Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences, and navigating the administrative steps that follow can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure where to begin.
To ease this burden, we’ve created a straightforward guide to answer common questions about the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and the process of registering a death. Here’s what you need to know to take the next steps with clarity and confidence.
What is the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)?
The MCCD is a vital document issued by a hospital or doctor to confirm the cause of death. This certificate is necessary for registering the death with the Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths.
In some cases, if the death occurred in a hospital, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death can not be issued right away if the death is referred to the Coroner. Once their investigation is complete, the Coroner will be responsible for releasing the MCCD.
This can happen in deaths that are considered to be unexpected or unexplained, during surgery or medical procedures, accidents, suspicious circumstances, etc.
There are some things you need to understand about this document in case the death did not occur in a hospital:
- The MCCD is issued unless the death has been referred to the Coroner for further investigation.
- It must be completed by a doctor who attended to the deceased during their admission or within the last 14 days. In some cases, the responsibility may fall to the General Practitioner (GP).
- The Bereavement Office will inform you when the MCCD and any other necessary documents are ready for collection.
Registering the Death
Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued, you can register the death. Here’s what you need to know:
Who Can Register a Death?
According to regulations, only certain individuals can register a death. These include:
- A relative of the deceased who was present at the time of death.
- A relative who attended to the deceased during their last illness.
- A relative residing in the same district as the deceased.
- A person present at the time of death.
- The person handling the funeral arrangements, such as an executor of the will or solicitor.
Where to register the death?
The death should ideally be registered at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. You can find your local Register Office by visiting the UK government’s website or by contacting your local council.
The price varies slightly by region but is usually around £11 per certified copy. Additional copies can be ordered at the time of registration or later, though it may take longer to process subsequent requests.
The documents you need to prepare and additional information for the registrar
Deaths must be officially registered to create a permanent legal record. This ensures that the government acknowledges the individual's passing.
In this case you will need to take the following document with you:
- The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
- The deceased’s birth certificate.
- Any forms provided by the Coroner, if applicable.
- Money to cover the cost of the death certificate.
After you have prepared all the legal documents try to gather additional information about the deceased that will be crucial for the death certificate. You will need to know:
- The date and place of death.
- Last known address.
- Their first and surname (additionally you’ll need to know their maiden name, in some cases).
- Date and place of birth.
- Their occupation and, if applicable, the name and occupation of the spouse.
- Any pensions or allowances received from public funds.
- Marital status.
Tell Us Once Service
Most Register Offices in the UK offer the Tell Us Once service, which helps notify multiple government departments (e.g., DWP, DVLA, and HMRC) of the death in one step. The service is optional but most people who register a death choose to use this option.
If you have any more questions about any topics we brought up today don’t hesitate to contact your local Bereavement Office.