After the death of a loved one, the days that follow can feel overwhelming and confusing. As the next of kin or a close family member, there are important steps that need to be taken both immediately and in the first few days.
Below you will find detailed, step-by-step guides outlining what to do after a death as a next of kin or family member.
➡️What to do when someone dies: step by step – GOV.UK
➡️What to do when someone dies: step-by-step checklist | Age UK
Roles/ Terminology
|
| Medical Examiner |
Medical examiners are senior medical doctors, who are trained in the legal and clinical elements of death certification processes. Their role is to independently assess the cause of death. Since 2024, all community deaths (home or care home) that are not referred to the coroner must also be reviewed by a Medical Examiner before the MCCD is released. |
| Coroner |
Investigates deaths that are sudden, unexplained, or potentially unnatural |
| MCCD |
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is the document that states the medical cause of death. It is completed by a doctor and reviewed by a Medical Examiner and is required before a death can be registered. |
How the The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is obtained
If the death occurs in Hospital:
- A hospital doctor who cared for the patient during their final illness usually completes the MCCD..
- Case is reviewed by the Medical Examiner.
- If no coroner referral is needed, the hospital doctor completes the MCCD.
- The bereavement office contacts the family to collect the MCCD and/or sends the MCCD directly to the Register Office.
If the death occurs at home or in a care home:
- GP is informed and confirms death (or a paramedic does, with GP follow‑up).
- GP reviews records and decides if they can complete the MCCD.
- Medical Examiner reviews the case signs the MCCD and returns to the GP.
- If no coroner referral is needed, the GP completes the MCCD.
- The GP practice sends the completed MCCD back to the Medical Examiner for second signing.
- The Medical Examiner then sends the certificate directly to the Register Office.
- The next-of-kin will received a confirmation notification that the certificate has been received by the Register Office.
When the Coroner will and won't be involved
The Coroner Will Be Involved When:
- The cause of death is unknown.
- The death was sudden, unexpected, or unexplained.
- The death may be unnatural (accident, suicide, industrial disease).
- The person died during or shortly after surgery.
- The doctor cannot certify a natural cause.
The Coroner Will Not Be Involved When:
- A doctor can confidently state a natural cause of death.
- The patient was seen during their last illness.
- There are no suspicious or unexplained circumstances.
- The Medical Examiner review raises no concerns.
If the coroner is involved:
- The coroner decides whether to investigate.
- If they take over, the doctor does not issue an MCCD.
- The coroner provides the paperwork needed to register the death.
Registering the Death
Once the cause of death certificate is sent to the local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths. You must register the death within 5 days, unless the coroner is involved.
1.Find a Register Office
- You can use any register office, but it’s quickest to go to one in the area where the person died.
- Most offices need you to book an appointment, so call ahead
➡️Find a Register Office
2.Information You’ll Need
The registrar will ask for:
- Date and place of death
- Full name of the person who died (including any previous names)
- Date and place of birth
- Usual address
- Their most recent job (and whether they were retired)
- Whether they received benefits, including State Pension
- Details of their spouse or civil partner (name, date of birth, occupation), even if they have died
If you have them, take any of these documents:
- Birth certificate
- NHS number or medical card
- Passport
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Driving licence
- Proof of address
3.What the Registrar Will Give You
- After the appointment, you will receive:
- A Green Form (certificate for burial or cremation)
- A Tell Us Once code to report the death to government departments
- A death certificate (you’ll need to pay for each copy)
Grief after bereavement or loss
Most people experience grief when they lose someone important to them, some of the most common symptoms include:
- shock and numbness – this is usually the first reaction to loss, and people often talk about “being in a daze”
- overwhelming sadness, with lots of crying
- tiredness or exhaustion
- anger – towards the person you’ve lost or the reason for your loss
- guilt – for example, guilt about feeling angry, about something you said or did not say, or not being able to stop your loved one dying
These feelings may not be there all the time and powerful feelings may appear unexpectedly.
It’s not always easy to recognise when bereavement, grief or loss are the reason you’re acting or feeling differently.
➡️Click here for more information on Grief or Bereavement
Berevement Councelling
Space2grieve offers free, confidential, one-to-one bereavement support to anyone living in Richmond borough.
Highly-trained bereavement support specialists can listen, understand, and support you as you find your way forward.
➡️Visit the Website
