If someone dies at home or in a nursing home, what happens next will depend on whether the death was expected or unexpected.

 When the Death Was Expected

 If the death was expected, for example following an illness or a period of palliative care, a qualified healthcare professional will need to confirm that the person has died.

Once the death has been confirmed and you have been advised that it is appropriate to do so, you can contact us. We will arrange a suitable time to bring your loved one into our care.

 We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will guide you through what happens next.

 When the Death Was Unexpected

 If someone dies unexpectedly at home, you should contact the appropriate emergency or medical services.

An unexpected death may need to be referred to the Coroner. Depending on the circumstances, the police may also attend. This is a normal part of the procedure following certain unexpected deaths and does not necessarily mean there are suspicious circumstances.

Once the relevant authorities have completed the necessary procedures, you will be advised when funeral arrangements can proceed.

 Changes to the Registration of Deaths

 The process for registering a death in England and Wales changed on 9 September 2024.

All deaths are now independently reviewed. For deaths that do not require investigation by a Coroner, this review is carried out by a Medical Examiner.

An attending medical practitioner who is able to establish the cause of death will propose the cause and complete the necessary medical documentation.

The Medical Examiner, who is a senior doctor independent of the care provided to the person who has died, will review the proposed cause of death.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will offer the deceased’s representative an opportunity to discuss the cause of death, ask questions and raise any concerns about the care provided. This conversation is voluntary.

Once the Medical Examiner has completed the review, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be sent directly to the relevant Register Office. The Medical Examiner’s Office will then advise the deceased’s representative that the death can be registered.

Once you have been advised that the death can be registered, it should normally be registered within five days.

When the Coroner is Involved

Some deaths must be reported to a Coroner. This may happen where:

• The cause of death is unknown
• The death was sudden or unexpected and the cause is unclear
• The death may have been violent or unnatural
• The death resulted from an accident or injury
• The death may be related to an industrial disease
• There are other circumstances that require further investigation
•  

A referral to the Coroner does not necessarily mean that a post-mortem examination or inquest will be required.

The Coroner will consider the circumstances and decide whether further investigation is necessary.

If the Coroner decides that an investigation is not required, the death will return to the Medical Examiner process so that it can be registered.

If the Coroner establishes the cause of death and decides that an inquest is not required, the necessary information will be provided to the registrar.

If further investigation is required, the Coroner may arrange a post-mortem examination or open an inquest. The person who has died will be released for burial or cremation once the Coroner has completed the examinations that are necessary.

We will help guide you through the funeral arrangements and liaise with the relevant authorities where appropriate.

Who Can Register a Death?

A relative will normally register the death.

If a relative is unable to do so, there are other people who may be permitted to register it depending on the circumstances. The Register Office can advise you who is eligible if you are unsure.

Information You May Need

When registering the death, you will usually be asked to provide information about the person who has died, including:

• Their full name and any previous names
• Their date and place of birth
• Their date and place of death
• Their usual address
• Their last occupation
• The name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner, where applicable
• Details of any relevant state pension or benefits
• The date of birth of a surviving spouse or civil partner, where applicable

You may also be asked for supporting information or documents. The Register Office will advise you what is required when arranging the registration.

Death Certificates and Funeral Documentation

Following registration, you will be able to purchase certified copies of the death certificate. These may be required by banks, insurance companies, pension providers and organisations involved in administering the estate.

Certified copies of a death certificate currently cost £12.50 each. As this is a nationally set fee, it may change in the future.

The registrar will also issue the necessary Certificate for Burial or Cremation, often referred to as the “green form”. This is required before the funeral can take place and will need to be provided to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority as appropriate.

We will guide you if you are unsure what documentation needs to be provided to us.

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to notify most government departments and local council services about a death in one go.

When the death is registered, the registrar will explain the service and will either complete the process with you or provide a unique reference number so that you can use the service yourself.

You will still need to contact organisations outside government separately, such as banks, insurance companies, utility providers and private pension providers.

When someone dies in hospital, the hospital’s bereavement team will usually contact the family to offer guidance and explain what happens next.

In most cases, we are unable to bring the person who has died into our care until the necessary medical and registration procedures have been completed. If you are unsure about any part of the process, please contact us and we will be happy to guide you.

Changes to the Registration of Deaths

The process for registering a death in England and Wales changed on 9 September 2024. Most deaths that are not investigated by a Coroner are now independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner before they can be registered.

An attending medical practitioner will propose the cause of death and complete the necessary medical documentation.

