Care provided after death:
Under UK law, details of all deaths and stillbirths must be officially recorded. Registrars collect and record this information making every effort to ensure that the environment in which the registration interview takes place promotes the privacy, dignity and comfort of grieving relatives. When registering a death the Registrar:
- Checks that the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (MCCD) is in order. If irregularities are identified the Registrar is required to consult the attending doctor or the office of the Coroner prior to registration.
- Receives a completed form GRO 73 from the informant (someone close to the deceased) which provides details of the deceased. The Registrar will also interview the informant to obtain details for the death registration.
- Issues a GRO 21 form which allows for the burial or cremation of the deceased and a Death Certificate when all processes are complete .
- Provides information to relatives e.g. bereavement payment and benefit entitlements and who they need to inform of the death
Works alongside:
- Relatives
- Medical Staff especially the Certifying Practitioner or Deceased’s GP
- Coroners service
- Funeral Directors
- The General Register Office
- Crematorium/Cemeteries Department
- Other District Registration Offices
- Nursing or Residential Homes
The Standard of Bereavement Care is enhanced when:
- The Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death is completed correctly as this ensures registration can be straight forward for relatives
- Relatives are given information regarding the details they will require when they attend to complete Registration.
Standards and Guidelines
