CERTIFYING AND REGISTERING A DEATH

TO DO:

-Get the cause of death certificate aka 'the MCCD'
-Register the death on the government’s website
-Book an appointment at the registry office

These things on the To Do list are unfortunately what you need to prioritise, since without them you can't organise the funeral or apply for probate.

A doctor has to sign the medical certificate of cause of death, known as an MCCD, to certify officially that someone has passed away. This document gives an official reason why someone died and should be organised by the hospital, hospice or the medical professional who attended the death if it was at home. The MCCD is different from the death certificate: the death certificate is what you get once you’ve actually registered the death with the registrar. 

Getting an MCCD is important as it unlocks lots of other paperwork.

The death registration system was reformed in 2024 to make it easier, so do bear that in mind if you’re looking for information on websites that haven’t been updated recently.

WHERE TO BEGIN

You have to register the death both with a registrar AND with the government’s death registration website.

Start the process of registering the death via the government's Register A Death website, which will - depending on how and where your loved one died - tell you how to contact your local register office plus how to book an appointment (which you have to go to in person) plus if a coroner should be involved and how to register the death in certain individual circumstances.

In England deaths have to be registered within five days of receipt of the MCCD. In Scotland it’s eight days, so check your regional government regulations. 

However, don't worry, these are guidelines and although most websites will tell you that you may be fined for late registration, registrars have told us this is rare and they say this deadline is in place to ensure that people actually register the death. 

Often it takes longer than five days so don't be alarmed if it does - speak to your local register office or registrar if you're concerned; they're usually nice, understanding people. 

After the cause of death certificate (MCCD) has been signed by the doctor, you should get a phone call or email to say it is being emailed by the Medical Examiner or by the hospice/hospital bereavement office/coroner's office to your local registrar.

Now find the registry office that covers the area where your loved one died to book an appointment and also read our Registry Office page.

IF THERE IS AN INQUEST

While an autopsy or inquest (basically an investigation into why someone died) is going on you can’t get a death certificate but you can request an interim death certificate from the coroner so you can begin other sadmin such as applying for probate and telling organisations directly or through the Tell Us Once website (see Informing Organisations page).

You will be able to get a final death certificate from the registrar once the inquest is over.

Links:

Find a registry office 
Register the death

Photo: Tara Robinson