You may register a death at any registry office in England or Wales, however, if it is in a district other than where the death took place, it can slow down the registration process significantly.  All deaths must be registered within five days of the death taking place unless a coroner is conducting an investigation.

Who can register a death?

If the person died in a house or hospital:

• a relative
• someone present at the death
• an occupant of the house where the death took place
• an official from the hospital where the death took place
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

If the death took place anywhere else:

• a relative
• someone present at the death
• the person who found the body
• the person in charge of the body
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

What to bring with you to the appointment

You will need to bring the following to your appointment:

• a medical certificate issued by a doctor showing the cause of death (if the death has been referred to a coroner, the coroner's office will advise you what to do)
• information about when and where the death occurred
• the full name of the deceased, including maiden name/s if applicable
• the deceased's date and place of birth
• the deceased's occupation
• the deceased's address
• if the deceased was a married woman, the full name and occupation of the deceased's husband.

Charges

Registering a death is free of charge. You will be given a document which allows you to arrange the burial or cremation and a certificate for social security purposes.

If you need copies of the death registration, for example, for probate or access to bank accounts, a fee of £3.50 per copy is payable to the registrar.

Making an appointment

The contact details for Weybrdige Registry Office are:

Weybridge Registry Office
Rylston
81 Oatlands Drive
Weybridge
KT13 9LN 
Telephone:  0300 200 1002 
Fax:  01932 794700 
e-mail  registration.weybridge@surreycc.gov.uk 

Further information

The Natural Death Centre
In The Hill House
Watley Lane, Twyford,
Winchester, SO21 1QX

Tel: 01962 712 690
Website: www.naturaldeath.org.uk