What has to be done when someone dies?
When someone dies it can be a very confusing time so first of all we will look at what needs to be done.
First few days
There are three things to do in the first few days after someone dies:
- Obtain a medical certificate from the GP or hospital – this is required to register the death.
- Register the death at the council Register Office within 5 days of the date of death.
If possible you should take the person’s birth and marriage certificates and medical card, you will also have to tell the registrar certain things such as place of birth, occupation, address, whether they were getting state benefits. You will be provided with the death certificate and other documents required to arrange the funeral. You can purchase additional death certificates if required for sorting out the person’s affairs. - Arrange the funeral either yourself or with a funeral director.
Coroner
If a death is reported to a coroner then you can’t register the death until the coroner gives permission.
A death will be reported to a coroner in the following circumstances:
- the cause is unknown;
- it was violent or unnatural;
- it was sudden and unexplained;
- the person was not visited by a medical practitioner during their final illness;
- a medical certificate is not available;
- the person was not seen by the doctor who signed the medical certificate within 14 days before death or after they died;
- death occurred during an operation or before the person came out of anaesthetic;
- the medical certificate indicates that the cause is industrial or poisoning.
Post Mortem
The coroner may decide that a post mortem is required to find out how or why the death occurred and no-one can object to this.If subsequently no further examination is required the coroner will release the body for the funeral.
If the coroner decides to hold an inquest they will provide a certificate to prove the person is dead and when the inquest is over, they will tell the registrar what to enter in the register.
Who else needs notifying
Most councils have a "Tell Us Once” system which can be used to notify all government departments such as:
- HM Revenue & Customs;
- National Insurance Contributions and Employer Office;
- Child Benefit Office;
- Tax Credit Office;
- DVLA;
- Council Tax.
Other organisations such as pension schemes, banks and other financial organisations will also need to be contacted individually, they will each require a copy of the death certificate and will have their own requirements and procedures to pay out benefits.
