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Leeds Register Office Bereavement Guide

www.leeds.gov.uk

Leeds Register Office

Contents

2

First Steps

Registering the death

The Coroner

Registering a child’s death or a stillbirth

The Funeral

How will you pay for a funeral?

Documents you’ll need before you can arrange a funeral

The Estate

What to do if there is no will

Who else should be contacted?

Bereavement

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4 - 5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 - 14

15 - 16

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What you must do when someone dies

You will need to let a number of people and organisations know about the death and there are certain documents you will need to complete by law. If you are a relative or friend you can do some of these things yourself.

• tell the family doctor

• contact a funeral director, if you intend to use one

• begin arrangements for the funeral. Check the will for any special requests

• get a medical certificate of cause of death signed by a doctor, or if the Coroner has been involved, speak to the Coroner’s officers about registering the death

• register the death at the Register Office. You’ll find details of how to do this in the section on registering the death

• if relevant, complete form BD8 (given to you when you register the death) and send it to Jobcentre Plus BDC, Leodis Way, Leeds, LS88 8AB or ring 0845 6060265

• contact the executor as soon as you can so that they can start the process of obtaining probate if necessary. The executor is usually named in the will

• if there is no will, decide who will apply to sort out the deceased’s affairs and contact the Probate Registry. There are more details in the section about the estate.

When someone close to us dies it can be a very stressful and confusing time

First Steps

Leeds Register Office 4

How and where can you register a death, and what information you will need to provide

You need to register a death within five days although this can be extended in exceptional circumstances or if the Coroner is involved. If the death took place in Leeds you will be able to register at Leeds Town Hall or at a number of One Stop Centres across the city.

Alternatively you can visit any other office outside of Leeds although, as the Registrar will need to send the details to the Leeds office, this may delay issuing the documents that you will need for the funeral.

If you need further advice please contact:

Leeds Register Office on 0113 2224408 orEmail: [email protected]

Leeds Register OfficeLeeds Town HallThe HeadrowLeedsLS1 3AD

Please ring us to make an appointment to register a death. Our appointments line is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

You can only register a death once you have the Medical Cause of Death Certificate from the doctor or hospital. For deaths which have been reported to the Coroner, you need confirmation from the Coroner’s office that they have issued the relevant paperwork. See the section on the Coroner.

Letting Other People Know about the Death

When you visit the Registrar you will also be able to speak with a member of Customer services staff who will pass on details of the death for you to other organisations, for example the Department for Works and Pensions and other council departments.

Registering the death

www.leeds.gov.uk

Who can register a death?

The primary responsibility for registering a death rests with the nearest relative of the deceased. If no relative is available to register, please contact us for advice.

The Registrar will ask you for the following information:

About the person who has died

• Date and place of death

• Full name and any other names they are known by or have been known by, including the maiden surname of a married lady

• Date and place of birth

• Last occupation (if the deceased was married, widowed or in a formal civil partnership, the full name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner)

• Usual address including postcode

• Date of birth of the surviving spouse or civil partner

• Details of any public sector pension, e.g. civil service, teacher or armed forces.

About the person registering the death

• Their relationship to the person who has died, for example widow, son, daughter, widower, niece, nephew, surviving civil partner

• Their full name

• Their usual address.

What documents will you need when registering a death?

When you go to register the death you must take with you:

• the medical certificate of the cause of death, signed by a doctor unless the Coroner is issuing the paperwork.

If would also be helpful (although not essential) if you can take the deceased’s:

• birth certificate

• marriage or civil partnership certificate

• NHS Medical Card.

The Registrar will give you

After the Registrar has registered the death they will issue:

• A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8) which you will need to send to the Benefits Agency

• Copies of the death certificate

• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (called the ‘green form’) giving permission to bury or cremate the body (unless the Coroner has already issued a certificate). If the deceased is to be buried or cremated outside England and Wales the Coroner will issue the necessary forms.

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Registering the death (cont.)


What happens if the death is referred to a Coroner?

In some cases – where the cause of death is unclear, sudden or suspicious – the doctor, hospital or Registrar will report the death to the Coroner. The Coroner may decide to hold a post mortem which may slightly delay the registration. Once he has completed his enquiries the Coroner will issue his certificate direct to the Register Office. You can then go ahead and register the death.

The Coroner Court Symons House, Belgrave Street, Leeds LS2 8DD

Occasionally the Coroner may need to hold an inquest.

Inquests

The Coroner needs to hold an Inquest to investigate any death which:

• appears to be due to violence or an accident

• is unnatural

• is of a sudden and of unknown cause

• occurs in legal custody.

The Coroner

www.leeds.gov.uk

The Register Office has special arrangements in place to deal with the above. Please ring 0113 2476687.

