At the City of Wolverhampton Council, we understand how overwhelming it can be when someone you know dies. We thought it would be helpful to collect some advice, and links to services that might be helpful if you find yourself in this situation.

Here you will find a useful, easy to read step-by-step guide on what to do when someone dies from GOV.UK.

A death should be registered as soon as possible after it takes place. It’s usually the next of kin or the person arranging the funeral who registers. A registration can’t take place until the local Register Office has received the medical paperwork from the local Medical Examiner or Coroner, who normally contact the next of kin to let them know when they can go ahead and book to register. There’s a legal requirement to register within five days of the medical paperwork being received by the Register Office, unless the Coroner is involved.

If the death took place in Wolverhampton, you can book a registration appointment via this link: 

Book a registration appointment

or by calling us on 01902 551234.

If the death took place anywhere else in England or Wales, you can find the local Register Office here. 

You can give the details of a death at a Register Office in a different district to the one in which the death took place, if it’s more convenient. This is called a “declaration”. If you wish to do this you should contact the Register Office in the district in which the death took place, so they can assist with the arrangements. This can involve a slight delay with the issue of certificates and funeral paperwork.

Once a registration has been completed, the registrar will give you a unique reference number for the Tell Us Once service. This is a simple way to let a lot of Government-related organisations know that the death has taken place.

This includes:

  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and any other Government pensions or benefits
  • His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • the Passport Office
  • the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency
  • electoral roll
  • Council Tax

Find out more about the Tell Us Once service.

Bereavement help and support

Bereavement is a personal experience and can affect people in different ways.

You can find information about understanding and managing grief from the organisations listed here:

Bereavement help and support

What to do if a child or baby dies

Here is a helpful step by step guide, including advice on benefits payments.

Applying for a baby loss certificate:

You can ask for a certificate if all the following apply:

  • you’ve lost a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy (or 28 weeks before 1 October 1992)
  • you’re one of the baby’s parents or surrogate
  • you’re at least 16 years old
  • you live in England

Request a baby loss certificate
 

Arranging the funeral

There is a helpful step by step guide here.

Money Helper has a useful guide about funeral costs.

Getting help with funeral costs

You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging.

Applying for probate

You may be able to use money from the deceased person’s estate (savings, for example). Getting access to this is called applying for a ‘grant of representation’ (sometimes called ‘applying for probate’).

Applying for probate

Benefits and financial support

More information about help with costs and funeral expenses after someone has died, this includes Universal Credit.

Wolverhampton’s Bereavement Services Office

Our Bereavement Services can help you contact the following local organisations, if relevant:

  • Wolverhampton Homes
  • Any hospital the deceased person was attending
  • The education services if the deceased person is of school age

The Bereavement Office also manages the City of Wolverhampton’s cemeteries and crematoria:

Contact Bereavement Services

Practical help

Below is a general list of things to think about doing, including documents and items that need to be returned, and organisations that might need to be informed, after someone dies. It includes the most common items but is not a complete list that will cover everyone’s unique set of circumstances.

Things to send back

  • Passport to the Passport Office
  • Driving Licence to the DVLA
  • Car registration documents
  • Blue badge
  • Travel passes
  • Library books and card
  • NHS equipment

People to tell

  • any company or private pension provider (if the West Midlands Pension Fund are the provider then this can be dealt with via Bereavement Services)
  • the landlord if the person who has died was living in rented accommodation
  • the family doctor to cancel any home nursing
  • any employer or trade union
  • the deceased person's bank or building society
  • the teacher, employer or college of a child or young person, if a parent, brother, sister, grandparent or close friend has died
  • car insurance company (if you are insured to drive the car under the deceased person's name, you will cease to be legally insured)
  • the deceased person's water, gas, electricity and broadband suppliers
  • the Post Office so that they can redirect the deceased person's mail to the person who will be responsible for the estate
  • it may be appropriate to contact a minister of religion or representative of your faith community
  • any home/contents insurance company (to ensure cover continues where necessary)

Have you found this page helpful? How could it be made better?

We hope this collection of information, links, and advice is useful and would love to know what you think. Is there anything that could be improved, or added? If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email register.office@wolverhampton.gov.uk 
 

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