This page includes practical help on the following topics:
The coroner and coroners' post mortems
Sometimes it may be necessary for the doctor to refer a death to the coroner. For example, if the death occurred within 24 to 48 hours of admission or surgery or if the cause of death is unknown, or the death is related to an industrial disease.
The coroner is a legally qualified official who is responsible for investigating deaths that might not be from natural causes by holding an inquest and possibly a post-mortem examination.
If this is the situation, one of the doctors caring for your loved one will contact the Coroner’s Office to discuss the case. On the basis of this discussion, the coroner may allow for a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death to be issued or he or she may order a Coroner’s Post Mortem. This is usually, but not always, held at the hospital where your loved one died.
If a coroner’s post mortem is ordered the necessary arrangements will be made by the patient support co-ordinator and medical team. The coroner’s post mortem is a legal requirement and cannot be refused.
However we may ask your consent to retain samples from the post mortem to assist us in explaining your loved one’s last illness. You, as registered next of kin, will need to return to the hospital to complete the paperwork for this. If you live a long way away we will ask your GP to help you and us with this.
Following a coroner’s post mortem, all required paperwork is provided by the Coroner’s Office and not the hospital.
Coroner's inquest
An inquest is a formal public inquiry, but most cases referred to the coroner do not involve an inquest.
If there is to be an inquest the coroner will open it pending the results of the post mortem and other tests and will provide the burial order or a Certificate for Cremation to the funeral director.
In these circumstances you will not have to register the death – this will be done by the coroner.
The coroner will issue you with an interim certificate should you need to inform the bank, building society or insurance companies of your loved one's death.
Hospital post mortem
In some cases, the medical team caring for your loved one may ask your permission to conduct a post mortem to better understand the nature of the illness and the effects of treatment and surgery. You have the right to refuse such a request or specify which aspects of the post mortem you are prepared to allow and which you wish to refuse.
Talking to a doctor may help you to decide whether you wish to give permission.
A hospital post mortem should not delay issue of a medical cause of death certificate and registration of the death; you can begin to make funeral arrangements while waiting for the post mortem to take place.
You or an agreed family representative must return to the hospital to complete the relevant paperwork unless you live far away, in which case we may ask your GP to help with this. The hospital will supply you with the relevant forms, but you can also open the post mortem consent form at the foot of this page.
Registering a death
Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death
You will need to collect a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death from the patient support co-ordinator who will arrange to have this ready for when you attend your appointment. You will need this certificate in order to register the death.
Registration
A death must be registered in the district in which it occurred. All deaths at Royal Brompton Hospital must be registered at:
The Registrar’s Office
Chelsea Old Town Hall
Kings Road (Entrance is in Chelsea Manor Street).
SW3 5EE
Tel: 020 7361 4100
You can visit the registrar’s office between the following hours. Alternatively, you can make an appointment by telephoning the above number.
Monday to Friday 9.00am-12.30pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm.
The office is closed from 12.30pm on the last Wednesday of every month.
All deaths at Harefield Hospital must be registered at:
The Registrar’s Office
Civic Centre
Uxbridge
UB8 1UW
Tel: 01895 250 418
You can visit the registrar’s office between the following hours. However, you are advised to make an appointment by telephoning the above number Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm.
When to register the death
Legally the death must be registered within five working days. Further information can be obtained from the reception staff at Chelsea or Uxbridge Registrar’s Offices.
Who is able to register a death
There are a number of people who are able to register the death. In the first instance it would usually be the closest relative but people who were present at the time of death are also able to register.
Close relatives should be aware that the name of the person nominated by them to register the death will appear on the official death certificate.
An executor is not automatically entitled to register a death. Further information on persons able to register a death is available from the patient support coordinator or the local Registrar’s Office.
What documents will I need?
When you go to the Registrar’s Office you must take the Medical Cause of Death Certificate issued by the hospital.
Please also take:
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The NHS medical card belonging to the deceased person (if available).
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Any pension book, certificate or document relating to any pensions or benefits that the deceased was receiving from public funds (if available).
It would also be useful if you have the deceased’s birth and (if applicable) marriage certificates. However, these documents are not essential provided you are able to give the registrar the correct information.
What questions will I be asked?
The registrar will need to know the following about the deceased:
- The date and place of death.
- The last (usual) address.
- The full names and surname (and the maiden name where applicable).
- The date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and the country if born abroad).
- Occupation of the deceased and the name and occupation of their spouse and of previous spouses (if applicable).
- Whether the person was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.
What will the registrar give you?
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The official death certificate (explained below)
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A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the green form). This gives permission for the body to be buried, or for an application for cremation to be made, this should be given to the funeral director as soon as possible.
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A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8). This is for social security purposes only - please follow the instructions on the certificate.
The death certificate
The death certificate given to you by the Registrar is the official death certificate. It is different from the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death given to you by the hospital. It is a certified copy of the entry in the death register.
The Registrar will issue certified copies of the death certificate entry on payment of a fee of £3.50.
You will need copies of the official death certificate for dealing with matters including bank accounts, pension claims, insurance policies, wills, savings certificates and premium bonds.
Several copies of the death certificate should be purchased at the time of registration as photocopies are not accepted for any of the purposes described above.
Please note that if you require further copies of the death certificate at a later date the fee is higher.
Repatriation
If the deceased is to be taken overseas, the hospital will provide the relatives with a Free From Infection (FFI) Form.
This will be given to the funeral director who will apply to the coroner for an Out of England Form. Please note, this form is also required if the deceased is being returned to Scotland.
You must inform the patient support co-ordinator so the relevant paperwork can be organised. Your nominated funeral director will be able to advise on repatriation.
Arranging a funeral
Once you have appointed a funeral director, they will advise you on arrangements and all costs and any financial aid that may be available.
Costs may include:
- Notice in local newspapers
- Church and ministers' fees
- Flowers
- A burial plot or crematorium fees
