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Patients & Visitors

Care of the Dying

Registering the Death

On this page:

Contact Information
& Hours of Attendance
Registering by Declaration At the Registrar's Office
(includes what to take with you)

To register a death when a post mortem has to be carried out you will need a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This is completed by the hospital doctor and given to you by the Patient Affairs Manager when you visit the hospital. In some circumstances the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths may need to report the death to the coroner.

Contact Information & Hours of Attendance

All deaths occurring in the Royal United Hospital must be registered, normally within five days, by taking the Medical Certificate to The Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages.

Please contact the Registrar Office at Bath - Telephone: (01225) 477234
to arrange an appointment to register the death at one of the offices:

  • The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW
  • The Hollies, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DP
  • Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG
  • One Stop Shop, Keynsham Civic Centre, Market Walk, Keynsham, BS31 1FS

Registering by Declaration
If it is not possible for you to register the death in Bath, you may be able to register by declaration in your home town. The local Registrar will not be able to register the death or issue you with any certificates, but will take the necessary information and forward to the Register Office in Bath. The Bath Registrar will then register the death and issue the relevant certificates. These will be posted to you, which may therefore cause delays in organising the funeral.


For opening hours and information on how to book an appointment, please visit:

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At the Registrar's Office

The death is registered by taking the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, issued by the hospital, to the Registrar.

Registration of the death should be undertaken by a close relative. If this is not possible, then check with the Registrar that you are qualified to register the death.

When you go to the Registrar take with you:

  • The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
  • The deceased's N.H.S. Medical Card (if possible)
  • Birth and marriage or civil partnership certificates
  • Any War Pension information

The Registrar will want to know the following information:

  • Date and place of death
  • Full name (and maiden name, if applicable)
  • Usual address
  • Date and place of birth
  • Occupation (and the occupation of spouse or civil partner)
  • Pensions or allowances from public funds
  • If the deceased was married or had formed a civil partnership, the date of birth of the surviving widow, widower or civil partner

The Registrar will give you two certificates:

  1. Green Form (9)
    This is the undertaker's authority to proceed with the funeral arrangements
  2. White Form (BD8)
    You may need this form to claim or cease any benefit payment
  3. Death Certificate(s)
    For which a fee is payable

It is recommended that sufficient copies are obtained for Probate, insurance policies and savings accounts and investments.

It is recommended that sufficient copies are obtained for Probate, insurance policies and savings accounts and investments.

If there are any queries concerning registering the death please contact the Register Office on (01225) 477234.