What to do when someone passes
Step 1: Where the Death Occurred and What to Do
Losing a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. It’s important to know the steps to take and be aware of new regulations that have been introduced to ensure the process is handled with care and compliance. As of 9th September 2024, new regulations regarding the certification of death have been implemented in the UK. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do when someone passes away under these new rules:
Notify the Relevant Authorities
- At Home: If the death occurs at home, you should contact the deceased’s GP or call 111 if it’s out of hours. They will advise on the next steps and provide guidance on who to notify.
- In a Hospital or Care Home: If the death occurs in a hospital or care home, the staff will usually take care of this process and guide you on what needs to be done next.
2. Contact a Funeral Director
Once the death has been reported, you should contact a funeral director to begin making arrangements. Funeral directors can offer support and advice during this time, helping you with the necessary steps and paperwork.
3. Death Certification Review Process
Under the new regulations starting on 9th September, a Medical Examiner will review the circumstances of the death before a death certificate can be issued. Here’s how the process works:
- Medical Examiner’s Role: A Medical Examiner will review the medical notes and speak with the doctor who attended the deceased. This examiner will decide whether the death certificate can be signed by the attending doctor or if a coroner needs to be involved.
- Doctor or Coroner: The Medical Examiner will determine whether the attending doctor can sign the death certificate or if there is a need for a coroner’s involvement. This process helps ensure that all deaths are accurately certified and that any that require further investigation are properly referred.
4. Registering the Death
After the death certificate has been signed, you will need to register the death. This must be done within five days in England and Wales (eight days in Scotland). To register the death, you will need:
- The medical certificate of the cause of death.
- Details of the deceased, such as their full name, date, and place of birth, last address, and occupation.
- The name and details of the spouse or civil partner, if applicable.
5. Arranging the Funeral
Once the death is registered, you can proceed with arranging the funeral. Your funeral director will help you plan the service, whether it’s a burial, cremation, or another type of ceremony. They will ensure that all legal requirements are met and that the service respects the wishes of the deceased and their family.
Step 2: 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:
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The cause of death is unknown
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The deceased was not attended by a doctor during their final illness
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Death was sudden and unexplained
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The doctor had not seen the deceased within 14 days before death or after death
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Death occurred during an operation or under anaesthesia
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Death was caused by an industrial injury or disease
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Death was violent, unnatural, or under suspicious circumstances
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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
Step 3: 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:
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A relative present at death
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A relative present during the final illness
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A relative residing in the sub-district where the death occurred
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A person present at death
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The Executor of the will or person responsible for funeral arrangements (excluding the funeral director)
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The occupier of the premises where death occurred
The registrar requires:
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Medical certificate of the cause of death sent directly if reported to the Coroner
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Additional documents like driving license, medical card, birth certificate, passport, and marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
Information needed includes:
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Date and place of death
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Deceased's last address
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Deceased's full name and surname (maiden name if applicable)
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Deceased's date and place of birth (birth certificate helpful but not essential)
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Deceased's occupation
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Full name, date of birth, and occupation of spouse/civil partner (if applicable)
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Whether deceased was receiving a pension or benefits
The registrar will provide
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Certificate of burial or cremation (Green Form), available in print or emailed directly to the funeral director
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Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8), to be sent to relevant authorities if deceased received state pension or benefits
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Death Certificate (or Death Entry), copies available for will, insurance policies, bank, and private pension schemes (charges apply)
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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. Both Bury and Rochdale Registrars offer this service. Here’s how it works and what it covers:
What It Does
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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)
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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. -
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 -
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
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Private Sector Notifications
Tell Us Once does not notify private sector organisations, such as banks, insurance companies, utility providers, or subscription services. These will need to be informed separately by the next of kin or executor.
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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.
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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.
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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.
In summary, Tell Us Once is a valuable service that assists in notifying key government departments and local council services about a death, easing administrative burdens for the bereaved. However, it is important to remember that additional notifications may be required to address private sector organisations, international matters, and personal legal and financial affairs.
The following is a suggested list of people to contact
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Car Insurance: Documentation will have to be changed as you are not legally insured to drive if the policy is in the deceased name.
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Social Services/District Nurses: If there is equipment belonging to either of these, it must be returned.
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Hospital and/or Family Doctor: Any outstanding appointments should be cancelled.
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Employer or Professional Association
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Inland Revenue
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Local Council: Cancel any housing/rate benefits and council tax.
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Utilities: Gas, electric, water, telephone and cable companies
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Post Office: Arrange redirection of mail, a small charge may be made.
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Credit Card Companies: Cancel cards and pay up accounts.
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Banks and Building Societies: Accounts need to be closed and any joint accounts need to be amended.
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Investments and Insurance Policies: Premium Bonds are not transferable. The Post Office will issue you with a form that needs to be sent to the Bonds and Stocks Office. For further advice suggest that you consult a Financial Advisor or Accountant.
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Store Cards.
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Season Tickets and Club Memberships Cards.
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Library Books and Card.
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Make provision for care of any pets.
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National Insurance Papers.
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Private Pension Providers.
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Solicitor/Accountant.
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Life Assurance.
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House and Contents Insurance.
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Travel Insurance.
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Dentist.
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Optician.
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Mobile Phone Provider.
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Broadband Provider.
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Mortgage Provider/ Landlord Car Insurance.
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To change Policy Holder’s name or a refund may be issued.
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Television License.
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Car Insurance change Policy Holder’s name or a refund may be issued.
Useful Contacts for Hospitals and Registrars: Hospitals
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Rochdale Infirmary: 01706 377 777
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Fairfield General Hospital (Bury):0161 624 0420
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North Manchester General Hospital: 0161 624 0420
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Royal Oldham Hospital: 0161 624 0420
Registrars:
Rochdale Registrar Office:
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Phone: 01706 924 784
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Address: Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AB