Registering a Death
All deaths must be registered at the register office within 5 working days. Unless the death has been referred to the coroner in which case, they will tell you when you can register
Essex County Council – 03456 037632 – Website
Southend Borough Council – 01702 215009 – Website
Thurrock Council – 01375 372822 – Website
Where to Register A Death
You can go to any register office. If you use the one in the area where the person died, you’ll be given the documents you’ll need on the day you register.
If you use a Register Office in a different area, the documents will be sent to the office in the area where the person died before they are issued to you. This means you will usually wait a few days.
Addresses of local Register Offices can be found in your local telephone directory or on the local government websites. However, you will need to make an appointment.
Both Essex County Council and Southend Borough Council offer the facility to make an appointment on-line.
Who can register a death?
- A relative
- A person present at the death
- A person responsible for the funeral
- A responsible person from the hospital or home where the person died
- Someone who lives in the house where the person died
What the Registrar will require?
- Medical certificate of cause of death (that was issued by the Doctor)
- Date and place of death
- Full names of the deceased and any other names that might have been used in the past
- Usual home address and postcode
- Date of birth of the deceased
- The maiden surname (if the person who died was married or a widow)
- Occupation of the deceased
- Full name and occupation of the spouse, if married
- The NHS Number or medical card if available
- Details of any pension or allowance from public funds
It would also be helpful if you could take the birth certificate for the deceased if you have it.
The Registrar will issue:
- A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (green in colour) which should be handed to your funeral director
- A form to be completed by you and sent to the Department for Work and Pensions, with any benefit or pension details
At the time of registering the death, you can obtain certified copies of the entry in the Register (a charge will be made for additional copies).
Many organisations (such as Insurance companies, Banks, etc) will need to see a copy of the Certified Copy of the Entry in the Register, you might therefor consider obtaining more than one certificate.
If you have any questions, please contact us.