Registering a death

Who is the service available to?

Any person needing to effect a burial at short notice, providing the death occurred in the Rotherham Registration District and all necessary documentation is available and valid.

When is the service available?

Saturdays 11:00 to 13:00 at Rotherham Hospital. Telephone 01709 304084.

Sundays and Public Holidays from 10:30 to 16:30 excluding, Christmas day, Boxing day, New Years Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Telephone 07748142634.

What documents can the Registrar issue?

• Burial in this country - without reference to the Coroner

There is provision for a burial to go ahead prior to registering a death. 

The registrar can issue a green form 9 (certificate of disposal) on production of a valid medical certificate of cause of death or coroners form 100b certificate.

This would is sufficient for a burial to take place.

• Burial with reference to the Coroner - referable death or repatriation

If a death has been referred to the coroner, a Registrar cannot issue a green form 9 (certificate of disposal) until all appropriate documentation is received from the Coroners Office.

In order for a body to be removed from England the Coroner must give permission for the body to be removed from his/her jurisdiction by issuing (Form 104 - revised).

If the Coroner has given permission for the body to be removed from England, following issue of appropriate paperwork, there is no legal requirement for the death to be registered before the body is removed. 

However, most airlines require a death certificate before transporting a body.

Currently the Registration Service is not resourced to provide death registration outside of normal business hours, which are Monday to Friday 8:30 to 5:00.

Follow up procedures

Registration should take place within 5 days of the death occurring in accordance with usual practice.

Exceptionally this time limit can be extended to 14 days with statutory notification:

• Form 65 or 66 - Medical certificate of cause of death
• Form 100a - peach form issued by Coroner when a referral has been made but no further action is required by the Coroners Office
• Form 100b -  pink form issued by Coroner where a post mortem has taken place
• Form 99 revised - issued by Coroner where an inquest has taken place

This procedure is picked up by the registrar, providing they are aware that the death has occurred.

Last updated 04/04/2012