Practical Information

The days following bereavement can be difficult and confusing. We have put together a simple guide to help you understand the next steps and what legal requirements you will need to do. If at any point you are unsure, our caring and experienced team will provide you with advice and guidance. You can reach us 24/7 on 01299 879 090.

What To Do When A Death Occurs?

If death occurs at Hospital

You will need to contact the bereavement office within the hospital. They will inform you when the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been sent to the local registry office. You will need to register the death at the registry office within the jurisdiction of where the death has occurred.

You can then contact one of our dedicated funeral directors at Gaunts of Stourport.

If death occurs at home

You will need to contact their GP surgery or call the out of hours doctors on 111. The attending doctor will verify the death. Once the doctor has done this, you can contact us as your chosen Funeral Directors to arrange bringing your loved one into our care.

Within the following days the GP will issue and email the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the registrars, this will be needed to register the death.

If death occurs at a Nursing/Care Home

The Nursing Staff will inform a doctor who will attend the nursing home to verify the death. Either you or a staff member will then contact us as your nominated Funeral Directors. You will need to contact the GP Surgery to obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Once the certificate has been sent to the registrars you can make an appointment to register the death.

Registration of a Death

You will need to provide:

• • • The Death Certificate (this will be emailed to the registry office by doctor)
    • Full name
    • Date and place of birth
    • Occupation (or former occupation if retired)

If the deceased is a married woman, you will also need:

• • • Maiden name
    • Husband’s full name and occupation

You will be issued with:

• • • A white certificate (for the Department of Social Security)
    • A green certificate – this can be emailed by the registrar to Gaunts of Stourport using info@gauntsofstourport.co.uk

Local Registry Offices

Kidderminster Registration Office

Finepoint Way,
Kidderminster
DY11 7WF
Phone: 01905 768181
registeroffice@worcestershire.gov.uk

Worcestershire Registration Office

County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP
Phone: 01905768181
registeroffice@worcestershire.gov.uk

Redditch Registration Office

29 Easemore Road
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 8ER
Phone: 01905768181
registeroffice@worcestershire.gov.uk

Who Can Register A Death?

• • • A close relative of the deceased
    • A relative in attendance during the last illness
    • A relative in the district where the death occurred
    • A person who was present at the time of death
    • The person arranging the funeral

Information Required By Registrar

• • • The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
    • Full name of deceased including any aliases and maiden names
    • The deceased’s date and place of birth
    • Birth certificate, if possible
    • The usual residence of the deceased
    • Their occupation, and their husband’s occupation (if applicable)
    • The date and place of death
      Certificates

Issued By The Registrar

• • • The Registrars Certificate for Cremation or Burial (a green certificate that we need at the funeral home)
    • The Death Certificate – This is a copy of the entry into the register. We advise you obtain sufficient copies of the death certificate for insurance companies, banks etc. There is a small fee to be paid for additional copies.

H.M Coroner

If the deceased hasn’t seen their usual doctor for over 28 days, the death may be reported to the coroner.

A death may also be referred to the coroner if there are any suspicious circumstances.

There are a number of different options The Coroner may take and they will liaise with and support you throughout their investigation. Depending on their action the procedure of Registration and Documentation is somewhat different.

The GP Doctor will not need to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, instead the Coroner will inform you where and when to register the death and they will send any information to the registrars in advance.

You can still contact us whilst any investigation is taking place, we can help advise and assist you and go through any questions you may have or Funeral Arrangements you wish to make.

Bereavement Support

We are always available to talk and offer advice, but if you need to talk to someone about your grief, sometimes a councillor is the best choice. We offer up to 6 free sessions of support with our dedicated SAIF Care team. Please speak to your Funeral Director for more information.