The Medical Examiner, who is a senior doctor independent of the care provided to the person who has died, will then review the proposed cause of death.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will offer the deceased’s representative an opportunity to discuss the cause of death, ask questions and raise any concerns about the care provided. This conversation is voluntary.

Once the Medical Examiner’s review has been completed, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be sent to the relevant Register Office and the deceased’s representative will be advised that the death can be registered.

Once you have been advised that the death can be registered, it should normally be registered within five days. 

When the Coroner is Involved

 Some deaths must be reported to a Coroner. This may happen where:

• The cause of death is unknown
• The death may have been violent or unnatural
• The death was sudden or unexpected and the cause is unclear
• The death occurred during or following certain medical procedures
• The death may be linked to an industrial disease
• There are other circumstances requiring investigation

Being referred to the Coroner does not necessarily mean that there will be a post-mortem examination or an inquest.

The Coroner will consider the circumstances and decide whether further investigation is required.

If the Coroner establishes the cause of death and decides that an inquest is not required, the necessary information will be provided to the registrar so that the death can be registered.

If a post-mortem examination is required, the Coroner will release the person who has died for the funeral once the necessary examinations have been completed and no further examination is required.

If an inquest is necessary, the Coroner may provide an interim death certificate while the investigation continues. A funeral can usually take place once the Coroner has authorised the release of the person who has died.

We will liaise with the relevant authorities where appropriate and help guide you through the funeral arrangements.

Who Can Register a Death?

A relative will normally register the death.

If a relative is unable to do so, there are other people who may be permitted to register it depending on the circumstances. The Register Office can advise you who is eligible if you are unsure.

Information You May Need

When registering a death, you will usually be asked to provide information about the person who has died, including:

• Their full name and any previous names
• Their date and place of birth
• Their date and place of death
• Their usual address
• Their last occupation
• The name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner, where applicable
• Details of any relevant state pension or benefits
• The date of birth of a surviving spouse or civil partner, where applicable

You may also be asked for supporting information or documents. The Register Office will advise you what is required when arranging the registration. 

Death Certificates and Funeral Documentation

Following registration, you will be able to purchase certified copies of the death certificate. These may be required by banks, insurance companies, pension providers and organisations involved in administering the estate.

Certified copies of a death certificate currently cost £12.50 each. As this is a nationally set fee, it may change in the future.

The registrar will also issue the necessary Certificate for Burial or Cremation, often referred to as the “green form”. This is required before the funeral can take place and will need to be provided to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority as appropriate.

We will guide you if you are unsure what documentation needs to be provided to us.

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to notify most government departments and local council services about a death in one go.

When the death is registered, the registrar will explain the service and will either complete the process with you or provide a unique reference number so that you can use the service yourself.

You will still need to contact organisations outside government separately, such as banks, insurance companies, utility providers and private pension providers.

Below you can find details of Registration Offices covering the areas we serve.

Registration is by appointment. Please check the relevant local authority website for the latest information and appointment availability before travelling.

If you’re unsure which Registration Office you need to contact, or what you need to do next, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.

Deaths at Royal Derby Hospital

If someone dies at Royal Derby Hospital, the death is registered within the Derby registration district. Following completion of the required Medical Examiner process, you will be advised when the death is ready to be registered. Registration is through Derby Register Office at Riverside Chambers, Full Street, Derby, DE1 3AF, rather than at the hospital itself.

Understanding Probate

Probate is the legal process that may be required to give someone authority to deal with the money, property and possessions (the estate) of a person who has died.

Do I need probate?

Not every estate requires probate. Whether it is needed will depend on factors including how assets were owned, their value and the requirements of banks and other organisations holding the deceased’s assets.

If there is a will, the people named as executors will usually deal with the estate. If there is no will, different rules determine who can apply to administer it.

Paying funeral costs before probate

It may be possible for a bank or building society to pay funeral costs directly from the deceased’s account before probate has been granted. Each financial institution has its own requirements, so you should contact the deceased’s bank or building society to find out what documents they need.

Applying for probate

Applications can normally be made online or by post. The process differs depending on whether the person left a will, the value and nature of their estate and whether Inheritance Tax information needs to be provided.

For the latest information about probate, current fees and Inheritance Tax requirements, visit the official GOV.UK probate guidance.

When to seek professional advice

You may wish to speak to a solicitor or probate specialist where an estate is complex, Inheritance Tax may be payable, there is a dispute, the will is unclear, or the estate includes business or overseas assets.

This information is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice.