Yes, before a funeral can take place, you must have a death certificate and a certificate of burial or cremation, commonly known as the "green form" given after registering the death, which is necessary for funeral arrangements.
You can begin to make funeral arrangements, and the funeral provider can pick up the deceased and take them into their care, but without these essential documents, a funeral - whether it's a burial, cremation, or direct cremation - cannot take place.
Any delay in obtaining a death certificate can lead to a postponement of the funeral and may result in fines. If you encounter delays in registration, promptly contact the local register office for guidance. Seeking assistance from a funeral service provider, such as Distinct Cremations, can also help navigate these challenges efficiently and ensure a smooth process.
A death certificate is a document you obtain after registering a death in the UK. The death certificate is an essential document required before arranging any type of funeral.
A death certificate facilitates matters such as estate settlements, pension claims, and insurance payouts, serving as a vital document for government agencies. This comprehensive document includes details such as the deceased's full name, date, and place of death, along with their age, occupation, marital status, and, if known, the cause of death, ensuring transparency and aiding in legal proceedings.
In the UK, death registration, overseen by local registrars, must occur promptly within specific deadlines: five days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and eight days in Scotland. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can lead to complications in funeral arrangements and potential legal ramifications.
While you cannot set a date for the funeral until the death has been officially registered, you can certainly initiate preliminary funeral arrangements. This allows you to begin the process of honouring your loved one's memory and preparing for the upcoming funeral service.
Before registration, there are several important tasks you can handle to streamline the funeral planning process. Firstly, you can research and select a reputable funeral provider who can guide you through the necessary steps and offer support. Additionally, you can start considering the type of ceremony you want, whether it's a direct cremation, a traditional funeral service, or a non-religious gathering. Discussing your preferences with the funeral provider can help ensure that your wishes are understood and accommodated.
It's understandable that navigating funeral arrangements can feel overwhelming, especially amidst the grief of losing a loved one. If you find yourself unsure about where to begin or have any concerns during this process, don't hesitate to reach out for guidance and support.
Our team at Distinct Cremations are here to assist you every step of the way, offering compassionate guidance and assistance to help you create a meaningful and dignified farewell for your loved one. Give us a call on 01543 211997 if you need assistance or have any questions.
Here's a step by step process of how to obtain the death certificate.
Once the death has occurred, you will need to have the death confirmed by a doctor. The doctor will then issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If the death was unexpected or suspicious, the death will be referred to the coroner. The coroner will advise you on your next step.
You can obtain the death certificate by visiting any register office in the UK, but it will be quicker to use one in the area where the person died. A death certificate cannot be obtained online. As there are different procedures for obtaining death certificates in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, your local register office will be able to provide you with accurate information and guidance. Find your local register office here.
Some register offices require you to make an appointment to obtain your death certificate and in some districts you can complete this over the phone. A relative, a person present at the death or a person arranging the funeral are all legally able to register the death.
The following information is required to obtain a death certificate: the full name and surname, date and place of birth, occupation (even if retired), address and Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. In the case of a married person, the full name and date of birth of their spouse, and their occupation is also needed.
Obtaining the death certificate is free, although you will have to pay for any additional copies. The prices for death certificates vary, depending on where in the UK you are based. In England and Wales, it’s £11, £8 in Northern Ireland and £10 in Scotland.
Processing times for obtaining a death certificate can fluctuate based on the workload of the register office. Often it takes no longer than 30 minutes, however there are situations where you might have to wait a few days.
It's easy to get a little overwhelmed at the sight of all the funeral paperwork that needs to be completed and all the jargon that you might encounter.
So here are a few quick definitions to make things easier:
| Paperwork | Purpose | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Certificate of Cause of Death | To provide clarity on the cause of death | This certificate is issued by a doctor when the cause of death is clear. If the cause is unclear, the case is referred to the coroner, and a specific form must be collected from the coroner by the funeral director or family |
| Death certificate / Green form | Essential documentation for funeral arrangements | A death certificate is obtained after registering a death in the UK. It's a prerequisite for arranging any funeral, be it a burial or cremation. If the death is investigated by a coroner, an Order for Burial or Cremation 6 form is issued instead |
| Cremation 1 form | Application for cremation | Completed by the nearest relative or executor of the will to apply for the cremation of the deceased |
| Cremation 4 form | Authorisation for cremation release | Filled out by a registered medical professional in conjunction with the Cremation 1 form to release the body for cremation |
| Cremation 6 form | Coroners' authorisation for cremation release | Required if the death is under investigation by the coroner. This form grants permission for cremation following the coroner's investigation |
| Burial form | Purchase or reopening of a grave | Completed by a funeral director or requested from the local council by the family for purchasing a grave or reopening an existing plot |
| Order for Burial / Form 101 | Coroners' authorisation for burial release | Similar to the Cremation 6 form, this is completed by coroners to authorise burial release if an investigation into the death is conducted. Prior approval from the coroner is necessary before proceeding with burial, granted via this form |
After you’ve registered the death, obtained the death certificate and a certificate of burial or cremation, you can go ahead with arranging the funeral. The burial or cremation form will need to be completed, but if you are using a funeral provider like Distinct Cremations, we can help you with the paperwork.
At Distinct Cremations, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Our expert customer service specialists will help to point you in the right direction and provide as much support and guidance as you need throughout the process, whenever you need us, 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week.
Our highly-trained and experienced team support families experiencing a bereavement each day. With a wealth of knowledge and experience gained by supporting families, we'll guide you on what you'll need to do and help to ease your burden by liaising with any hospitals and local authorities to get all of the information needed to keep moving forward.
Want more information? We're happy to answer any questions you may have about our funeral cremations over the phone, or you can request a free guide for details about what we offer.
Want to talk through our options? If you have questions or would like some in-person support we’re just a call away.
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Need some time to digest the details? You can download a PDF of our guide online or get a printed copy posted out.
Get our guideBefore someone dies, getting an understanding of what to do when someone dies, can help to ease the stress and confusion that you may face. Here's a handy checklist that will be of help with the legal requirements and the overall logistics for when the time comes.
Here at Distinct Cremations, we have created a free checklist for you to download which lets you know what you need to do when someone dies.
Download our checklist below or speak to our expert team on 01543 211997 today
Download free checklistBelow are a few more resources that may help when it comes to funeral documentation and organising a funeral.
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The required funeral documents
There are legal formalities that need to be completed shortly after someone dies. It may be the last thing you want to be doing at a time of mourning, but they're a necessary step before you can make any funeral arrangements.
How to register a death
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