Bereavement services help and advice following a bereavement

Who can register a death?

A death can be registered by a relative or the partner of the deceased.  If you are not related to, or are not the partner of the deceased, you can only register if:

• You were present at the death; or
• You are an administrator from the hospital (if he person died in hospital) or you live at the place where the person died; or
• You are in charge of making funeral arrangements; or
• You are the personal representative of the deceased

For more information, please telephone the register office. (Epsom or St Helier)

What the register will need to know?

• Information about the person who has died
• When and where the death occurred
• Date and place of birth 
• First name, middle names (if they had any), and surname
• Any other names they were known as or had before including maiden name
• Occupation and whether they were retired or not
• address

Information about the spouse or civil partner of the person

• First name, middle names (if any), and surname
• Date of birth
• If they are deceased or not
• Occupation and whether they are retired or not

Other useful documents to have

• The person’s birth Certificate
• Their marriage or civil partnership certificate(s)

Documentation issued by the Registrar

• Certificate for Burial or Cremation (called the green form). The Registrar will send this electronically to your chosen funeral director.
• A Tell Us Once unique reference number
• Death Certificates. There is a fee payable for each certificate and the Registrar will be able to advise you about this 

Tell Us Once 

The Tell Us Once service lets you tell most government organisations that person has died in one go. When you register a death, a registrar will explain the process to you. You can read more at: 

What to do after someone dies: Tell Us Once - GOV.UK

The Funeral 

It is advisable that you are in contact with the bereavement office before you begin to make funeral arrangements. Once you have registered the death the Register Office will electronically send the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (green form) to your chosen funeral director to allow them to transfer your deceased love one from the hospital to the funeral home with fewer delays. 

As prices vary considerably it is quite acceptable to contact more than one funeral director for a written quote for their services. The chosen funeral director should advise and help you arrange the funeral of your choice. It may be that the deceased has given instructions, either in a Will or to someone personally as to their last wishes. 

The choice of burial or cremation may also depend on cost or whether there is a family grave. The funeral director will arrange for a local priest, minister or other person of your choice to conduct the service. 

Help with funeral costs 

Funerals can be expensive. You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you are arranging.

Advice can be obtained from:
Online: www.gov.uk/funeral-payments 
Tel: 0800 151 2012