What to do first

What to do first

Registering the death

It is a legal requirement to register the death within 5 days. The hospice will inform you which register office to use. This should be carried out by either: • A relative • Someone present at the time of death • Someone who will be arranging the funeral (Should the person who has died be an overseas citizen, their embassy should be notified as soon as possible)

You will need to take with you: • Whilst not essential, a form of personal identity such as a passport or drivers license may be helpful.

The following information: • Date and place of death • Full name of the deceased, including any other names used • Their date and place of birth • The deceased’s occupation • Their usual address • Name, date of birth and occupation of spouse if the deceased was married

• Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds • (It may be helpful, though not essential, to take along the deceased’s birth and marriage certificates)

The registrar will give you: • A green form (Form 9) which permits the undertaker to move the deceased from the initial funeral directors. • A certificate of registration of death • The death certificate (if purchased) It is advisable to purchase several authorised copies of the death certificate at this point as banks, insurers etc. will not normally accept ordinary photocopies.

Local Register Office:

The Register Office, Town Hall, Wellington Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 1BA Tel: 01824 708100 Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 4:15pm Friday: 8:30am to 3:45pm Ruthin Town Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN Tuesday: 8:30am to 3:45pm Wednesday: 8:30am to 4:15pm Thursday: 8:30am to 4:15pm

An appointment system is in operation for registering death. In a minority of cases, the coroner may have to be involved, and a post-mortem may be carried out. This includes when the cause of death is not clear or where there is potential 3

of a work-related disease being involved. If this is the case, a doctor cannot issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death without consulting the coroner. The hospice staff will talk with you about why the referral has been made and will explain the process to you. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to ring the hospice, and we will assist you all we can. Tel: 01745 585221 The hospice continues to offer its support to families and carers who have been bereaved. We will contact you with details of the bereavement support service within 3-4 weeks.