Births, deaths and ceremonies FAQs - deaths

I need to register a death. Do I need an appointment?

Yes, you must have a face-to-face appointment with the Registrar.

You will be notified when the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has been forwarded to us and advised to book an appointment through our online system to register the death. 

An appointment cannot be booked until you have received this notification from the Medical Examiner.

We regret that legislation does not allow the death to be registered remotely, such as online, by email or by telephone.

Who can register a death?

The death must be registered by a “qualified informant” who will attend the office to complete the registration. 

A qualified informant is:

  • A relative by blood, marriage or adoption of the person who has died
  • The partner of the person who has died
  • A person who is not related but was present at the death
  • A person who is arranging the funeral
  • An occupier of a building such as a care or nursing home manager
  • The personal representative of the deceased i.e. someone appointed by them or their family such as a solicitor

What happens if there are no qualified informant?

If there is no qualified informant to register, then you should contact us via 0345 678 9016 or email registrars@shropshire.gov.uk.

The death did not take place in Shropshire. Can I still register at a Shropshire register office?

A death can only be registered in the district where it occurred. 

If you're not able to travel to the district in which the death occurred then you can contact your local register office to enquire about making a declaration of registration if the death occurred in England, Wales or Northern Island. Please note that the death certificates or green form can only be issued by the district in which the death took place.

Do you offer the Tell Us Once service?

Yes, we're able to offer the Tell Us Once service to all our death registration appointments. The registrar will issue a reference number and instructions on how to complete this and will go through this with you within the appointment. 

Someone passed away abroad, can I still register the death in this country?

No, there is no facility to register the death in this country if it occurred abroad. However, we are able to offer the Tell Us Once code to deaths that have taken place abroad. Please contact us on 0345 678 9016 or registrars@shropshire.gov.uk for more information.

In what circumstances would the Coroner become involved after a death?

In some circumstances the death may be reported to the coroner. Doctors are required to report these by law. If the death has been reported to the coroner’s office this may delay your appointment. Once we have received all documentation from the coroner’s office to be able to complete the registration, we will contact you. To pass on your details and allow us to contact you as soon as possible then please call us on 0345 678 9016 or email registrars@shropshire.gov.uk

The coroners have conducted a post mortem, am I able to register?

Yes, once the coroners have finished their investigation and received everything they require, they will then send the paperwork through to us and we will contact you to make you an appointment. 

An inquest has been opened into the death, how long until I am able to register?

If the coroner opens an inquest into the death, they'll provide all the documentation needed for the funeral and to deal with any estates. Once the inquest has been concluded, we will receive the documentation and register the death. There is no need for a qualified informant to attend. Once we have registered, we will contact the next of kin to advise this and how to order any death certificate. 

Once I have registered, what documents will be issued?
  • You will receive information about using the Tell Us Once Service
  • Certified copies of the death entry (death certificate) – there is a fee of £12.50 for these certificates you can also request a copy
  • The registrar will also scan and send the green form (a certificate for burial or cremation) to the funeral director, if the coroner has not already issued the document)

Am I eligible for any benefits or assistance with the funeral costs?

The registrar is not able to advise on benefits or assistance with funeral costs. Full details can be found on GOV.UK website.

Can you tell me where someone is buried or cremated?

No, unfortunately the register office does not hold any records of burials or cremations.