In the event of a death

Should you need the address of a cemetery please use our search bar above or click on the 'View all categories' button and view the cemeteries category.

When and where to register a death
In England and Wales, you normally need to register the death within five days. It's best to go to the register office in the area in which the person died, otherwise it may take longer to get the necessary documents and this could delay the funeral arrangements.  Registering the death will take about half an hour; you may need to make an appointment beforehand. You'll find contact details for local register offices in the local area phone book or you can search online below.

Search for your local register office

Deaths that occurred anywhere else can be registered by:

• a relative
• someone present at the death
• an occupant of the house
• an official from the hospital
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

The registrar would normally only allow other people if there are no relatives available. 

Documents and information

You will need documents when registering a death, you'll need to take the following:

• medical certificate of the cause of death (signed by a doctor)

And if available:

• birth certificate
• marriage/civil partnership certificates
• NHS Medical Card
• Information

You’ll need to tell the registrar:

• the person’s full name at time of death
• any names previously used, including maiden surname
• the person’s date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and country if born abroad)
• their last address
• their occupation
• the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner
• whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefit
• Documents you will receive

If a post-mortem is not being held, the registrar will issue you with a Certificate for Burial (called the 'green form'), giving permission for the body to be buried