Who can register a stillbirth?

The primary responsibility for registering a stillbirth rests with the parents. If the parents of the child were married to each other, either the mother or the father may register.

If the parents were not married to each other, the mother has the main responsibility. If the parents wish to include father’s details in the register, he should attend the registration along with the mother.

Can I record a name for my child following a stillbirth?

Yes you can record a name in the register if you wish.

Registering a child’s death or a stillbirth

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The Funeral

How do you arrange the funeral?

A funeral can be either by burial or by cremation.

You can organise it with or without the help of a funeral director and personalise it as much as you wish. In some cases the deceased may have planned their own funeral in advance.

For advice on making your own arrangements please contact the Cemeteries and Crematoria offices on 0113 2673188.

Using a funeral director

The majority of people choose to use a professional funeral director. This can help at what is generally a stressful time. Your funeral director can provide information on burial and cremation and can advise you about some of the important decisions you will need to make:

• where the body should rest before the funeral

• the time and place for the funeral

• the type of service (religious or otherwise) and who will conduct it

• how much to spend on the funeral

• whether to have flowers or to donate money to a chosen charity

• where to donate flowers after the funeral

• sending out invitations

• placing notices in the newspapers.

Your funeral director should also help you decide on some of the options for the funeral service, for example readings and music and other contributions by family members or friends.

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How will you pay for the funeral?

Funeral Costs

If you arrange a funeral you’re responsible for paying the bill, so first check that there is enough money available.

Funeral costs may vary considerably from one funeral director to another so it is advisable to get more than one quote to compare costs and services.

It may be possible to pay the funeral costs from:

• the estate of the deceased

• a funeral scheme or prepaid funeral plan

• a life insurance policy or pension scheme.

In some cases the deceased’s bank or building society may agree to release funds to pay for funeral costs. The executor may also need to pay and then recover the money from the estate later.

You may also have to pay for other services, for example doctors’ certificates, a minister, newspaper announcements and flowers for the crematorium.

Financial Help

If you are finding it difficult to pay for a funeral that you have to arrange, you may be able to get a social fund funeral payment from the Benefits Agency if you or your partner receive one of the following:

• income support

• housing benefit

• council tax benefit

• job seeker’s allowance (income based)

• disabled person’s tax credit

• working family’s tax credit.

Contact your local social security office for more information or an SF200 application form or ring 0845 6000 345.

If no one is able or willing to arrange and pay for the funeral, the council or in some cases, the health authority, may be able to help, but only where the funeral has not already been arranged.

You may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance, a taxable weekly benefit paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner.

To claim Bereavement Allowance all of the following must apply:

• you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner aged 45 or over when your husband, wife or civil partner died

• You are not bringing up children

• You are under state pension age (currently 60 for women and 65 for men)

• Your late husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance Contributions (NICs) or they died as a result of an industrial accident or disease.


You will need to give the funeral director, crematorium or cemetery office the following forms:

For Burial

• green Certificate for Burial (form 9) from the Register Office – or Order for Burial (form 101) if the Coroner was involved.

For Cremation

• green Certificate for Cremation (form 9), from the Register Office, or Order for Cremation (form E) if the Coroner was involved

• application for Cremation (form A) signed by the next of kin or executor, from the funeral director or crematorium

• medical forms B and C (completed by the doctors who dealt with the deceased).

Your funeral director will be able to help you.

Documents you’ll need before you can arrange a funeral

www.leeds.gov.uk

How do you sort out the estate of the deceased?

When a person dies somebody has to sort out his or her estate. Their estate includes their money, property and the possessions they’ve left. If you are the person doing this you will need to collect in all the money, pay any debts and share out the estate to those people entitled to it.

You can pay a solicitor to sort out the estate for you. If you don’t already have a solicitor ask friends if they can recommend one and when you do contact them, ask about their charges.

How do you apply for probate?

To sort out someone’s estate, you may need to apply for probate. The Probate Office will give you a grant of probate if the person left a will, or will grant letters of administration if there isn’t a will. Your local Probate Registry will send you the forms you need with notes and guidance on what you have to do. You can contact them on 0113 3863540 or at www.theprobateservice.gov.uk

Leeds District Probate Registry, Coronet House, 3rd Floor, Queen Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 2BA.

What does a grant of probate or letter of administration allow you to do?

A grant of probate or letters of administration are legal documents allowing the person(s) named in it to collect and distribute the estate of the deceased. You can show it to organisations that hold these assets, such as banks or building societies.

Is a grant of probate needed in all cases?

Not always. Probate isn’t usually needed to release assets held jointly with another person, for example where:

• a home is held in joint names and is passing by survivorship to the other joint owner, or

• a joint bank or building society account is held. In these cases production of a death certificate may be enough for the monies to be transferred to the joint holder.

