1. The Medical Examiner’s role
When a death is not investigated by a coroner, it is independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner — a senior doctor who was not involved in the person’s care. The Medical Examiner’s office will offer to explain the cause of death and give the family a chance to ask questions or raise concerns about the care the person received.
When the review is complete, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is sent directly to the registrar. The family will be told when they can register the death.
The MCCD is the medical document that allows registration to go ahead. It is not the official death certificate. The registrar can issue certified copies of the official death certificate after the death has been registered.
2. Registering the death
Please wait for the Medical Examiner’s office to confirm that the MCCD has been sent before booking an appointment. The death should normally be registered within five days of that confirmation, including weekends and bank holidays. If you may have difficulty meeting this deadline, contact the register office straight away.
A relative usually registers the death. The person who gives the information is called the informant. If a relative cannot register it, the register office can explain who else is eligible.
3. Information to have ready
This checklist is guidance only. Please check the register office’s requirements. You do not need to send registration information or identity documents to us through this website.
- The person’s full name and any previous names, including a maiden name if applicable.
- Date and place of birth.
- Date and place of death.
- Usual home address.
- Occupation and whether they were retired.
- Marital or civil partnership status.
- Relevant spouse or civil partner details, including name, occupation and, if they are the surviving partner, their date of birth.
- The informant’s name, address and relationship to the person who died.
Supporting documents such as a passport, birth certificate or marriage certificate can help confirm details. Check what your register office asks for, but do not delay seeking an appointment just because a supporting document is missing.
4. What happens after registration
Registering the death is free. You can buy certified copies of the death certificate from the registrar; these may be needed when dealing with the estate and other organisations.
The registrar normally issues a certificate for burial or cremation, often called the “green form”. It must reach the funeral director or the relevant burial or cremation authority before the funeral. Coroner cases can involve different paperwork.
5. Tell Us Once
Tell Us Once is a free service that reports a death to most government organisations together, including DWP, HMRC, DVLA and relevant council services. The registrar may complete it with the informant or give them a reference number to use online or by phone. The reference must be used within 28 days of being issued.
It can help to have relevant details ready, such as National Insurance, passport and driving licence information, benefits or pension details, and the executor or administrator’s contact details. Use the official checklist for the full list of information required.
Banks, utility companies, insurers, employers and private pension providers generally still need to be contacted separately.
6. When the Coroner is involved
A death may be referred to a coroner if the cause is unknown, or there are concerns that it may have been unnatural or violent. A referral does not automatically mean that a post-mortem examination or an inquest will be needed. The coroner decides what enquiries are necessary.
Registration arrangements may change. The coroner’s office or the registrar will explain what happens next. If an inquest is required, the final death certificate is normally available after it concludes. Families can ask the coroner for an interim death certificate, which can be used for probate and, with help from the registrar, Tell Us Once.
A funeral can often take place before the inquest concludes once the coroner has released the person’s body and the required paperwork is available. You can discuss arrangements with us while enquiries continue, but a confirmed funeral date depends on the necessary authorisation.
We can help you understand the next steps
If you are unsure who to contact or what happens next, please speak to our team. We can guide you through the funeral arrangements and explain how registration or coroner involvement may affect them.
Official sources checked 11 October 2026. Government guidance may change; please follow current instructions from the registrar or coroner.