Why Register a Death?

By law all deaths in Northern Ireland must be registered in Northern Ireland. A death should be registered as soon as possible to allow funeral arrangements to be made but no later than 5 days from the date of occurrence except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner.

What do You Need to Register a Death?

A medical certificate of cause of death issued by a doctor who has treated the deceased within twenty-eight days before the date of death. If the deceased had not been seen by a doctor within that period or where the death was not caused by natural illness the case would have been referred to the Coroner - The Registrar or Funeral Director will advise you.

Death Referred to a Coroner

If a death has been referred to the Coroner, funeral arrangements should not be made before the consent of the Coroner has been obtained.

The death can be registered and a Death Certificate issued only after the Registrar has received the necessary certificate from the Coroner.

When the Registrar's office receives the appropriate form they will contact a relative of the deceased and ask them to call and register the death.

What Does it Cost to Register a Death?

There is no cost for registering a death. The only cost will be for copies of the death certificate, if required.

Where Can a Death be Registered?

With the Registrar in the district in which the person died or in the district in which the person normally lived, if within Northern Ireland.

Who Can register a Death?

• Any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the details required to be registered (this includes a relative by marriage).
• A person present at the death.
• A person taking care of the funeral arrangements.
• The executor or administrator of the deceased's estate.
• The governor, matron or chief officer of a public building where the death occurred.
• A person living in and responsible for a house, lodgings or apartments where the death occurred.
• A person finding the body, or a person taking charge of the body.

What Information Will You Need to Give the Registrar?

• Full name and surname of the deceased.
• Date and place of death and usual address.
• Marital status (single, married, widowed or divorced).
• Date and place of birth.
• Occupation of the deceased (if the deceased was a wife or widow, the full names and occupation of her husband or deceased husband will be required. If the deceased was a child, the full names and occupation of the father will be required or where the parents are not married the full names and occupation of the mother will be required).
• Maiden surname (if the deceased was a woman who had married)
• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
• The name and address of the deceased's GP.
• Details of any pension apart from a state pension that the deceased may have held.

What Will the Registrar Give You?

Once the registration is complete the Registrar will issue with a GRO 21 which permits the burial or cremation to take place, and a Form 36 for production to the Social Security Offices regarding benefits.

For further details visit the General Registrar of Northern Ireland: www.groni.gov.uk