What happens when someone dies

When Someone Dies

24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Step 1. Where has it occurred and what to do? -
Step 2. The Coroner -
Step 3. Registering the Death -

01

Step

Where has it occurred and what to do?

What to Do When Someone Passes Away: New UK Regulations Effective from 9th September 2024

The loss of a loved one is always a challenging and emotional experience. Understanding the necessary steps and being aware of the latest regulations can help ensure that everything is handled with care and in accordance with legal requirements.
Starting from 9th September 2024, new regulations on the certification of death have been introduced in the UK. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate what to do when someone passes away under these new guidelines:

1. Notify the Appropriate Authorities

  • If at Home: If the death occurs at home, contact the deceased’s GP. If it's outside of regular hours, call 111 for assistance. They will provide instructions on the necessary steps and whom to inform.
  • If in a Hospital or Care Home: In these settings, staff typically manage the initial procedures and will guide you through what needs to be done next.

2. Contact a Funeral Director

After reporting the death, reach out to a funeral director to start making arrangements. Funeral directors can offer valuable support and advice, helping you navigate the necessary steps and paperwork during this difficult time.

3. Death Certification Review Process

From 9th September 2024, a Medical Examiner will review the circumstances surrounding the death before a death certificate can be issued. Here’s how this process will work:
  • Role of the Medical Examiner: The Medical Examiner will assess medical records and consult with the attending doctor. They will decide whether the death certificate can be signed by the attending doctor or if the case requires a coroner’s involvement.
  • Doctor or Coroner Decision: Based on the review, the Medical Examiner will determine if the attending doctor can sign the death certificate or if further investigation by a coroner is necessary. This process ensures that all deaths are thoroughly reviewed and appropriately certified.

4. Registering the Death

Once the death certificate has been signed, the next step is to register the death. In England and Wales, this must be done within five days (eight days in Scotland). To register the death, you will need the following:
  • The medical certificate of the cause of death.
  • Personal details of the deceased, including full name, date and place of birth, last address, and occupation.
  • Information about the deceased’s spouse or civil partner, if applicable.

5. Arranging the Funeral

After the death has been registered, you can proceed with planning the funeral. Your funeral director will assist you in organizing the service, whether it’s a burial, cremation, or another form of ceremony. They will ensure all legal requirements are met and that the service honors the wishes of the deceased and their family.

Conclusion

The introduction of new regulations from 9th September 2024, involving a Medical Examiner in the death certification process, will help ensure that all deaths are reviewed and certified correctly. Knowing what steps to take when someone passes away can help you manage the situation more effectively, ensuring all legal and administrative requirements are met with compassion and respect. For further guidance, consider consulting a funeral director or legal advisor.

02

Step

The Coroner

The Coroner's Involvement

The coroner may decide that death was natural and allow a doctor to issue the medical certificate of cause of death. If not, the coroner may decide a post-mortem examination is needed to determine the cause of death. A death will be reported to the coroner when:

The Cause of Death is Not Known
The Deceased Was Not Attended by a Doctor during their Final Illness
Death Was Sudden and Unexplained
The Doctor Treating the Deceased Had Not Seen Them in the 14 Days prior to Death or After Death
Death Occurred During an Operation or Before the Person Came Out of Anaesthetic
The Death Was Caused by an Industrial Injury or Disease
Death Was Violent, Unnatural, or Occurred under Suspicious Circumstances
The Death Occurred as a Result of Violence, Neglect, Abortion, or Any Kind of Poisoning

Death Due to Natural Causes

If the post-mortem examination shows that death was due to natural causes, the coroner will send the necessary paperwork directly to the register office. If the coroner decides to hold an inquest, the death cannot be registered until after the inquest has been completed. They will, however, issue you with an interim death certificate that will be accepted by most banks and building societies. The coroner will also issue the funeral director with the necessary forms for the funeral to take place.

Further Details

Once the coroner has made one of the above decisions, he/she will inform you and advise you of the next steps. When the coroner is satisfied that no further examinations are required, he/she will give permission for us to take the deceased into our care.

03

Step

Registering the Death

The death must be registered in the district register office where the death occurred. They use an appointment system, so please arrange this by telephone. The below lists who can register a death:

A Relative of the Deceased, Present at Death
A Relative of the Deceased, in Attendance during the Last Illness
A Relative of the Deceased Residing or Being in the Sub-District Where Death Occurred
A Person Present at the Death
The Person Responsible for the Funeral Arrangements (but Not the Funeral Director)
The Occupier of the Premises Where Death Occurred

The Registrar's Requirements

This includes the medical certificate of the cause of death. If the death was reported to the coroner, this will have been sent directly to the registrar. Also, if available, take the following:

Driving Licence
The Deceased's Medical Card
The Deceased's Birth Certificate
Passport
The Deceased's Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate (If Applicable)

The registrar will also require the following information:

The registrar will also require:

The Date and Place of Death
The Deceased's Last Address
The Deceased's Full Name and Surname (and Maiden Name Where Applicable)
The Deceased's Date and Place of Birth (the Birth Certificate is Helpful but not Essential )
The Deceased's Occupation (or Last Occupation if Retired)
The Full Name, Date of Birth, and Occupation of their Spouse or Civil Partner (If Applicable)
Whether the Deceased Was Receiving a Pension or Any Other Benefits

The registrar will give you:

A Certificate of Burial or Cremation (Green Form): This should be given to us as soon as possible.
A Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8): This may need to be sent to the social security office if the deceased was receiving state pension or any other benefits.
The Death Certificate (or Death Entry): This is a copy of the entry in the death register. You may need more than one copy for the will, insurance policies, bank, and private pension schemes. These are available, but there is a charge for each copy.
Registration by Declaration: If the deceased was a visitor to the area or if you, their relative, do not live locally, then you may register the death by declaration at your local register office. However, the paperwork will still need to be processed between your local registrar and the registrar where death occurred.

This will cause a delay in you receiving the certificates required to go ahead with the funeral arrangements, so this must be considered when planning a date for the funeral.

List of Contacts

For any other information or advice, please call:

Registrars:

Liverpool Direct - 0151 233 3004
Prescot Registrars - 0151 443 5210
St. Helens - 01744 546789
Sefton - 0151 934 2011/2012/2013

Coroners:

Whiston - 0151 934 2746
Liverpool - 0151 233 5770
Southport - 0151 934 2746
Warrington - 01925 442476
You can also call us on

0151 426 3131