arranging a funeral
Registration
How a Death is Registered
The death must be registered at an Office of Registration, as soon as possible, and usually within five days of the death, (unless the Registrar extends this period). The death can now be registered at different offices, except in Portsmouth or Southampton, which are Unitary Councils. The doctor who certifies the death will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which must be handed to the Registrar. If the death is referred to a Coroner, the procedure is slightly different and we will advise of the arrangements concerning this.
Opening times
All Hampshire Register offices, including Fareham and Gosport
Please phone 0845 603 5637,
between 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday and 9:30am - 4pm Saturday
Fareham Register office
4 - 8 Osborn Road South, Fareham PO16 7DG Tel: 0845 603 5637
Gosport Register office
Town Hall, Gosport Tel: 0845 603 5637
Portsmouth Register office
Milldam House, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3AF Tel: 023 9275 6597
Southampton Register office
6a Bugle Street Southampton SO14 2LX Tel: 023 8063 1422
Who may Register?
Regulations state that only certain people are entitled to register a death.
a. A relative of the deceased who was present at the time of death.
b. A relative of the deceased, in attendance during the last illness.
c. A relative of the deceased residing in the same local district.
d. A person present at the time of death.
The occupier of the home, i.e. Matron or Officer in Charge of a rest home or nursing home, provided they knew of the illness before the death.
An inmate residing in the same property, provided they knew of the illness before the death and have relevant details in order to register.
The person causing the disposal of the deceased, i.e. Executor or Solicitor.
At the Registration Office
You will need to take the following:-
a. TheMedical Certificate of the Cause of Death.
b. The deceased’s Medical Card, if possible.
c. Any forms given to you from a Coroner, if applicable. Although these may be sent separately.
You should tell the Registrar:-
a. The date and place of death.
b. The deceased’s last (usual) address.
c. The deceased’s first names, surnames and maiden name if appropriate.
d. The deceased’s date and place of birth.
e. The deceased’s occupation and that of her husband, if applicable.
Whether the deceased was receiving any pension or benefits allowance.
If the deceased was married, the date of birth of surviving spouse.
What the Registrar will give you
A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Green Form), which will be required by the funeral director before the funeral takes place. If the Coroner has been involved, a Certificate for Cremation will be issued and the funeral director will collect this on your behalf; a Certificate of Registration of Death (BD8) for the Department for Work and Pensions and copies of the Entry of Death (the Death Certificate), which will be needed by the Executors of the Estate. Normally two or three copies are sufficient for these purposes. There is a small charge for extra copies.
a. Local Social Services, if meals on wheels, home help, day centre transport was used.
b. Any Hospital the person was attending.
c. The family doctor.
d. The local Inland Revenue Office, also National insurance
e. The local Social Security Office, to cancel pensions, allowances, benefits, etc.
f. Any employer or trade union.
g. A child's or person's teacher, employer or college should be Informed and close family members has died.
h. Car Insurance company - people driving a car insured in the deceased's name are not legally insured. And DVLA
i. Local offices of British Gas, Electricity, British Telecom, Royal
Mail deliveries, and local Newsagent.
j. If the deceased was receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, the local Housing
Department, also if the deceased was living in property rented from the Council or any Landlord if the deceased lived in rented accommodation.
