How to Register a Death in Bridgwater & Somerset
When someone close to you dies, registering their death is one of the important practical steps that needs to be completed. It can feel daunting when you're already dealing with a great deal, but you don't need to work everything out on your own.
At Bridgwater Funerals, we regularly guide families across Bridgwater and the surrounding Somerset communities through what needs to happen following a death. While the death will usually need to be registered by a relative or another eligible person, we're here to explain the process and help you understand what comes next.
If the death happened in Somerset, it can be registered at any Somerset registration office, including the Bridgwater Registration Office at Bridgwater House, King Square. Registration is by appointment.
How Do You Register a Death?
Before you can register a death in Somerset, the necessary documentation must first be sent to Somerset Registration Service by the Medical Examiner or Coroner.
For deaths that are not being investigated by the coroner, a doctor completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The Medical Examiner then independently reviews the cause of death and their office will normally contact the next of kin. Once this process is complete, the MCCD is sent electronically to Somerset Registration Service.
You can then arrange a face-to-face appointment to register the death.
If you're unsure where you are in this process, Bridgwater Funerals is always happy to talk things through with you and explain what usually happens next.
Step-by-Step: How to Register a Death
Step 1: Wait for the Medical Examiner Process
Following a death that does not require a coroner's investigation, a doctor will propose the cause of death and complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
A Medical Examiner, who is independent of the person's care, will scrutinise the cause of death. Their office may contact you to explain the cause of death and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
Once this process has been completed, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent electronically to Somerset Registration Service. You do not normally need to collect the certificate yourself.
Step 2: Book an Appointment to Register the Death
Once Somerset Registration Service has received the necessary paperwork, you can arrange an appointment.
Somerset Council currently asks you to submit your contact details so that it can email you a link to arrange a face-to-face registration appointment once the paperwork has been received.
All Somerset registration offices operate by appointment, so you should not simply arrive at the office without one.
If the death happened in Somerset, you can choose any Somerset registration office. This can be helpful for families living in Bridgwater, North Petherton, Cannington, Puriton, Pawlett, Huntspill, Woolavington and surrounding communities, as you can choose the Somerset office that is most convenient for you.
Step 3: Attend Your Registration Appointment
Death registration appointments in Somerset are face-to-face and are normally allocated around 45 minutes.
You'll have a private appointment with the registrar, who will ask you for information about the person who has died.
There is no charge for registering the death itself.
If you're worried about what you'll be asked, preparing some of the information beforehand can make the appointment a little easier.
Step 4: Receive the Information You Need for the Next Steps
Once the death has been registered, the registrar will arrange the documentation needed for the burial or cremation.
This includes what is commonly called the green form. In Somerset, this is now sent electronically to the authority responsible for the burial or cremation and, with your consent, to your funeral director.
If you've chosen Bridgwater Funerals, this means you don't normally need to worry about bringing the green form to us yourself.
You'll also be given a unique reference number for the Tell Us Once service, which can help you notify government departments about the death.
Available 24 Hours a Day
If someone has died and you need assistance, Bridgwater Funeral Services is available by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide guidance and support.
Where Can I Register a Death in Bridgwater?
For families in Bridgwater and nearby Somerset communities, the local office is:
Bridgwater Registration Office
Bridgwater House
King Square
Bridgwater
TA6 3AR
The office is currently open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays, and operates by appointment.
If the death occurred in Somerset, you do not have to use the Bridgwater office. You can register the death at any Somerset registration office, which includes offices in locations such as Taunton and Burnham-on-Sea.
This can be useful if another office is more convenient for you or your family.
For all registration offices in Somerset pleas visit the Somerset Council website.
Who Can Register a Death?
A relative or partner of the person who has died will usually register the death.
- A relative or partner of the person who died
- A personal representative of the person who died
- Someone who was present at the death
- A senior member of staff at the hospital or care home where the death occurred
- The person arranging the burial or cremation
If you're uncertain whether you are able to register the death, Somerset Registration Service can advise you before you arrange your appointment.
What Information Do You Need to Register a Death?
The registrar will need information about the person who has died.
It is helpful to have the following information available:
- Their full name and surname.
- Maiden name, where applicable.
- Date and place of death.
- Date and place of birth.
- Their usual home address.
- Their occupation.
- Their marital status.
- Whether they received a pension or benefits from public funds.
- The name and last occupation of their spouse, where applicable.
- The surviving spouse's date of birth if they were still married.
The registrar will also record the full name and address of the person registering the death.
Don't worry if you're unsure about something. The registrar can explain what information is required during the process.
What Happens After You Register the Death?
Once the death has been registered, you can begin dealing with some of the other practical arrangements.
These may include:
- Continuing with the funeral arrangements.
- Using Tell Us Once.
- Informing banks and financial organisations.
- Contacting pension or insurance providers.
- Dealing with the person's estate.
You don't need to tackle everything at once.
If you've chosen Bridgwater Funerals, we'll continue guiding you through the funeral arrangements and explain what we need from you at each stage.
How Bridgwater Funeral Services Can Help
Registering a death is something a relative or another eligible person will usually need to do, but you don't have to work through the wider process alone.
At Bridgwater Funerals, we're here to guide families across Bridgwater and Somerset from the first phone call.
If you're unsure about the Medical Examiner process, registration, when funeral arrangements can begin or what you need to do next, just ask us. We'll explain things clearly and help you take each step at your own pace.
Once the necessary authority for burial or cremation has been issued, we'll continue taking care of the funeral arrangements and supporting you and your family throughout.
Supporting Families in Bridgwater
Our team is here to help local families in Bridgwater and Somerset through every stage of arranging a funeral, providing clear guidance and a personal service throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register a death at Bridgwater Registration Office if the person died in Taunton?
Yes. If the death occurred in Somerset, you can register it at any Somerset registration office once the necessary paperwork has been received by Somerset Registration Service. This means that if your loved one died at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, for example, you can choose to register the death at Bridgwater Registration Office if that is more convenient for you.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Death?
There is no charge to register a death in Somerset.
You can purchase certified copies of the death certificate, which currently cost £12.50 each.
You may need copies for organisations such as banks, building societies, pension providers and insurance companies.
It can therefore be useful to think about which organisations will need to be contacted when deciding how many copies to order.
Can I register a death online or over the phone?
Death registrations in Somerset are currently completed face-to-face by appointment. Somerset Registration Service asks you to provide your contact details and, once the necessary paperwork has been received, you will be sent information about arranging your appointment.
For families in Bridgwater and the surrounding area, an appointment can be made at Bridgwater Registration Office in Bridgwater House, King Square, or another Somerset registration office.
What documents do I need to take when registering a death?
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is normally sent electronically to Somerset Registration Service following the Medical Examiner process, so you do not usually need to collect or take this yourself.
It is helpful to have the information you will need about the person who has died, including their full name, date and place of birth, usual address, occupation and marital status. The registrar will tell you if anything additional is required when your appointment is arranged.
What Is Tell Us Once?
Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to report a death to a number of government departments without having to contact each one separately.
When you register the death, you'll be given a unique reference number that allows you to use the service.
It can be used to notify organisations including HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions and the DVLA, where relevant.
What happens if someone dies abroad?
If someone dies abroad, the process for registering the death will depend on the country where they died. You will usually need to register the death with the local authorities in that country and obtain the appropriate documentation before your loved one can be brought back to the UK.
If you would like your loved one returned to Bridgwater or Somerset, Bridgwater Funerals can help with the repatriation process, including working with the relevant authorities and arranging for your loved one to be brought into our care.
The requirements can vary considerably between countries, so we'll help you understand what needs to happen and guide you through the arrangements.
For more detailed guidance, read our guide to Death Outside the UK.
