When someone dies a doctor should be called to issue a certificate stating the cause of death, along with a document outlining who is eligible to register the death – which must be done within five days by contacting the local registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (www.gov.uk/register-offices).
The registrar can provide several copies of the death certificate and will also provide a โgreen formโ which should be given to the funeral director so he can collect the deceased from the mortuary.
Organisations you need to contact
Most local councils run a service called Tell Us Once โ it lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. The registrar will tell you about using Tell Us Once and give you a unique reference number to access the service online or by phone. The following information is required to register:
โข Date of birth
โข National insurance number
โข Driving licence number
โข Passport number
โข Details of any benefits or entitlements such as State Pension
โข Details of any local council services eg Blue Badge
โข Name and address of next of kin
โข Name, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate โ their Executor/Administrator (you will need their permission to provide their details).
Tell Us Once will notify:
โข HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
โข Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
โข DVLA and the Passport Office
โข The Local Council
You will need to notify:
* Company pensions/personal pension providers
โข Banks and building societies (including joint accounts)
โข Company registrars of shareholdings
โข Credit card companies
โข Doctorโs surgery and hospital attended by the deceased
โข Insurance companies
Have a look at our section on planning ahead or read our blog. ย Please join the conversation on the forum to share your experience.