people and organisations that need to be informed. Make a list of each of these, and work through the list gradually over the following days or weeks.

Below is a list of people and organisations who may need to be informed in case of a death:

Personal

Family members
Friends
Colleagues

Employment & Education

Employers
Employees
Business partners
Educational establishments such as schools, colleges and universities

Healthcare

Health professionals – ensuring you cancel any outstanding hospital, dental, podiatry or other health related appointments
Agencies providing care such as social services, home carers, meal delivery services and day centres

Financial Organisations

All financial institutions where the deceased held accounts must be informed so that any accounts solely in their name can be frozen – this helps to prevent fraud.

Banks and building societies
Insurance companies
Pension providers
Credit card/store card providers
Joint accounts – the other joint account holder should still be able to access these normally

Property & Utilities

Mortgage provider
Local authorities, housing association, private landlord or letting agents
Building and contents insurance providers
Utility providers (electric/gas/water/telephone)
TV and internet providers

Government Services

Pensions
Job Centre Plus
HMRC for tax and child benefit payments
Local government for electoral register, housing benefit, council tax, parking permits etc.
DVLA and car insurance provider
Passport Agency

Other Contacts

Redirection of mail
Registration with the bereavement register
Any clubs, memberships or subscriptions
Social media accounts

Below are the different procedures to follow, dependent on the location of death:

Hospital Death

The hospital staff will inform the next of kin of the death. The bereavement office at the hospital will arrange for the medical certificate of cause of death to be issued.

Unexpected Death

When the death is unexpected, or the doctor is unsure about the actual cause of death, or the person has died suddenly and had not been seen by a doctor in the previous 14 days the doctor will contact the Coroner. The Coroner may order that a Post Mortem examination takes place to determine the cause of death. Once the cause of death has been established the Coroner will issue the paperwork directly to the Registrar, enabling you to register the death.

Home or Care Home Death

If the death was expected due to an illness, you should firstly contact the GP to inform them of the death. The Doctor will attend to confirm the death, and if he/she is satisfied with the cause of death, you will be able to contact a Funeral Director of your choice who will move the person who has died to their funeral home. The doctor will then issue The medical certificate of cause of death which will enable you to register the death.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can register a death?

A close relative of the person who has died
A relative in attendance during last illness
A relative living in the district where the death occurred
A person who was present at the time of death
The person arranging the funeral

Documents required for registration

Medical Certificate of cause of death
National Health Service Medical Card (if available)
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificates/Civil Partnership Certificates (if applicable)

Information required by the registrar

The person’s full name at time of death
Any previous names used (including maiden name)
Date and place of death
Date and place of birth
Their occupation
Details of the surviving spouse or civil partner
Whether they were receiving state pension or any other benefits

Documents the registrar will give you

Once the Registrar has all the information they require, and this has been entered in the Register, you will be given the following:

A Death Certificate

This is a certified copy of the entry in the death register. Additional copies can be purchased if required for probate, bank or building society accounts, pensions or insurance policies. Copies can be purchased at a cost of £4.00 in England and Wales, £5.50 in Northern Ireland and £8.50 in Scotland

The Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation

A green form that gives permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation. This document should be given to the Funeral Director as soon as possible.

A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8)

Issued for Social Security purposes if the person received a state pension. This needs to be completed and returned to the Pensions Department if necessary.

Registrars Contact Details

Dewsbury Registry Office

The Town Hall,
Wakefield Old Road,
WF12 8DG
Tel: 01924 324733
Email: dewsbury.registrars@kirklees.gov.uk

Bradford Registry Office

22 Manor Row,
Bradford,
BD1 4QR

Tel: 01274 432151

Email: registrar@bradford.gov.uk

Huddersfield Registry Office

Huddersfield Town Hall,
Ramsden Street,
HD1 2TA

Tel: 01484 706206

Email: huddersfield.registrars@kirklees.gov.uk

Leeds Registry Office

The Headrow,
Leeds,
LS1 3AD
Tel: 0113 224 3622

Email: register.office@leeds.gov.uk

Moving on from a death

There are no set rules for how to best cope after a death, as everyone’s situation can be so vastly different. This can be a life changing experience, resulting in feelings of confusion, anger, sadness and many others which can make your day-to-day more difficult for a time.

There are a number of services available, with a few detailed below: