Register a death

How to book an appointment

Book an appointment to register a death
 

If you cannot book online, call us on 020 8825 7330 

Who can register the death  

The person registering the death must be:                                     

• a relative or partner of the person who has died 
• a person who was present at the death 
• the occupier of the house where the person died 
• an administrator from the care home or hospital where the person died 
• someone arranging the burial or cremation 
• personal representative of the person who has died 

Details we need for your appointment 

You will need to make sure the information is correct, such as all spellings and dates. 

Correcting mistakes on a death certificate later can cost up to £99 and can delay the funeral. 

We will ask for information: 

About the person: 

• when they died 
• where they died 
• their full name 
• other names they used (including maiden name) 
• when they were born 
• where they lived 
• their job 
• their spouse's full name and job 

About yourself: 

• how you knew the person 
• your full name 
• where you live 

Details of the funeral directors 

• name of funeral directors 
• email address for the funeral director 

If the death has been referred to the coroner, we do not need the funeral director details. 

Supporting documents 

To make sure the information is correct it may be useful to bring any of these documents (if they are available) 

• their birth certificate or passport 
• deed poll documents (if they ever changed their name) 
• bills or bank statements with their address on 
• marriage or civil partnership certificate (if they were married) 

Certificates 

At the end of your appointment, we can issue death certificates.  

Certificates cost £12.50 each.  We can accept card payment only. 

You will need certificates so that you can deal with: 

• bank accounts 
• insurance claims 
• investments 
• pension claims 
• legal matters 
• the person's will (probate) 

You can order extra copies later if you need them.  

After you have registered the death 

After the appointment, we will: 

• email the form for burial or cremation (green form) to the funeral director 
• send you a reference number to use the Tell Us Once service 

Tell Us Once  

Tell Us Once is a free service offered by the government. 

It will tell central and local government services about the death securely and confidentially, without you having to tell them separately. 

Urgent faith burials taking place within 24 hours 

This service is for the issue of a burial certificate for a funeral that is to take place within 24 hours.  

The registrar will issue the burial certificate if: 

• the funeral director sends us email with the scheduled date and time of the funeral- confirming it is to take place within 24 hours.  
• we have received a correctly completed medical certificate of cause of death from the medical examiner 
• the death has not been referred to the coroner 
• you are not taking the body abroad 
• you are qualified to register the death 

We will tell you where the funeral director should send the confirmation email.  

To use this service, call us on 020 8825 7330. 

Deaths outside the UK  

If someone dies in another country, you must report it to the authorities there. 

For information on how to register a death abroad visit GOV.UK  

Deaths outside of the borough 

If the death happened outside of Ealing borough, you need to contact the local council where the person died.  

GOV.UK can help you find the correct registration office