Registering a death

What to do when someone dies

When someone dies, the doctor who was treating the deceased issues the medical certificate cause of death electronically to the Registrars. If the Coroner is involved, the Coroner's office will advise you what to do.

By law the death must be registered within 5 days from the date of death except where the Coroner's Office is involved.

If the death occurred overseas the process of registration is different. Full details are available on GOV.UK.

How to register a death in Trafford

To register a death in Trafford you will need to book an appointment with the Register Office.

How to book an appointment

We now offer a Tell Us Once service free of charge for anyone registering the death of a person who passed away within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

Who must register the death

People with a legal responsibility to register are:

  • A relative
  • A person present at the death
  • The occupier of the premises where the death occurred if he/she knew of it happening
  • The person arranging the funeral - this does NOT mean the funeral director 

Documents to bring to the Register Office

  • A form of ID for yourself
  • The deceased person's birth certificate or passport (If available) 
  • The deceased person's medical card or evidence of national health service number if available 

The questions the Registrar will ask

The Registrar will interview you in private and will need to know the following information in relation to the deceased:

  • Their date and place of death
  • Their full name at the time of death
  • You should also provide any other names the deceased was currently or previously known by
  • Maiden surname of woman who has married (this is the surname in which the first marriage was contracted)
  • Their date and place of birth
  • Their occupation 
  • Their marital status        
  • Their usual address if different from place of death
  • The full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving or late spouse or civil partner
  • Whether the person who has died was receiving a pension from public funds

The documents you will receive

  • A 'Green Form' which enables you to arrange the funeral (If the Coroner is involved different procedures may apply)
  • The Registrar will be able to issue death certificates to you for which there is a statutory fee
  • A unique reference number to use the Tell us Once Service