When someone dies
Registering a death.
Registering is a short appointment with the registrar, usually about half an hour. Here is what to expect and what to bring.
When you can register
You cannot register until the medical examiner, or the coroner, has finished and sent the paperwork to the register office. The medical examiner’s office will usually phone you first to talk through the cause of death. Once the register office has the certificate, the death should be registered within five days.
You can start arranging the funeral with us before the death is registered.
Where to register
A death is registered in the area where it happened, which is not always where the person lived.
- A death in Powys, including at home in Welshpool or in Welshpool or Newtown hospital: Powys County Council registers deaths by appointment at its offices, including Welshpool and Newtown. Once the paperwork has arrived, they will contact you, or you can use the council’s online form to ask for an appointment. Powys County Council: register a death.
- A death in Shropshire, such as at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury, or the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt in Oswestry: Shropshire Council registers deaths by appointment, booked online or on 0345 678 9016. The Shrewsbury office is at the Guildhall, Frankwell Quay. They take card payments only. Shropshire Council: registering a death.
If you cannot travel to the right area, you can make a declaration at your nearest register office instead, but this takes longer because the paperwork is posted between offices. Ask us if you are not sure which is best.
Who can register
Usually a relative or partner of the person who died. If no relative can, it can be someone who was present at the death, the person arranging the funeral, or a senior member of staff from the hospital or care home.
What to bring and what you will be asked
- Your own photo identification and proof of address.
- Their full name, and any other names they used, including a maiden name.
- Their date and place of birth, and their last address.
- Their occupation, and that of their husband, wife or partner.
- Whether they received a state pension or any other benefits.
- Their NHS number, if you have it. It is not essential.
What you will receive
The certificate for burial or cremation, often called the green form. Please give this to us: we cannot hold the funeral without it.
Death certificates. These are certified copies of the register entry, and there is a fee for each. Banks, pension providers and solicitors usually want to see one. It is often worth buying a few.
A Tell Us Once reference number, so you can tell most government departments at once, online or by phone.
R G Peate Funeral Services, Salop Road, Welshpool. Office 01938 559 256 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) · Out of hours 01938 810 657. rgpeate.co.uk
The guide
Other situations.
At home
Expected or sudden: who to call, and how long you can wait.
If they died at home
In hospital or a hospice
The bereavement office, the medical examiner, and when we collect them.
Hospital or hospice
In a care home
What the staff will do, and time to say goodbye.
Care home
Suddenly, or when the coroner is involved
Why the coroner is involved, post-mortems and inquests.
Sudden death
Abroad
Who to call, and bringing them home to Wales.
A death abroad
When a baby or child has died
Time together, keepsakes, help with costs, and who can help.
A baby or child
Whenever you are ready.
If someone has died, please call us at any hour and we will come to you. For anything else, you are welcome to call, write or call in.