The death of someone close can be overwhelming. As well as coping with a bereavement, families face several forms, paperwork and possibly probate.
This guide explains the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, how to register a death, and how to get certified copies of the death certificate. It also covers the other common forms you may come across after a death or when arranging a funeral.
Which paperwork is essential for funerals?
You can contact a funeral director immediately after a death. But before the funeral can legally take place, the death must first be registered. This is done at the register office for the area where the death occurred.
The good news is that much of the paperwork happens without you needing to do anything.
- The Registrar receives the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) directly from the Medical Examiner. You do not need to arrange this yourself.
- When you register the death, you will be given a certified copy of the entry in the register. This is known as the death certificate.
- The Registrar will then either email a green coloured form to us, or hand a copy to the person registering the death. This form is called the registrar’s certificate for burial or cremation. It is the form that allows the funeral to legally go ahead.
- If the death has been referred to the coroner and a post mortem has taken place, the green form is replaced by a Form 6.
What is a Medical Certificate for Cause of Death?
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is a document that records the cause of death.
In the UK, all deaths are reviewed by NHS medical examiners. The only exception is when the cause of death is unknown. In that case, the death is referred to a coroner.
The MCCD is completed by a doctor. This will be a hospital doctor if the death occurs in hospital, or a GP if the death occurs at home or in a care home. The doctor sends it directly to the Medical Examiner, who checks that the cause of death is accurate and properly recorded.
You will never need to handle this certificate yourself. Before the Medical Examiner sends it to the Registrar, the Medical Examiner’s officer will phone the family to talk it through. This is your chance to ask questions or raise any concerns about the cause of death.
What is a death certificate?
A death certificate is a certified copy of the entry in the death register. The original entry is held permanently by the Registrar. So when people talk about “the death certificate”, they mean certified copies of that entry. This is what you’ll be given when the death is registered.
The Registrar books an appointment with the family and will take key details such as:
- The full name of the person who has died
- Date and place of death
- Cause of death
- Age at death
- Parents’ names
- Informant details (the person providing the information)
You will need the death certificate to:
- Close bank or building society accounts
- Make a life insurance claim
- Transfer property, or cancel leases or tenancy agreements
- Apply for probate (if there is a will)
- Notify government agencies
- Access pensions and benefits
- Inform HMRC for tax purposes
- Cancel memberships, subscriptions or utilities
You can order a death certificate by registering on the General Register Office (GRO) or you can call 0300 123 1837, Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. Certificates cost £12.50 and are sent within 4 days of ordering.
Ordering Certified Copies
Most families need multiple certified copies of a death certificate. We generally recommend ordering 5–10 copies (minimum) or more if there are multiple financial accounts or properties.
It’s worth ordering enough at the start. A certified copy cannot be photocopied or duplicated, each one must come from the register. Banks, insurance companies and government agencies will only accept an original certified copy, not a photocopy.
Other Common Forms
Cremation Authorisation Forms
Cremation cannot proceed without a completed application. This is the Ministry of Justice’s Form Cremation 1. It is an application for cremation, completed and signed by the person applying for the cremation, with the help of your funeral director. It also records (in Part 4) your instructions for the ashes. No equivalent form is needed for a burial.
Burial Forms
In the case of a burial, you will choose the cemetery and grave plot. Each cemetery has its own paperwork. Common forms include a burial application form, which will be handled by your funeral director.
Coroner’s Forms
If a death is sudden, unexplained or unnatural, the doctor cannot issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). Where there has been a post mortem, the coroner will instead issue a Form 6. This is sent directly to the Registrar and to the nominated funeral director. It takes the place of the green form when the coroner has been involved. So again, this is not something you need to handle yourself.
Medical Certificate of Stillbirth
As a stillbirth (baby born after 24 weeks) has a separate legal process from a registered death, a stillbirth certificate is issued instead of a death certificate.
Funeral Wishes Documents
These documents may include a will, a letter or form setting out the person’s funeral wishes, a pre-paid funeral plan, or organ donation details.
Repatriation
If a death occurs abroad, key paperwork typically includes out of country removal authorisation.
Post Funeral Administration
You may be required to complete life insurance forms, probate forms, or benefits claim forms.
How we can help
Every day we help families with their forms ensure that the process following a death runs smoothly for you. As funeral directors we can help you with the coordination of everything you need to ensure your administration and paperwork is in order.
So please don’t worry. You can contact your local CPJ Field funeral home if you have any questions or concerns concerning funeral paperwork, and we will happily assist.