Certain institutions may release monies without a grant being produced if the amount held by the deceased was small. You will need to apply to the institutions to see if they will release monies without a grant.

Staff at probate registries will offer procedural guidance on how to obtain a grant but cannot provide legal advice.

You will receive the leaflet PA2 “How to obtain Probate” when you apply.

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The Estate


What do you do if there’s no will?

If someone dies without making a will, they are said to have died ‘intestate’. If this happens the law sets out who should deal with the deceased’s affairs and who should inherit their “estate”. Assets held in joint names usually pass automatically to the other joint owner.

Dealing with the estate when there is no will can be complicated and can also take a long time in very complex cases.

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Who else should be contacted?

13

Letting Organisations Know

When you are dealing with the affairs of someone who has died, you will need to deal with a number of organisations. People have different circumstances and the organisations to be contacted will vary.

How can you get help to cancel council services?

Following the registration the council’s customer services staff will be able to help you notify other parts of the council and some government agencies. This will save you having to contact them all individually. You can arrange to see them at the same time that you register the death and therefore complete all these arrangements during the same visit.

If you choose not to speak to a customer services officer you may need to notify:

Pensions/Social Security Benefits/ Tax Credits

• The Department of Work and Pensions to stop state pension payments.Tel: 0845 6060 265

• The deceased’s employer or occupational pension provider. They will let you know if the occupational pension can be passed to another family member or surviving civil partner

• The deceased’s personal pension provider, if they have one

• The deceased received benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit or Attendance Allowance tell the Jobcentre Plus or Social Security Office. Tel: 0845 6088 601

• HM Revenue and Customs if the deceased received tax credits (Working Tax or Child Tax Credits) Tel: 0845 300 3900.

Health Services

• Tell the deceased’s doctor and any other health service provider they may have used, such as a local hospital, dentist, chiropodist or private health care

• Return any equipment the deceased may have borrowed from a hospital, clinic or Social Services

• Cancel any services received from Social Services, such as meals on wheels, transport or home help.

Money

Financial organisations will probably ask to see a copy of the death certificate.

• The Inland Revenue as there may be an Income Tax refund due

• Banks or building societies

• Credit card companies

• Insurance companies

• Post Office savings, premium bonds or stocks and shares.


Household

• Ask the Post Office to redirect the deceased’s mail or speak to the Registrar about using the Bereavement Register to stop any unwanted junk mail or direct mailings

• The Registrar will let the Council Tax Department know about the death but you may wish to contact them direct about any refunds or reductions in Council Tax charges

• Depending on circumstances you may need to speak to a council housing department, housing association, mortgage company or private landlord

• Tell the gas, electricity, water and telephone line providers

• Cancel any fuel deliveries

• Inform the insurance company that provides the household insurance

• Notify any Hire Purchase companies

• Inform the Television licensing authority.

Transport & Travel

• If the deceased owned a vehicle there may no longer be insurance cover to drive it. Many policies state that a vehicle may be driven by someone else with the owner’s permission but as soon as the owner dies this permission may cease. It is best to contact the car insurance company before anyone drives the vehicle to make sure they are insured

• Return the deceased’s driving licence to the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

• Return the deceased’s car registration documents to DVLA to record any change of ownership

• Cancel or return any travel passes or season tickets and claim any refunds due

• Return the deceased’s passport to the Identity and Passport Service.

Personal Items

• Return any library books and cancel membership

• Send back any membership cards to clubs or associations and claim any refunds that may be due.

We aim to provide a sympathetic, helpful and considerate service

www.leeds.gov.uk

Age ConcernTel: 0113 245 8579www.ageconcernleeds.org.uk

The British Association of Cancer United Patients (MacMillan Cancer Support)Provides a cancer information service that gives information, practical advice and emotional support to patients, their families and friends and others bereaved by the illness. Tel: 0808 800 1234www.cancerbackup.org.uk/home

Child Death HelplineTel: 0800 282 986www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk

Citizens Advice BureauWestminster Buildings, 31 New York Street, Leeds LS2 7DTTel: 0844 477 4788 www.leedscab.org.uk

The Compassionate FriendsGives support to parents whose son or daughter has died.Tel: 0845 123 2304www.tcf.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement CareProvides a nationwide service of bereavement counselling, advice, information and social contact through its headquarters and more than 196 local branches, to anyone bereaved by death irrespective of age, race, religion, gender or sexual preference.Centenary House, North Street, Leeds LS2 8AYTel: 0113 234 4150 www.cruse.org.uk

The Foundation for the study of Infant Deaths (Cot Death Research and Support)For parents of a baby who has died suddenly and unexpectedly. Has leaflets and information for bereaved parents and health professionals.Tel: 020 7233 2090 (24 hrs) www.fsid.org.uk

Leeds Bereavement ForumA city-wide network of organisations and people offering bereavement support.Tel: 0113 225 3975 www.lbforum.org.uk

Leeds Crisis CentreFree and confidential counselling service for people having a crisis including bereavement.Tel: 0113 275 5898

BereavementHow can you get help and support with bereavement?

