How To Register A Death In England And Wales

Registering a death is one of the first legal steps that must be completed before most funeral arrangements can fully proceed. In England and Wales, a death normally needs to be registered within 5 days, unless the death has been referred to the coroner.

The death is usually registered at the register office in the area where the person died. You may need to book an appointment with the local registrar, and in some cases the medical certificate showing the cause of death will be sent directly to the register office.

When registering the death, you may be asked for information such as the person’s full name, date and place of birth, home address, occupation, and details of a spouse or civil partner where relevant.

Once the death has been registered, the registrar will provide the necessary documents. These may include the certificate for burial or cremation, sometimes called the green form, which allows the funeral arrangements to move

forward.

You may also wish to purchase copies of the death certificate. These are often needed for banks, pensions, insurance policies, property matters and other organisations.

If the coroner is involved, the process may be different and can take longer. In that situation, the coroner’s office will explain what happens next.

At Peterson Funeral Directors, we help families understand what is needed and when. We cannot register the death on your behalf, but we can explain the process clearly and help you feel prepared before you attend your appointment.

Need guidance?

If you are unsure how the registration process works, we can talk you through the steps and explain what may be required.

Speak to Peterson Funeral Directors