How to register a death
Before you can begin to plan a funeral you need to register the death at the Registrar’s Office within 5 days of receiving the medical certificate. Here we will guide you through the steps you need to take to register a death.
When someone dies
When someone dies, the first steps you need to take will depend on how and where they died. See our useful guide to find out more.
Choosing a funeral director
The death of a loved one is one of the most upsetting experiences we have to go through. So, when choosing a good funeral director, what should you be looking out for?
Probate & the will
What is Probate? And what happens if you can’t find a Will?
Our brief guide should help put your mind at rest.
Help with funeral costs
Bereavement is, without doubt, a devastating experience that can increase financial strain. If you’re in a position where you can’t afford to pay for a funeral, there are options available and you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the Social Fund.
Simple & affordable probate services
Laurelo are committed to making probate simple, straightforward and affordable. Winners of several awards including Probate Provider of the Year 2022 and 2023 they provide a friendly probate service tailored to your needs.
Who to notify
Having to deal with the affairs of the deceased immediately after their death can be complicated and upsetting, however, sorting out these issues is an essential task that we can guide you through. If you are worried about who to tell when someone has died, our simple checklist will act as a handy guide to help you through the process.
Useful contacts
REGISTRAR’S
Essex Registrar
Tel: 0345 603 7632
Find your nearest registration office when registering a death
Coroner
Essex Coroners Office
Chelmsford: 0333 013 5000
Email: coroner@essex.gov.uk
Essex & Thurrock: 01245 506837
Southend: 01245 506806
Funeral price options
We are pleased to offer a number of price options, which include Unattended Cremation, Simple Cremation, and the Traditional Funeral package.
How to simplify the death notification process
Life Ledger a free, easy-to-use, service helping the recently bereaved inform businesses across the UK of the death of a loved one. Their platform reduces the administrative burden around death and simplifies the death notification process for both the bereaved and the companies they need to inform.
“I was extremely pleased with the way in which I was treated whilst organising my late mother’s funeral. In these very difficult times, I felt that Bennetts and in particular Martyn treated the whole procedure with respect and compassion. It helped a lot. Thank you.”
Mrs O
from South Woodham Ferrers
Where do you register a death?
Once you are in possession of the ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’ (MCCD), it should be taken to the Registrar of Birth, Deaths, and Marriages within 5 days. In Essex, the death can be registered at any registration office although the districts of Southend and Thurrock are considered as separate areas outside of Essex. In either case, an appointment needs to be made.
During the Covid 19 Pandemic
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has to be emailed to mccds@essex.gov.uk before you can book an appointment. Contact the medical practitioner, bereavement suite who emailed the MCCD to check they have received the auto-response from the registration service. As soon as you know that the MCCD has been received you can book an appointment to register a death.
You can also refer to our USEFUL CONTACTS page.
Who can register a death?
People with the legal responsibility to register a death include:
- Any relative of the deceased
- A person who was present at the death
- An administrator at the hospital or care home where the person died
- The person arranging the funeral – family, friend, executor of the will, (not the Funeral Director)
What do you need to register a death?
These are the documents the Registrar will require to enable the registration to take place:
- Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (you must take this with you if issued by the Doctor)
- Medical Card or NHS number (if available)
- Birth Certificate (if available)
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Name email address and postal address of your funeral director
What information will be required to register a death?
This is the information the Registrar will require to enable the registration to take place:
- Date and place of death
- Full name of deceased (maiden name or any other name they used if applicable)
- Date and place of birth of the deceased
- Home address and postcode of the deceased
- Marital Status of the deceased
- Occupation of the deceased
- Full name, date of birth, occupation of surviving spouse or civil partner
When the death has been registered, what certificates will I receive?
- Disposal Certificate for the Funeral Director (Green Certificate) – No Fee. Currently, this is being emailed to the funeral director
- Social Security Certificate (White Certificate) – No Fee. This will be given on all occasions and should be handed in at the local D.W.P Offices with any relevant books
- Death Certificate – These may be obtained from the Registrar for a nominal fee and are required as proof of death for insurance purposes, bank account, etc. Ensure you order as many as you think you will need; currently, these are being posted
If you use the Tell Us Once service this will reduce the number of certificates you need. Once you have registered the death, any certificates you’ve paid for will be sent to you. There’s no fee for registering the death.
Cremation certificates
When cremation is chosen there are statutory legal forms, known as cremation certificates 4 and 5 which need to be completed by two medical Doctors. If HM Coroners are involved often the cremation certificate 6 will replace 4 and 5. These forms are the responsibility of the Funeral Director to obtain and therefore, we will liaise with the necessary people to have these completed.
If you need assistance in the registration of a death in Essex, Bennetts Funeral Directors can help with any queries you may have.
Call 01277 210104 and 01277 627492 we are here to help.