When someone dies at home and the death was not sudden, you need to telephone their GP to arrange for the issue of a death certificate. This is essential to register the death (which must be registered within seven days of death).
If a death is unexpected the Coroner will be involved, and the Coroner’s officer will provide updates about when the death can be registered.
When a loved-one dies unexpectedly at home, the Coroner’s removal company will take away the body. There is no requirement to use this company to take charge of the funeral arrangements. You are of course free to make your own choice of funeral director, also you may already have an existing prepaid Funeral Plan with your own funeral director.
The Registrar will need to know:
• Date and Place of Death
• Full Name of the Deceased
• Occupation of the Deceased
• Address of the Deceased
• Next of kin
• Name of person registering death
Opening hours for the local Registrars’ offices are as follows:
Gateshead Register Office
Gateshead Civic Centre Regent Street Gateshead
NE8 1HH
Tel: (0191) 433 2207 or (0191) 433 2208
Newcastle Register Office
Civic Centre Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8PS
Tel: (0191) 211 5091