How to register a death

 You are legally required to register a death. You need to register a death to obtain documents for the funeral director and for dealing with the deceased's estate.

Who can register the death?

The following people, in order of preference, are legally required to register a death:

• a relative
• a person present at the death
• the occupier of the premises where the death occurred, if he/she was aware of the death
• the person arranging the funeral (this does not mean the funeral director).

You must bring a medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor or hospital who was treating the deceased. The funeral director will advise you what to do if the Coroner has been informed of the death.

When should a death be registered?

A death should normally be registered within 5 days unless the Coroner is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Where should a death be registered?

A death should be registered in the district where it occurred. If the person died within the City of Manchester, you need to make an appointment with the Manchester Registration Service. Details of the death may be given at another register office by making a declaration. In this case the necessary documents cannot be issued immediately but will be sent to you in the post from the Manchester office when the declaration has been received. Please contact our office on 0161 234 5511 if you need further information or if you wish to make an appointment.

Appointments

You do need to make an appointment to register (please call 0161 234 5511). We will meet our appointment times as closely as possible. If you are late for your appointment we aim to see you within an hour. If you are early we will see you as soon as possible.

Parking near the Register Office is very difficult. If possible, use other transport (for information on train, bus and Metrolink services visit the GMPTE website (http://www.gmpte.com/) or contact 0161 228 7811).

We have a map showing nearby car parks and public transport points.

(see our Contact Us page for Manchester Register Office opening hours Contact Manchester Registration Service.)

If the death occurred at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital or North Manchester General Hospital you can arrange to register at the hospital. Appointments can be booked at the Bereavement Centre at each hospital.

• Manchester Royal Infirmary Bereavement Centre
  Tel: 0161 276 4109
• North Manchester General Hospital, Crumpsall
  Tel: 0161 720 2199
• Wythenshawe Hospital Bereavement Centre
  Tel: 0161 291 2360
• Christie Hospital
  Tel: 0161 446 3350 / 3898 

Please note that the registrar only attends Manchester Royal Infirmary on a Wednesday, North Manchester General Hospital on a Tuesday (pm only), Wythenshawe Hospital on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Christie Hospital on a Wednesday (pm only).

Issuing of documents prior to registration

When religion requires a burial within England or Wales and within 24 hours of death, a registrar will be available to issue the necessary forms out of office hours on Sundays and Bank Holidays

They will be available from 10am -10.30am at

Heaton Park Synagogue
Middleton Road
Crumpsall
Manchester

and from 11am -11.30am at

Manchester Town Hall
Albert Square
Manchester
M60 2LA

The registrar will also be available on the office mobile phone: 07720 913958 from 10am - 2.30pm on those days.