When a loved one passes away FAQs

The Government’s website has useful information about how to register a death, as well as how to find your local Registration Office. It also gives you access to their ‘Tell us once’ service, which lets you notify them of a death and informs all the relevant Government departments.

Once the death has been registered, you’ll receive a death certificate. This can take a few days to arrive. If you need additional copies, they can be bought from the Registration Office, or you can copy the certificate yourself providing it is then certified.

Copies of death certificates can be certified by a professional or regulated person such as a Solicitor, Doctor, Dentist, Chemist, Nurse (SRM or SRN), Teacher, Bank Official etc. The certified copy must state “this is a true copy of the original document”.

You can notify us of a death by using the Death Notification Service. This is a free online service that notifies banks and building societies of a death. It’s quick and easy to do and you’ll find out more on our ‘What to do when a loved one passes away’ page.

Should you require emotional support in dealing with your bereavement, free support is available from Cruse Bereavement Care and the Samaritans.