What to Do in the Event of a Death:

If Someone Dies at Home:

First, call the family doctor and nearest relative immediately. If the death was expected, the doctor will provide a medical certificate showing the cause of death. Additionally, they will give you a formal notice indicating they have signed the medical certificate and explaining how to register the death.

If Someone Dies in Hospital:

In this case, the hospital usually issues a medical certificate and formal notice. The body is typically kept in the hospital mortuary until the funeral directors or relatives arrange a chapel of rest or for the body to be taken home.

Unexpected Death:

If someone dies unexpectedly, or the family doctor hasn’t seen them in the last 14 days, the death may be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. The Procurator Fiscal investigates unexpected deaths and may call for a post-mortem. Consequently, this may delay the funeral.

Death Abroad:

If someone dies abroad, you must register the death according to the regulations of that country and obtain a consulate death certificate. Additionally, register the death with the British Consul in the country to ensure a record is kept in the UK.

Registering a Death:

New arrangements for the certification and registration of deaths in Scotland were introduced on 13 May 2015. This includes an independent review service run by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. You can find information on all aspects of the Death Certification Review Service on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website.

If you wish to apply for an advanced registration, please inform the registrar when you attend to register the death. While an application form is attached, it is not essential to complete it before attending the registration office.

Who Can Register a Death in Scotland?

The death can be registered by:

• Any relative of the deceased
• Any person present when the person died
• The deceased’s executor or other legal representative
• The occupier of the property where the person died, or if there is no such person
• Anyone else who knows the information to be registered

How and Where to Register a Death:

Any death occurring in Scotland must be registered within eight days of the date of death by the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. The law allows a death to be registered in any registration district in Scotland. You can obtain the address from the following list:

The opening hours of registration offices varies between local authorities and some operate an appointments system. You should therefore check with the relevant local authority before attending an office. You will wish to note that a burial can take place before the registration but that a cremation can only take place after the death has been registered.