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Introduction
If a death occurs in Merton please telephone 020 8274 5777 for an appointment.
Death registrations from 9 September 2024
From Monday 9 September 2024, the way deaths are registered is changing. Please be aware of the following changes:
- All deaths occurring in England and Wales, without exception, will have to be scrutinised by either a Medical Examiner (ME) or a Coroner before the death can be registered.
- The Medical Examiner will provide independent scrutiny of the cause of death, review the medical records and work with doctors to complete the medical certificate of the cause of death (MCCD), as well as give the bereaved family an opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns they may have regarding the care of the deceased person prior to their death.
- Registrars will not be able to register a death until the medical certificate of the cause of death (MCCD) has been signed by both the Attending Practitioner and the Medical Examiner and emailed through to the register office.
- A new MCCD will replace the existing certificate to reflect the introduction of the Medical Examiners. The new MCCD will include some new information, including details of the medical examiner who scrutinised the cause of death, ethnicity of the patient (as declared on the medical record), details of any maternal deaths, additional medical conditions (bringing the MCCD in line with international standards) and information about medical devices and implants.
- The registrars will no longer be able to chase the GP surgeries or Coroners and families will need to liaise with the Medical Examiner’s Office directly.
- Referrals to the Coroner must now be done by the Attending Practitioner who issued the MCCD or the Medical Examiner. Once the Coroner has completed their investigations, the appropriate paperwork will be emailed to the register office.
- After registration electronic copy of Form 9 (also called as the "green form") will be sent to the funeral directors, to allow for the funeral to go ahead.
- All deaths that occurred on or before 8 September with an MCCD signed before this date will not be subject to the new regulations.
Register a death or stillbirth
A death should be registered within 5 days.
A stillbirth should be registered within 42 days.
Where did it happen?
- Sutton - contact Sutton Register Office
- Lambeth - contact Lambeth Register Office
- Merton - see below
Deaths in Merton
It would be helpful if you could bring the medical card relating to the person that has died and any birth certificate / marriage certificate and passport for that person.
It is not essential to bring these documents but it would be helpful to us to ensure that the correct details are registered.
Paperwork issued following registration
- Certificate for Burial or Cremation (also known as the Green Form)
This form is for you to take to the funeral director so that the funeral can take place. In some circumstances this form will be issued direct from the Coroner. There is no charge for the issue of this form. - Certificate of Registration of Death (also known as Form BD8/344)
This form is for social security purposes. Please refer to the notes shown on the back of this form. You will need to complete this form and return it to your local social security office. There is no charge for the issue of this form. - Standard Death Certificate
A death certificate is a certified copy of the entry in the death register. These will be required for banks, building societies, solicitors, insurance companies and other financial institutions. - Information leaflets
The registrar will also offer you some useful leaflets which may assist you at this time. The registration staff are there to help you - please ask them for any advice and guidance which you require.
Fees for death certificates
If the event occurred in Merton we can produce copies of certificates for the following fees:
| Service | Cost | Postage: Tracked | Postage: Special | Postage: European | Postage: Worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At registration | £12.50 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Standard 5 day | £12.50 | £3.50 | £8.00 | £10.00 | £11.00 |
| 24 hour | £38.50 | £3.50 | £8.00 | £10.00 | £11.00 |
| 1 hour | £48.50 | Collection only | - | - | - |
Stillbirths in Merton
To register a stillbirth at Merton Register Office please telephone 020 8274 5777 to book an appointment.
Tell Us Once service
When someone dies you need to report the death to many organisations and government departments. The ‘Tell Us Once’ service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.
After you have registered the death with the registrar, the registrar may complete the Tell Us Once service with you at the same time. Otherwise, the registrar will give you a unique Tell Us Once reference number, which will enable you to log in to the Tell Us Once service on GOV.UK.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm, except for the third Thursday of every month when the office closes at 12.30pm.
Contact us
Merton Register Office
Morden Park House
Morden Park
London Road
Morden
SM4 5QU
Email: register.office@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8274 5777