A death of a loved one can be quite overwhelming and you may not know what to do next. Our guide below will help with the next steps.

Obtaining a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

If the death has occurred at home: You will need to contact the deceased's doctor that a death has occurred. Once he has verified the death he will issue the medical certificate.

If the death has occurred at a nursing home: A qualified member of staff or doctor will verify the death. The medical certificate will then be issued by the doctor and a member of staff at the nursing home will let you know where this can be collected from.

If the death has occurred in hospital: The nursing staff will verify the death and the doctor in charge will issue the medical certificate. The hospital will then contact you to arrange for you to collect the certificate. 

Registering the Death

Registering a death must be done at a register office in the area the death occurred and is usually required to be done within 5 days of the death.

Who can register a death:

• A Relative of the Deceased
• The Person Who Witnessed the Death
• The Occupier of the Residence Where the Death Occurred
• The Person Responsible for Arranging the Funeral Arrangements

Registration Requirements:

• Full Name of the Deceased
• Date and Place of Death
• The Deceased's Last Home Address
• The Deceased's Date and Place of Birth
• Occupation of Deceased
• Full Name, Date of Birth and Occupation of the Deceased's Spouse or Civil Partner
• Whether the Deceased Was in Receipt of a Pension or Other Benefits

Documents Required:

• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• The Deceased's Birth Certificate 
• The Deceased's Marriage Certificate if Applicable

Contact our supportive team today if you need some more advice on what to do next.