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. Wait for the Medical Examiner's office to contact you

To register the death, you will first be contacted by the Medical Examiner's office who will discuss with you the cause of death, they will also verify the medical certificate 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 will not register this type of death as this will be done on the authority of the Coroner.

2. Register the death

When a loved one passes away you need to register their death. You need to do this within five days from the receipt of the medical certificate by the Register Office.

The Medical Examiner's office will provide the Register Office with the next of kin details as held on medical records of the deceased. The Register Office will ring you to make an appointment to register the death.

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.