What Happens After a Death

A guide to the death certificate process and bereavement support in Kingston

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. We understand that there is a great deal to manage following the loss of a loved one, and we hope that the information in this leaflet will help guide you through the process.

This leaflet explains the steps involved in obtaining a death certificate and where to find support in the Kingston area. Please do not hesitate to contact the practice if you need any guidance. We would like to reassure you that the death certificate will be processed as promptly as possible, following the steps outlined below.

Step 1: The doctor certifies the cause of death

Following the death of a loved one, a doctor who was involved in their care (known as the Attending Practitioner) will complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), This may be the person’s GP, a hospital doctor or a hospice doctor, depending on the care they received.

Since September 2024, national rules have changed. This means that a doctor does not need to have seen the person within the 28 days before their death to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), if they were involved in their care at some point during their lifetime.

Step 2: The medical examiner reviews the certificate

Before the medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) can be issued, all death that are not referred to the Coroner must be reviewed independently by a Medical Examiner. This additional review is a legal requirement that was introduced across England and Wales in September 2024.

Who is a medical examiner?

Medical Examiners are senior NHS doctors who have received specialist training to provide an independently review of the cause of death recorded on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). They work separately from the doctors who cared for the person during their illness.

What does the medical examiner do?

Reviews the person’s medical records and the cause of death proposed by the Attending Practitioner.
Contacts the family, next of kin or appropriate representative to explain the cause of death, answer any questions, and discuss any concerns that they may have about the care their loved one received.
Once the Medical Examiner has completed their review and is satisfied that the cause of death has been recorded correctly, the MCCD can be sent to the Register Office.
If the review identifies matters that require further consideration, the Medical Examiner may refer the death to the Coroner, who will decide whether any additional investigation is needed. for further investigation.

You may receive a telephone call from the Medical Examiner's office during this stage. This is a routine part of the process and gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the cause of death and raise any concerns you may have.

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust (Kingston Hospital): KT2 7QB

The Medical Examiner’s Office covers death occurring at Kingston and Richmond NHS foundation Trust (Kingston Hospital) as well as community deaths within the London Boroughs of Kingston and Richmond.

In most cases, it is not necessary to contact the Medical Examiners office directly. However, if your GP has confirmed a referral, you may wish to contact them via the Kingston Hospital Switch Board and ask to be connected to the medical Examiners Office. Telephone Number: 0208 546 7711

Step 3: Referral to the coroner (if applicable)

In some circumstances, a death may need to be referred to His Majesty’s Coroner rather than being reviewed by a Medical Examiner. This may be necessary if:

The cause of death is not clear.
The death was sudden, unexpected, or the result of an accident or Injury.
The death occurred during or shortly after a surgical procedure.
There are circumstances that require further investigation before the death can be certified.

If the Coroner becomes involved, their office will contact you directly and explain the next steps. In some cases, a post-mortem examination may be required to help establish the cause of death. The Coroner's office will also advise you about the process and likely timescales for registering the death.

Kingston Coroner's Office
Address: 25 Bagley Lane,
Fulham
London
SW6 2QA

Telephone: 020 8753 6800
Email: RichmondandKingstonCoroners@lbhf.gov.uk

Step 4: Registering the death

Once the Medical Examiner has completed their review and the MCCD has been sent to the Register Office, the Register Office will contact you to arrange an appointment to formally register the death.

Important points

The death must be registered within 5 days of the Register Office receiving the necessary paperwork. This timescale begins when the paperwork is received, not from the date of death.
The death must be registered with the Register Office covering the area where the death occurred.
You do not need to contact the Register Office to arrange an appointment. Once they have received the relevant documents, they will contact you directly. If you have not heard from them within a reasonable time frame, you can contact them by telephone or email.
Appointments are by pre- booking only and are held at the Kingston Bereavement Hub, located at Kingston Cemetery and Crematorium on Bonner Hill Road.

Who can register the death?

The death can usually be registered by one of the following people:

A spouse, civil partner or close relative of the person who has dies.
Someone who was present at the time of death.
The person making the funeral arrangements (for example, the executor of the will)

What to bring to your appointment:

Any documents belonging to the person who has died such as their NHS number, passport or birth certificate. These can be helpful bit not essential
Details of their full name, date and place of birth, usual address, and occupation.
If they were married or in a civil partnership, details of their spouse or civil partner and if, available, the date and place of the marriage and civil partnership.

Registering a death is free of charge, at your appointment, you will have the opportunity to purchase certified copes of the death certificate. These currently cost £12.50 per copy in England and Wales.

You may need several copies for organisations such as banks, pension providers, insurance companies, and solicitors. Additional copies can usually be ordered when arranging your registration appointment or at the time of registration.

Tell us once service

After the death has been registered, you will be given a unique reference number to access the Tell Us Once service. This free government service allows you to notify multiple government departments and local council services of the death at the same time, reducing the need to contact each organisation separately.

This may include organisations such as the DVLA, HM Passport Office, the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP), and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Kingston Register Office - Bereavement Office

Address: Kingston Cemetery and Crematorium, Bonner Hill Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 3EZ
Telephone: 020 8547 5717
Email: bereavement@kingston.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm (appointment only)

Bereavement support in Kingston

Grief affects everyone differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel after the death of a loved one. Support is available for adults, children, young people and families. Please do reach out whenever you feel ready.