Registering A Death

Very few people are familiar with the process of registering a death. We are here to guide you.

We hope this content on how to register a death will help. You are also very welcome to call us on 01723 859 279.

Can a funeral director register a death?

No, unfortunately legally we can’t.

Who can register a death & when should it be done?

There are only certain people allowed by law to register a death. These include:

  • A relative.
  • Someone who was present at the death.
  • Someone who lived in the house where the person died.
  • Someone who is responsible for arranging the funeral (not the funeral director).
  • A responsible person from the hospital or nursing/residential home where the person died.


You must register the death within five calendar days of the date of death.

For immediate help or advice please call us on 01723 859 279 at any time. When you call us, you’ll speak to one of our experienced team. We’re here to help you through every stage of the process. If you have any questions, please just ask.

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the first step when registering a death

You need the Death Certificate issued from the deceased’s usual doctor. You then need to make an appointment with the registrar. For North Yorkshire County Council, you can do this online at Registering a death or call 01609 780 780. During evenings and weekends please call 01609 798 832.

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Where do I go to register a death?

Forms have to be completed in person as signatures are necessary to make sure everything is legal.

We suggest you ask for a minimum of six copies of the original death certificate to help you with estate matters later. It is cheaper to buy these at your appointment rather than arranging afterwards.

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Can I register the death at any register office?

Yes. You can go to any register office. However if you use the one in the area where the person died you’ll be given the documents you need on the day. Otherwise you may have to wait a few days. It is best to make an appointment first.

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Where to register if the person died in N.yorkshire

For Scarborough, Whitby, Malton, Selby, Skipton, Northallerton, Harrogate and Richmond please contact North Yorkshire County Council.

You can call them on 01609 780 780 or book an appointment online using their Death Registration Appointment Planner. Please note that the cities of Leeds and York are not included as being within the county of North Yorkshire.

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What if a death occurred outside N.Yorkshire

You can go to a North Yorkshire register office to give details for the register entry. They will then post this information to the register office in the area where the death occurred. This means there will be a short delay before you receive your certificates and other paperwork.

Outside North Yorkshire includes the cities of York and Leeds.

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Can I just travel to the other register office?

Yes, you can of course travel to the register office in the area or county where the person died. If you decide to do this, you will need to contact the register office there for an appointment.

On your return we’ll need to know the location and fax number of the Register Office that you’ve used. This is so we can arrange the correct paperwork.

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What do i need to take?

  • Medical certificate showing the cause of death
  • Credit or debit card to pay the fees


  If available, it is also helpful to take the deceased’s:

  • Birth certificate
  • Council Tax bill
  • Driving licence
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • NHS Medical card
  • Passport
  • Proof of address, such as an utility bill

What you’ll need to tell the registrar

  • The person’s full name at the time of death and any previous names, such as maiden name.
  • The person’s date and place of birth.
  • Their last address.
  • Their occupation and whether they were retired.
  • The full name and address of any surviving or late spouse or civil partner.
  • Their NHS number if possible.
  • Whether they were receiving a State Pension or other benefits.


  You should also take documents that show your own name and address.

Details for Register offices outside of North Yorkshire


For York, including York District Hospital:

City of York Register Office in Bootham on 01904 654477


For Hull, including Hull Infirmary:

Hull City Council Offices on Alfred Gelder Street on 01482 300300


For Bridlington, Cottingham, Hornsea, Withernsea, Driffield, Beverley, Goole, Hedon and Pocklington:

East Riding of Yorkshire register offices – numbers are listed on this page.


What paperwork will F. A. Stockill and Son need?

We will need the “Green” Certificate for Burial or Cremation, filled in by the Registrar. This is known as the Green certificate because of the colour of the paper it’s printed on. Without this document a church or crematorium cannot go ahead with the funeral.




Call us any time

We are on hand at any time to give help and advice. Please call us with any questions on 01723 859 279.
You can also email us at 
office@stockillandsonfunerals.co.uk




Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question? We’re here to help.


  • Do you dress the deceased?

    Yes we can dress the deceased for you, you need only hand over the belongings to us. Otherwise they are carefully shrouded in a silken gown.

  • Can we view the deceased?

    Yes. We just need appropriate notice to ensure absolute privacy for you.

  • Will the deceased need to be embalmed?

    Embalming is not usually necessary given the advancement in storage facility technology. However, we can arrange for embalming if requested.

  • Do you have coffin bearers?

    Yes, we have trained coffin bearers. We pride ourselves in being able to offer pallbearers who carry the coffins on their shoulders rather than using a trolley. Family members may carry, but here at F A Stockill we will always ensure there are enough bearers on hand on the day, just in case. Please note we never allow family to lower coffins on a burial.

  • How many coffin bearers will be needed?

    This depends on the size and weight of the coffin. Usually there are between four and six bearers.

  • Do funeral directors re-use coffins?

    No, most definitely not. The coffin is cremated or buried with the deceased.

  • Can I touch the coffin as I leave the ceremony?

    Yes, absolutely.

  • As a member of the congregation, can we take away the Order of Service or should we leave it there?

    Please take it with you. An Order of Service can provide a lovely memento of your family member or friend for quiet contemplation later.

  • Do crematoriums cremate more than one person at a time?

    No. The only exception is if the next of kin have requested it for a mother and baby or small twin children.

  • What happens when the curtains shut at the crematorium?

    Nothing happens until the congregation have left the building. The coffin is removed from behind the curtain after the service has taken place.

  • When do we collect the ashes?

    They are usually available two to three days after the service. In case of urgent matters such as limited time or travel they may be available on the same day.


    We will never hassle you to collect the ashes from us. Some families wish different things and maybe wish to wait until the other parent has passed to scatter both. We have stored some ashes for over 25 years. However, we do encourage family to arrange a resting place for them as soon as they feel able so as not to cause further upset later.


    You may find our cremations section helpful.

  • Do funeral directors expect a tip?

    We’ve included this as it’s a frequently asked question on the internet. The answer is no. Although Claire has never met a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates she didn’t like!

  • I have a question that isn’t answered. Can I ask you anonymously?

    Absolutely – we welcome any feedback or questions. Just fill in this online form and we will post the answer on this page.

Plan ahead with golden charter pre-paid funeral plans

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At F. A. Stockill & Son we work in partnership with Golden Charter to provide you with a simple way to plan ahead. As one of the UK’s largest funeral plan providers1, Golden Charter has helped over 900,000 people to plan ahead2, so we’re completely confident in offering their plans to you.

Everyone has different needs when it comes to funeral planning, so we make sure the plans we offer are as flexible as possible. When you get in touch, we’ll be happy to discuss your funeral requirements and tailor a plan to suit you. Rest assured a plan from Golden Charter is available to all UK residents regardless of age or state of health.

F. A. Stockill and Son Funeral Directors trading as F. A. Stockill and Son Funeral Directors is an appointed representative of Golden Charter Limited trading as Golden Charter Funeral Plans which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:965279).

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