Deaths, burials and cremations

Deaths should normally be registered within 5 days, unless the coroner is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

A death should be registered in the district where it occurred.

If the death took place in Basildon Hospital, you should contact Essex County Council.

We will be as sympathetic and supportive as possible. We will answer all the questions you may have.

We, or a funeral director, will advise you what to do if the coroner has been informed of the death.

Arranging your appointment

If you need to register a death, you can arrange an appointment with us by phone or email below.

You will need to contact the GP's surgery to confirm that the 'Medical Certificate of Cause of Death' will be scanned and sent to the Thurrock Register Office email address below before your appointment. If the death has been referred to the coroner, you need to make sure their documents have been emailed to us before booking your appointment.

The following people, in order of preference, are legally required to register a death:

• a relative
• a person who was present at the death
• the occupier of the premises where the death occurred, if he or she was aware of the death
• the person arranging the funeral – this does not mean the funeral director

Attending your appointment

On the date and time of your appointment you will need to attend the office to provide information for completing the registration. A registrar will talk with you in private and ask questions about the person who has died.

You will need to know:

• the date and place of death
• the full name and surname, and if the deceased was a married woman, the surname/family name used before marriage
• the date and place of birth
• the occupation, and if the deceased was a married woman or widow, the full name and occupation of her husband
• the usual address

It would be helpful if you could also let us know:

• if the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
• whether the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds
• the NHS number of the deceased, which has 10 digits – for example, 485 777 3456 – and can be found on any letter from the NHS such as a prescription or appointment letter

We can also give you a document to enable you to make the funeral arrangements or, if you prefer, we can send it by email direct to the undertaker. If the death was referred to the coroner, there may be other procedures.

You will be given a form for Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) purposes. You may also wish to purchase a copy death certificate at this time.

You may need these for:

• probate or letters of administration
• banks and building society accounts
• insurance companies
• stocks and shares
• solicitors
• other purposes

If you need to purchase more copy certificates, you can still do so at any time in the future but they may cost more if the register has been completed.