• A relative of the deceased.
  
  
• A person present at death.
  
  
• The occupier of the house or institution where the death took place, if there is no known relative who is able to register.
  
  
• The person who is arranging the funeral, (i.e. the person instructing the funeral director).

Is the procedure for registering a death different if the Coroner has been involved?

Yes. For further details refer to later sections about coroners, but please also read the remainder of this information.

Is there a time limit to register a death?

Yes. In normal circumstances you should arrange to register the death within five days of the date of death. This does not apply when the Coroner is involved.

A telephone call to the relevant Register Office will confirm the opening hours and if an appointment is necessary.

How long will the death registration take?

The registration takes about 30 minutes if all the necessary information is at hand. In some circumstances the Registrar may have to refer the death to the Coroner. Only provisional funeral arrangements should be made until the death has been registered and then confirmed when the authority for the funeral has been issued.

What information will the Registrar require?

You may find it useful to write down these details:

• Date and place of death.
  
  
• Full name of the deceased.
  
  
• Maiden name in the case of a woman who has been married.
  
  
• Date and place of birth of the deceased.
  
  
• Occupation of the deceased and the full name and occupation of their husband / wife / civil partner.
  
• The address of the deceased.
  
  
• If the deceased was still married or has formed a civil partnership, the date of birth of their spouse.
  
  
• If readily available the medical card or the National Health Service Number.
  
  
• Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or benefits from public funds.

Will the Registrar give me any documents on completing the registration?

Yes. The Registrar will issue you with a form to take to the funeral director (in some cases this will have been issued by the Coroner) which gives permission for burial or cremation (often known as the Green Form). You will also be given another form, which you should take or send to the Benefits Agency in respect of the state pensions and benefits.

You will also be able to purchase, for a fee, standard death certificates. These are certified copies of the entry in the Register, which you will need for sorting out the estate.

Leaflets explaining about relevant State Benefits are available at the Registration Office. If they are not displayed please ask the Registrar for copies.

If you have decided not to use a solicitor and to deal with the estate yourself, the Registrar will be able to advise you of the Probate Registry's address and telephone number.

Why is a death reported to a coroner?

A death may be referred to the Coroner for a number of reasons:

• The death was unexpected; the doctor is unsure of the precise cause of death or the doctor was not in medical attendance during the deceased's last illness.
  
  
• The Coroner feels that for legal reasons the circumstances of the death requires further investigation, for example following an accident.

What happens when a death has been reported to the Coroner?

Once a death has been reported to the Coroner one of three things will happen:

1. The Coroner may decide that no action is necessary and he will issue a form 100A to the Registrar stating this. You should check with the relevant Register Office to ensure the form has been received and make arrangements to register the death
   
   
2. The Coroner may decide to ask a pathologist to carry out a post-mortem. When this happens there will be a delay whilst the cause of death is established. The Coroner will study the pathology report and any other information about the circumstances of the death.
   
   The Coroner may then decide to issue a form 100B to the Registrar and the informant should check with the relevant Registration Office that the form has been received and arrange to register the death.
   
   
3. The Coroner may decide, after considering the pathology report and circumstances of the death, to hold an inquest.
   
   A date will be set for the inquest. During this period of waiting the death cannot be registered, although the Coroner may be able to release the body for the funeral soon after the cause of death is known.
   
   Where hardship would result from not being able to produce a death certificate, the Coroner may arrange to issue an interim death certificate.
   
   After the inquest, form 99A or B will be issued to the relevant Registration Office and the death will be registered on the Coroners information. It is not necessary for you to attend in these cases.

Once the death has been registered, death certificates can be obtained by personal or postal application. A telephone call to the Registration Office will answer any questions you have about obtaining the certificates.

You may find it helpful to record the following details:

• Coroner’s address: H.M. Coroner, Town Hall, Leicester, LE1 9BG
  
  
• Coroner’s telephone no: 0116 225 2534
  
  
• Registration Office address: The Register Office, Town Hall, Leicester LE1 9BG
  
  
• Registration Office telephone no: 0845 045 0901

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGISTER OFFICE FOR THE CITY OF LEICESTER:

• General enquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tel: 0845 045 0901
  
  
• Appointments to register a death . . . . . . tel: 0845 045 0901
  
  
• Fax for Registrar of Deaths . . . . . . . . .. . . . . (0116) 2914660
  
  
• Email register.office@leicester.gov.uk
  
  
• Contact us by feedback form