Where do I start?

When a loved one passes away, there are three main things you must do in the first few days of their passing:

1. Get a medical certificate from a GP or hospital doctor

To register the death, you will be required to produce a certificate of the cause of death, issued by a medical practitioner, which could be the local GP or a doctor from the hospital.

In cases of a sudden death, accident or when the cause of death isn't known, it may result in the Coroner being notified. If this is the case, then the Coroner may issue an alternative certificate - Coroner's Inquest Form - you'll need this to register the death.

2. Register the death

When a loved one passes away you need to register their death. You need to do this within five days of their passing.

You can get the address of the local registrar from either their GP, the hospital, the phone book or by visiting www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages.

When you register the death you will be given a Certificate of Registration of Death. You will need this before a funeral can take place.

3. Arrange the funeral

To arrange the funeral you can use a funeral director or you can arrange it yourself. You must give the Certificate of Registration of Death to the funeral director, or if you are arranging the funeral yourself, this must be given to your local cemetery or crematorium.