There are many organisations that can help and support you following bereavement.

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The Miscarriage AssociationOffers support and information on all aspects of pregnancy loss (miscarriage up to 24 weeks and ectopic pregnancy).Tel: 01924 200799www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

National Association of Victim SupportPO Box 11431, London SW9 6ZHTel: 0845 30 30 900www.victimsupport.org.uk

The National Association of WidowsOffers a friendly helping hand to all widows and their families.Tel: 0845 838 2261 www.nawidows.org.uk

Road PeaceThe UK’s national charity for road crash victims, provides support to those bereaved or injured in a road crash. Tel: 0845 450 0355 www.roadpeace.org

The SamaritansFor someone you can talk to who will give you support. There are over 180 branches that are open 24 hours a day.Tel: 08457 909 090 www.samaritans.org.uk

SSAFA Forces HelpThe national charity helping serving and ex service men, women and their families in need.Tel: 0800 731 4880 www.ssafa.org.uk

SOBS (Survivors of bereavement by suicide)Offers group meetings, telephone support and information to those recently bereaved by suicide.Tel: 0870 241 3337 www.uk-sobs.org.uk

The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS)Offers support to parents bereaved through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death.Tel: 020 7436 5881 www.uk-sands.org

The Terrence Higgins TrustA charity providing practical support, help, counselling and advice for anyone with or concerned about, AIDS or HIV infection.Tel: 0845 122 1200www.tht.org.uk

The War Widows Association of Great BritainGives advice, help and support to all war widows and dependants.Tel: 0870 241 1305 www.warwidowsassociation.org.uk

The WAY FoundationProviding support to young bereaved adults.Tel: 0870 0113450 www.wayfoundation.org.uk

The information included in these pages is for general guidance purposes only and is not a complete or exhaustive explanation of current Death Laws. This publication will be in use from 2011 to 2013 and the information included was current at the time of going to press.

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Henderson Employee Benefits (HEB) has specialists on hand who can help you at this difficult time. Often there are many complex financial issues to deal with such as:

Converting payments under life policies into a long term tax efficient income for the dependants

Investing capital for tax efficient growth

Reassessing the Inheritance Tax position and designing strategies to minimise future tax

If your loved one was a business owner - reassessing the arrangements for business succession and wealth preservation.

Henderson Employee Benefits LtdVictoria HouseRedvers CloseLawnswood Business ParkLeedsLS16 6QY

Tel 0113 222 3311 Fax 0113 222 3310

www.hendersonemployeebenefits.co.ukRegistered office: Trueman House, Capitol Park, Leeds LS27 0TS

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services AuthorityCompany Registration number - 889002

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the YORKSHIRE HERITAGEBUS Company Ltd

On today’s congested roads the task of keeping together a large party of mourners on the journey from the wake venue to the funeral home and then on to the burial ground or crematorium can be an unenviable task.

At such a sensitive time a black and ivory vintage bus from YOrkshire heritAge will solve this problem.

Whilst any funeral is a very sad time, it is also the celebration of a life having all the deceased’s family and friends together on a vintage bus allows everyone to share wonderful memories and stories as the classic old bus makes its way at its own pace, to your funeral destination.

the Yorkshire heritage Bus Company Ltd has a growing fleet of beautifully restored and maintained classic buses available to hire as funeral transport.

hiring one of our buses in our black and ivory livery is perhaps the most suitable of our vintage bus fleet.

the best thing to do is have your Funeral Director or hearse hire Company to contact us to check availability and discuss your specific requirements.

For large parties of mourners, solve the car parking problem and choose alternative transport from the Yorkshire heritage Bus Company Ltd, a vintage funeral bus.

For more information please contact Tony or Kirsty: 01422 886900 Mobile: 07552 126170

POstAL ADDress: Unit 10 Thrum Hall Industrial Park, Albert Road, Halifax, HX2 0DB

Email: [email protected] Website: www.yorkshireheritagebus.co.uk

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We hope that this guide has enabled you to make the best choices for your individual needs and has helped you through your time of bereavement.

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Leeds Town Hall

The Headrow

Leeds

LS1 3AD

Tel: 0113 2224408

Email [email protected]

www.leeds.gov.uk