When someone passes away, the doctor will complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it directly to the Medical Examiner Service. All deaths not referred to the coroner are reviewed by a Medical Examiner, who will contact you, the next of kin, to discuss any concerns and confirm the cause of death. After the review, the Medical Examiner sends the MCCD direct to the registrar. Once the registrar has the necessary documentation, they will contact you to arrange an appointment to register the death. Please wait for this contact before booking an appointment. Documents such as the birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), medical card and NHS numbers are helpful but may not be required due to the new streamlined process.

The death will need to be registered within the district where the death occurred, within five days of being notified by the registrar. The information required by the registrar will include the full name of the deceased and their maiden surname, if they had been a married woman, and any previous names used. You will also need to know their usual address, date and place of birth, the date and place of death and whether they were in receipt of a pension from public funds. The registrar will also require their occupation and, if the deceased person was a married woman or widow, the full name and occupation of her husband. You will also need to give your name, address and details of your relationship to the deceased. These details will be required to register the death.