Registering a Death in Taunton & Wellington, Somerset. 

In most cases, whether a coroner is involved or not, the following procedure applies unless there is an inquest. For information on the inquest process, please refer to the next article.

Note- The "requirement" to register the death within 5 days is just a guideline.

Standard Procedure

When a person passes away, whether at home, in a nursing home, or in a hospital, the first step is to contact the registrar in Taunton. Provide them with your information. Before an appointment can be scheduled, the registrar needs to receive certain paperwork from the doctors, which the doctors will send directly. By giving the registrar your details, they will be able to contact you as soon as they have the necessary information, allowing you to make an appointment to register the death.

Appointment Requirements

For the appointment, you do not need to bring any documents as long as you can answer the following questions about the deceased:

- Date and place of birth

- Marital status

- Last occupation

- Chosen funeral directors

- Preference for cremation or burial

- Number of death certificate copies required

The number of death certificates needed depends on how many private accounts you will need to close, such as bank accounts, private pensions, personal insurances, and premium bonds.

Government Services Notification

For anything related to government services, such as state pensions, benefits, driving licenses, and passports, you can use the "Tell Us Once" service. After your appointment, the registrar will email you a "Tell Us Once" code along with a phone number. The instructions will be in the email, but essentially, you call the provided number, give them the code, and this will notify all relevant government services at once. This service is free and easy to use.

Funeral Director Notification

The registrar will send a copy of the death certificate (also known as the "green form") to your funeral director, as it is needed for the cremation or burial.

Death Certificate Costs

Death certificates currently cost £12.50 each. You can purchase additional copies after the appointment for the same price if needed.

If the coroner decides that an inquest into the death is necessary, an interim death certificate will be issued. In this case, you do not need to visit the registrar at this point. Your assigned coroner's officer will handle this. The interim certificate functions the same as a regular death certificate, allowing you to close accounts and providing you with a "Tell Us Once" code.

Once the inquest has concluded, which may take several months, you will need to contact the registrar, pay over the phone, and the official death certificate will be sent to you. Throughout this process, your assigned coroner's officer will assist you.

For more information or assistance, please contact Quantock Funeral Directors. We are here to support you during this difficult time.