HELP & ADVICE

In order to register a death, you will need to obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

Rules surrounding death registration changed on 9th September 2024.

All deaths will be reviewed by a Medical Examiner who will check the cause of death to make sure it’s accurate.

They will be a senior doctor who may not have been involved in the care of the person who has died.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will then contact you to:
• Explain the cause of death.
• Answer any questions you have about this or the healthcare provided to the person before they died.

The Medical Examiner will also advise that you can book an appointment to register the death:
You must register the death within 5 days of contact with the Medical Examiner who will have forwarded the MCCD to the local register office.

When the death occurs at home:

When someone dies at home their Doctor should be contacted who will then arrange for the Medical Examiner to check the cause of death and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

When the death occurs in hospital:

The general office at the hospital will liaise with the doctors and obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This will then be forwarded electronically to the Register Office and you will be able to make an appointment.

When the death occurs in a hospice or nursing home:

The staff at the hospice or home will assist you in obtaining the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

When the death is referred to the Coroner:

Sometimes, the Coroner will need to be informed when a doctor cannot issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. In these circumstances, the Coroner’s office will issue the required certification once a cause of death has been established.

  • Did the person who passed away have a Will or a funeral plan?
  • Have you been informed that the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued to the Register Office?
  • Have you registered the death?
  • Are there any particular dates that would not be suitable for the funeral service?
  • Are there any particular clothes that you would like the person who has passed away to be dressed in?
  • Would you like to visit the chapel of rest?
  • Have you decided whether the funeral service will be burial or cremation?
  • Is the funeral to be a religious or non-religious service?
  • Have you decided where you would like the funeral service to take place?
  • Do your family members require limousine transport for the funeral or will you be using your own cars?
  • Is there a specific route you would like the funeral cortege to take?
  • Have you selected any pieces of music to be played?
  • Would you like orders of service and are there any particular photographs, readings, poems or pictures you would like to include?
  • Would you prefer people to send flowers, or are donations to a nominated charity or charities preferred?
  • Will you be placing a notice in the local paper?
  • Will you have a funeral reception after the service?