Register a death
What happens next?
When someone passes away, their doctor will complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This MCCD is then sent to the Medical Examiner to review before the death can be formally registered.
The Medical Examiner will contact the Next of Kin to address any concerns before sending the necessary paperwork to the register office.
Once the MCCD has been received by the register office, the registrar will contact the Next of Kin to arrange an appointment to register the death. This appointment should be completed within 5 days of the register office receiving the paperwork.
If the death is referred to the coroner, the coroner's office will inform the Next of Kin once the registration can take place.
If the person passed away outside Powys, you must contact the register office in the county where the death happened to register the death. If you are unable travel to the county to register in person you may be able to register by "declaration" at your local office. Please note that if you complete a declaration, you will not receive the certificate for burial or cremation (the green form) or the death certificates - you will need to arrange these with the register office in the district in which the death occurred.
If you have spoken to the Medical Examiner's office, but haven't heard from the registrar, please call the register office on 01597 827468.
Please note: You cannot make an appointment until the Medical Examiner's scrutiny is complete.
Who can Register?
Certain people have a legal duty to complete the registration. In order of preference, they are as follows:
- A relative or partner of the deceased.
- A personal representative of the deceased
- A person present at the death.
- A senior administrator at the care home or hospital in which the death occurred.
- The person arranging the burial or cremation
Medical Examiner
Following the introduction of the statutory Medical Examiner service on 9th September 2024, all deaths in England and Wales without coroner involvement will be reviewed by the Medical Examiner Service.
The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership hosts the Medical Examiner Service, which independently reviews all deaths not being investigated by the coroner.
Medical Examiners, who are experienced doctors with specialised training in death certification, will ensure the cause of death is accurately recorded. They will identify any concerns for further investigation by the care provider or coroner if needed and consider the views of the bereaved.
More information: https://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/medical-examiner-service/
Copy Certificates
You can obtain as many certificates as required at your appointment. They will be needed for the administration of the estate. There is a fee for certificates payable to the registration service.
If you need to order more certificates after the appointment you can call us on 01597827468 or order online
Tell Us Once
Tell Us Once is a free service offered by the UK government allowing you to inform various local and central government organisation without sending them certificates.
You will need a login code from the registrars to complete this service, this will be given to you at your appointment.
If you have received an interim certificate from the coroner, you can contact the registrar to obtain a code to complete the service on 01597 827468, or by emailing the interim certificate to registrar@powys.gov.uk
More information: https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
Useful links
Burial and cremation - https://en.powys.gov.uk/Cemeteries
Public health funerals - https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/4480/Public-health-funerals
What to do when someone dies: step by step - GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies
Get help with funeral costs - https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
Share this page
