When someone passes away it can be a difficult time with so many questions to answer:

How quickly do I need to inform a funeral director when someone dies?

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What do I have to do to get a death certificate?

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Where can I arrange a burial or cremation?

Here we set out the first steps for you, depending on the circumstances of the death.

WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY AT HOME

• When someone has passed away at home the first thing you must do is call their doctor or NHS 111 so that a doctor can come and certify the death. 
   

• If the death has occurred unexpectedly, the emergency services must be called who will take the deceased to the coroner’s office.
   

• There may need to be a coroner’s inquest, they will be responsible for issuing the death certificate for the registrar, this can take some time.
   

• When you are ready you can call us, any time of day or night, to arrange bringing your loved one into our care. Collections outside of office hours may incur an extra fee.
   

• When you are ready to begin the funeral arrangements please call us to make an appointment at our offices, or your home at a time which is convenient to you
   

• Below there is a list of registrars in the Bristol area which you will need to contact within 5 days to register the death. The registrar provides a green form and death certificates which are essential for the burial or cremation to take place. 

• You will need to take the following in order to register the death: NHS card (also called the medical card), birth certificate, driving licence, council tax bill, marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable), if possible please take the National Insurance Number of the deceased. Please note, as the next of kin you will also need to take some identification with you   (ie. passport, proof of address, utility bill)

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The Old Council House

register.office@bristol.gov.uk   

01179 222 800

The Old Council House, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JG 

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South Gloucestershire Council

registrationservice@southglos.gov.uk, 

01454 863140

South Gloucestershire Council, Kingswood Civic Centre, High St, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 9TR

WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY IN HOSPITAL

• When someone passes away in hospital, a doctor will issue the death certificate.
   

• If you are arranging a cremation please inform the hospital as they will need to complete the correct cremation paperwork.
   

• When you are ready to begin the funeral arrangements please call us to make an appointment at our offices, or your home at a time which is convenient to you​

​

• Below there is a list of registrars in the Bristol area which you will need to contact within 5 days to register the death. The registrar provides a green form and death certificates which are essential for the burial or cremation to take place.   
   

• You will need to take the following in order to register the death: NHS card (also called the medical card), birth certificate, driving licence, council tax bill, marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable), if possible please take the National Insurance Number of the deceased. Please note, as the next of kin you will also need to take some identification with you   (ie. passport, proof of address, utility bill)

​​

The Old Council House

register.office@bristol.gov.uk

01179 222 800

The Old Council House, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JG 

​​

South Gloucestershire Council

registrationservice@southglos.gov.uk

01454 863140

South Gloucestershire Council, Kingswood Civic Centre, High St, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 9TR

WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY IN A CARE HOME

• When someone passes away in a care home, a doctor will be called to issue the death certificate. 
   

• If your loved one passes away in a care home, the care home will liaise with us and we will arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care as soon as possible. Collections outside of office hours may incur an extra fee.
   

• When you are ready to begin the funeral arrangements please call us to make an appointment at our offices, or your home at a time which is convenient to you.

​

• Below there is a list of registrars in the Bristol area which you will need to contact within 5 days to register the death. The registrar provides a green form and death certificates which are essential for the burial or cremation to take place.   
   

• You will need to take the following in order to register the death: NHS card (also called the medical card), birth certificate, driving licence, council tax bill, marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable), if possible please take the National Insurance Number of the deceased. Please note, as the next of kin you will also need to take some identification with you   (ie. passport, proof of address, utility bill)

​​

The Old Council House

register.office@bristol.gov.uk

01179 222 800

The Old Council House, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JG 

​​​

South Gloucestershire Council

registrationservice@southglos.gov.uk

01454 863140

South Gloucestershire Council, Kingswood Civic Centre, High St, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 9TR

WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY ABROAD

• If you’re in the UK, you need to inform the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 
   

• If you’re with the person who has died, you need to contact the local British Embassy.
   

• Please click here for further information and follow the country specific guidelines.
   

• We can help organise the repatriation.​

​

• Below there is a list of registrars in the Bristol area which you will need to contact within 5 days to register the death. The registrar provides a green form and death certificates which are essential for the burial or cremation to take place.   
   

• You will need to take the following in order to register the death: NHS card (also called the medical card), birth certificate, driving licence, council tax bill, marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable), if possible please take the National Insurance Number of the deceased. Please note, as the next of kin you will also need to take some identification with you   (ie. passport, proof of address, utility bill)

​

​The Old Council House

register.office@bristol.gov.uk

01179 222 800

The Old Council House, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JG 

​​

South Gloucestershire Council

registrationservice@southglos.gov.uk

01454 863140

South Gloucestershire Council, Kingswood Civic Centre, High St, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 9TR