Registering a death

What to do

If you have any difficulties with English please let us know so we can arrange an interpreter for you. If you know someone who is willing to interpret for you please bring them with you. Registration is a legal process so it is important you understand what is required.

How quickly should a death be registered?

You should register a death within five days. In some cases, however, a death may be reported to the coroner and registration may be delayed. If you have any questions please contact us.

Who can register the death?

Most deaths take place in a house or an institution (like a hospital) and the law says under these circumstances the people who can register a death are:

• A relative of the deceased
• A person who was present at the death
• The occupier of the house or institution where the death took place, if there is no known relative able to register
• The person who is arranging the funeral.

Where can I register the death?

You should register the death in the registration district where it took place. However, if it’s difficult for you to get there, please contact the Register Office for advice.

What information will the registrar require?

• You will need to provide the following information:
• Date and place of death
• Full name of the person who has died
• For women, their maiden name if married
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation of the person. For a married woman, we also need the full name and occupation of her husband.
• Usual address
• Whether the person was receiving a public funded pension
• If married, the date of birth of the spouse
• If available, the National Health Service Number or NHS card.

What documents will the registrar give me?

You will be given a special form to take to the undertaker. In some cases this may be issued by the Coroner. The Registrar will also issue a form for the Department of Works and Pensions. This should be filled in and sent, or taken, to the nearest DSS office if applicable. Certified copies of the entry may be purchased.

Emergency burial certificates

You can get Emergency Burial certificates on Saturdays between 9.30am and 11.30am. Please contact the Registrar first on: 020 7364 7880 (General advice)

On Sundays and Bank Holidays there is a standby service for Emergency Burial Certificates only between 9am and 10am. You can contact a registrar on:

Tel: 07961 132 994

Tel: 07946 390 834

Tel: 07939 510 538

It is important that you check the register very carefully before signing it. It is a legal record, which is very difficult to correct at a later date.

Death certificates can be purchased at the time of the registration the cost is £3.50.

Once the register is deposited with the Superintendent Registrar the fee will be £7.

If you have further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Tower Hamlets Register Office.

Related information

Request a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate online