Do I need to name a funeral director when registering a death?

Why do I need to register a death 

When a loved one passes away, one of the first formal steps is to register the death. According to the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, it is usually the responsibility of a close relative to do so. 

You can register the death if: 

• You are a relative of the person who has died 

• You were present when they passed away 

• You are the person making the funeral arrangements with the funeral director 

Sadly, this means that friends are usually not allowed to register a death unless they were present at the time of passing or are the ones taking charge of arrangements. 

If no relatives are available, the duty may fall to: 

• A person present at the death (such as a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or care worker) 

• The occupier of the house where the death occurred 

• A person finding the body 

• Executors, or solicitors handling the will 

• The person responsible for arranging the burial or cremation 

For more guidance, you can read our previous blog: How to register a death. 

How to name a funeral director for the registrar 

When it comes to naming your funeral director for the registrar, the process is simple. You’ll need to provide the name of the funeral directors and an email address where the registrar can send the necessary documents. 

If the death has been referred to the coroner, you do not need to provide funeral director details at that stage. 

You will be given several forms by the registrar, one of which is the death certificate. You can find out more about what each of these forms does in our previous blog: Death registration certificate – what does it mean?. 

Your funeral director won’t need a copy of the death certificate to arrange the funeral, but they do require the death to be registered. Once registration has taken place, the registrar will email certain paperwork over to your chosen funeral director, allowing arrangements to get underway. 

There’s no reason why you can’t reach out to your chosen funeral director before registering a death. As well as arranging to take your loved one into their care, they can support and advise you through these difficult initial stages. 

Steps to tell the registrar about your funeral director: 

1. Contact your funeral director first: Let them know you’re registering the death. They may have specific details or forms to provide. 

1. Provide their details at the appointment: Give the registrar the full name of the funeral home and their email address. 

1. Confirm email delivery: The registrar will usually email the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the “Green Form”) directly to the funeral director. 

1. Check they’ve received it: Once registration is complete, let your funeral director know so they can confirm receipt of the necessary documents. 

What will happen if I name a funeral director 

Once the death has been registered, the registrar will issue a Certificate for Burial or Cremation, often called the “green form.” 

This document: 

• Authorises a burial or cremation to go ahead 

• Is issued free of charge by the registrar 

• Can be emailed directly to your chosen funeral director so they can begin making the funeral arrangements 

If the coroner is involved, a different form will be issued to replace the green form. Your funeral director will liaise directly with the coroner’s office to ensure everything is in order. 

What happens if I don’t name a funeral director 

If you don’t name your funeral director when registering the death, the registrar can still complete the registration, but it may lead to delays or confusion. They may be unable to send the required certificates directly to the funeral director when they are ready. 

If the death was not from natural causes, once the deceased is in the care of the coroner (who use their own contracted coroner removal team), the coroner’s officers would need to know which funeral director to issue the paperwork too.  

Potential consequences: 

• Delay in funeral arrangements: The funeral director cannot proceed without the green form or coroner’s form. 

• Confusion during the process: If the registrar or coroner doesn’t know who your funeral director is, this can cause extra stress and delay. 

How to avoid issues when naming a funeral director 

To prevent delays and ensure a smooth process, it’s best to choose your funeral director before attending the registrar’s appointment. 

How to avoid issues: 

• Choose a funeral director early: Decide who will handle the arrangements as soon as possible. 

• Provide complete information: Give the registrar your chosen funeral director’s name and email address. 

• Contact them before registering: This helps them prepare and ensures they can support you right away. 

• Provide accurate details: Any incorrect or missing information may cause confusion later. 

If you don’t have a funeral director yet: 

• Contact the coroner: If the death is being investigated, the coroner’s office will ask for a named funeral director. 

• Ask the police or hospital for advice: They can help you find a local funeral director in West Kent or South East London. 

If you would prefer to plan ahead and make these decisions in advance, a pre-paid funeral plan can help you record your wishes and relieve your loved ones of additional stress at an emotional time. 

Being prepared and naming your funeral director early can make the process of registering a death smoother, quicker and far less stressful for your family. 

If you’re looking for support planning a funeral, please contact us