Involvement of the Coroner

The coroner may decide that further investigation is necessary to determine the cause of death, such as a post-mortem or CT scan. The coroner may be involved in cases where:

• The cause of death is unknown.
• The deceased was not attended by a doctor during their final illness.
• Death was sudden and unexplained.
• The doctor had not seen the deceased within 14 days before death or after death.
• Death occurred during an operation or under anaesthesia.
• Death was caused by an industrial injury or disease.
• Death was violent, unnatural, or under suspicious circumstances.
• Death occurred due to violence, neglect, abortion, or poisoning.

If a post-mortem or CT scan shows death due to natural causes, the coroner will send necessary paperwork to the register office. If an inquest is required, registration of the death cannot proceed until after the inquest concludes. An interim death certificate will be issued for immediate needs, such as banking arrangements, and the funeral director will receive necessary forms for funeral arrangements.

Registering the Death

The death must be registered at the district register office where it occurred. Appointments are required, so please call ahead. The following individuals can register a death:

• A relative present at death.
• A relative present during the final illness.
• A relative residing in the sub-district where the death occurred.
• A person present at death.
• The person responsible for funeral arrangements (excluding the funeral director).
• The occupier of the premises where death occurred.

The registrar requires:

• Medical certificate of the cause of death (sent directly if reported to the coroner).
• Additional documents like driving license, medical card, birth certificate, passport, and marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable).

Information needed includes:

• Date and place of death.
• Deceased's last address.
• Deceased's full name and surname (maiden name if applicable).
• Deceased's date and place of birth (birth certificate helpful but not essential).
• Deceased's occupation.
• Full name, date of birth, and occupation of spouse/civil partner (if applicable).
• Whether the deceased was receiving a pension or benefits.

The registrar will provide:

• Certificate of burial or cremation (Green Form), available in print or emailed directly to the funeral director.
• Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8), to be sent to relevant authorities if deceased received state pension or benefits.
• Death Certificate (or Death Entry), copies available for will, insurance policies, bank, and private pension schemes (charges apply).
• Registration by Declaration for non-local registrants, with additional processing time between local and district registrars.

Tell Us Once Service

The Tell Us Once service is designed to simplify the process of notifying various government departments and local council services when someone passes away.

What It Does:

1. Notifies Relevant Departments:Tell Us Once notifies government departments and local council services about the death of an individual. This includes departments such as:
   • Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
   • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
   • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
   • Passport Office
   • Local council services (e.g., council tax, housing benefit, and electoral services)
2. Reduces Administrative Burden: By using Tell Us Once, you can avoid the need to individually contact each department separately. This helps streamline the process and reduces administrative tasks during a difficult time.
3. Convenient and Efficient: Once you provide the necessary information to the registrar, they will use the Tell Us Once service on your behalf. This typically happens during the appointment to register the death. Information is securely transmitted to relevant departments, ensuring timely updates to records.
4. Sensitive Handling: Information shared through Tell Us Once is handled securely and confidentially by the government departments involved. It ensures that sensitive personal data is protected according to legal requirements.

What It Does Not Cover:

1. Private Sector Notifications: Tell Us Once does not notify private sector organizations, such as banks, insurance companies, utility providers, or subscription services. These will need to be informed separately by the next of kin or executor.
2. Overseas Notifications: The service primarily covers notifications within the UK. If the deceased lived or held assets abroad, separate notifications will be necessary according to the laws and regulations of those countries.
3. Changes to Personal Records: Tell Us Once updates government records to reflect the death, but it does not handle changes to personal records or accounts, such as closing bank accounts or cancelling subscriptions.
4. Legal and Financial Matters: While Tell Us Once notifies relevant authorities about the death, it does not handle legal matters such as probate or financial matters like settling debts and distributing assets.

The following is a suggested list of people to contact:

• Car Insurance: Documentation will have to be changed as you are not legally insured to drive if the policy is in the deceased's name.
• Social Services/District Nurses: If there is equipment belonging to either of these, it must be returned.
• Hospital and/or Family Doctor: Any outstanding appointments should be cancelled.
• Employer or Professional Association.
• Inland Revenue.
• Social Security: Form 344/BD8 needs to be completed to cancel any direct payments into a bank account. This white certificate is provided by the Registrar of Deaths.
• Local Council: Cancel any housing/rate benefits and council tax.
• Utilities: Gas, electric, water, telephone, and cable companies.
• Post Office: Arrange redirection of mail, a small charge may be made.
• Credit Card Companies: Cancel cards and pay up accounts.
• Banks and Building Societies: Accounts need to be closed, and any joint accounts need to be amended.
• Investments and Insurance Policies: Premium Bonds are not transferable. The Post Office will issue you a form that needs to be sent to the Bonds and Stocks Office. For further advice, consult a Financial Advisor or Accountant.
• Store Cards.
• Season Tickets and Club Membership Cards.
• Library Books and Card.
• Make provision for the care of any pets.
• National Insurance Papers.
• Private Pension Providers.
• Solicitor/Accountant.
• Life Assurance.
• House and Contents Insurance.
• Travel Insurance.
• Dentist.
• Optician.
• Mobile Phone Provider.
• Broadband Provider.
• Mortgage Provider/Landlord.
• Car Insurance: To change Policy Holder’s name or a refund may be issued.
• Television License.