Register a death
From 9 September 2024, there are changes to the death registration process in England – for full details, go to GOV.UK: Death certification reforms.
A death should be registered in the district where it occurred.
If the death took place in Basildon Hospital, you should contact Essex County Council.
Before a death is registered
In Thurrock, deaths are referred either to a NHS medical examiner or, in some cases, the Essex Coroner's Service.
A medical examiner is an independent senior medical practitioner who:
- provides independent scrutiny of causes of death
- gives bereaved people a chance to ask questions and raise concerns with someone who wasn't involved in providing care to the deceased person before their death
- reviews medical records and works with doctors to complete the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) to help ensure this is accurate and to raise any concerns about care the deceased person received before their death
The medical examiner will:
- contact you to discuss the cause of death and ask if you have questions or concerns about the care received by the deceased before their death
- give you advice on what to do if the coroner has been informed of the death
- issue the MCCD to our Register Office, along with contact details of the person who will be required by law to register the death
Who may be required to register a death
The following people may be required to register a death:
- relative or partner of the deceased
- someone who was present at the death
- the person making the arrangements with the funeral director
- the occupier of the house or an official from the public building, such as a hospital, where the death occurred
Arranging an appointment
If you are required to register a death, we will contact you to make an appointment as soon as we receive the MCCD and your contact details.
Our registrar will talk with you regarding the information you will need. They will also agree a date and time for your appointment.
Attending your appointment
On the date and time of your appointment you will need to attend Thurrock Register Office to provide information for the registration.
Our registrar will talk with you in private and ask questions about the person who has died. We will be as sympathetic and supportive as possible. We will answer all the questions you may have.
You will need to know the deceased's:
- date and place of death
- full name and surname, and if the deceased was a married woman, the surname/family name used before marriage
- date and place of birth
- occupation, and if the deceased was a married woman or widow, the full name and occupation of her husband
- usual address
It would be helpful if you could also let us know:
- if the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
- whether the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds along with their National Insurance number it will help some organisations match their records faster.
- the NHS number of the deceased, which has 10 digits – for example, 485 777 3456 – and can be found on any letter from the NHS such as a prescription or appointment letter
We can also give you a document to enable you to make the funeral arrangements or, if you prefer, we can send it by email direct to the undertaker.
If the death was referred to the coroner, there may be other procedures.
You may also wish to purchase a copy death certificate at this time. You may need this for:
- probate or letters of administration
- banks and building society accounts
- insurance companies
- stocks and shares
- solicitors
- other purposes
If you need to purchase more copy certificates, you can still do so at any time in the future.