Registering the Death

Who can register the Death?

People with legal responsibility to register include:

• A Relative
• A person present at the death
• The occupier of the premises where the death occurred if they knew it was happening.
• The person arranging the funeral. (This does not mean the funeral director.)

(See also the list on the notice to Informants attached to the Doctors’ Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.)

Where do I register the death?

All offices operate a strict pre-booked appointment system

Castle Point Council areas

South Benfleet Library,

264 High Road,

South Benfleet,  SS7 5HD

Office open: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 9 am – 5 pm

Rayleigh and Rochford Council areas

Rayleigh Library,

132-134 High Street,

Rayleigh, SS6 7BX

Office open: Monday: 9 am – 5 pm

or

Rochford Library,

8 Roche Close,

Rochford, SS4 1PX

Office open: Thursday 9.30 am – 4.30 pm

Centralised Appointment’s Booking No: 0345 603 7632

or book online @ www.essex.gov.uk

Southend Borough Council areas

• Leigh-on-sea
• Westcliff
• Southend (inc. Southend Hospital)
• Shoeburyness

The Civic Centre

Victoria Avenue,

Southend-on-Sea  SS2 6ER

Monday – Friday 9.30 am – 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm – 4 pm

Appointments Booking No.: 01702 215009

“Tell Us Once” Service

Tell Us Once is a free service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. When you register the death, the registrar will give you the service’s phone number and a unique reference number to use the “Tell Us Once” service online or by phone. After registering the death, you must use the service within 28 days.

Before you use “Tell Us Once.”

You’ll need the following details of the person who died:

• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Driving licence number
• Vehicle registration number
• Passport number

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CORONER IS INVOLVED IN THE DEATH?

If the Doctor cannot certify the cause of Death, i.e. the deceased died suddenly, they will notify the Coroner. The Coroner must investigate the circumstances of the death to try to establish the cause. Once the Coroner has been informed, they will arrange for the deceased to be taken to the local hospital, and a post-mortem examination may occur. A post-mortem examination is a medical examination of the body to establish more about the cause of death; contact details for the Coroner’s service are below.

Southend & Essex Coroners Service

0333 0135000

Ground floor Seax House Essex County Council Victoria Road South Chelmsford CM1 1LX