Registering a Death in the Isle of Man

When someone dies there are many decisions and arrangements to be made. Unfortunately these often have to be made at a time of personal distress. This leaflet gives you help and guidance about what to do from the moment of a person's death. For example, you will have to get a Medical Certificate showing the cause of death, get the death registered, arrange the funeral and decide what to do about the property and possessions. This leaflet also tells you about help you can get from some organisations who can give you support and comfort.

This leaflet gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.

What to do First

If the death occurs in hospital

the staff will contact the person named by the deceased as next of kin. This may be, but need not be, a relative. You may, if you wish, request to see the hospital chaplain. The hospital will keep the body in the hospital mortuary until the executor arranges for it to be taken away. Most funeral directors have a Chapel of Rest in which the deceased will be held pending the funeral. Hospital staff will arrange for the nearest relative to collect the deceased's possessions.

If the death occurs elsewhere:

If the death was expected, contact the doctor who attended the deceased during their final illness. If the doctor can certify the cause of death he or she will give you the following:

a Medical Certificate that shows the cause of death (this is free of charge and will be in a sealed envelope addressed to the registrar)

a Formal Notice that states that the doctor has signed the Medical Certificate and tells you how to get the death registered.

You may wish to contact the deceased's minister of religion if you have not already done so. Arrangements may be made by a funeral director.

If the death followed illness from HIV or AIDS there may be special rules about handling the body. The following organisations can advise on funeral arrangements

London Lighthouse

FACTS Health Centre

Terrence Higgins Trust

Unexpected Death

If you discover a body or the death is sudden or unexpected, you should contact the following people:

• the family doctor (if known)
• the deceased's nearest relative
• the deceased's minister of religion
• the police, who will help find the people listed above if necessary

If there is any reason to suspect that the death was not due to natural causes, do not touch or remove anything in the room. The death may be referred to the coroner.

If the cause of death is quite clear the doctor will give you a Medical Certificate and a Formal Notice that the Medical Certificate has been signed.

Post Mortem

If the death was known to be caused by a natural illness but the doctors wish to know more about the cause of death they may ask the relatives for permission to carry out a post-mortem examination. This is a medical examination of the body which can find out more about the cause of death and should not delay the funeral.

Reporting a Death to the Coroner

In any of the following circumstances the doctor may report the death to the coroner

• an accident or injury
• an industrial disease
• during a surgical operation
• before recovery from an anaesthetic
• if the cause of death is unknown
• the death was sudden and unexplained, for instance, a sudden infant death (cot death).

The coroner may be the only person who can certify the cause of death. The doctor will write on the Formal Notice that the death has been referred to the coroner.

If the doctor treating the deceased had not seen him or her within 28 days before death, the death must be reported to the coroner.

If the Organs or Body are to be Donated

You will have to act quickly if it was the wish of the deceased or the nearest relative to donate the organs for transplant, or the whole body for medical teaching purposes.

The usual procedure is to approach the next of kin to make sure they do not object to organ donation.

If the death has to be reported to the coroner, the coroner's consent may be necessary before the organs or body can be donated. A medical certificate must be issued before any organs can be removed from donors:

If the whole body is to be donated telephone HM Inspector of Anatomy (0171 972 4342)

The Coroner

The coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating deaths in the following situations:

• the deceased was not attended by a doctor during the last illness or the doctor treating the deceased had not seem him or her within 28 days before death.
• The death was violent or unnatural or occurred under suspicious circumstances
• the cause of death is not known or is uncertain
• the death occurred while the patient was undergoing an operation or did not recover from the anaesthetic
• the death was caused by an industrial disease
• the death occurred in prison or in police custody

If you want advice or information about a death which has been reported to the coroner, contact the coroner's office. (01624) 685469.

Coroners Post-Mortem

The coroner may arrange for a post-mortem examination of the body. The consent of the relatives is not needed, but they are entitled to be represented at the examination by a doctor. When the relatives have told the coroner they wish to be represented, the coroner will, if at all practicable, tell them when and where the examination will be.

If the death occurs in hospital, the coroner will arrange for the examination to be carried out by a pathologist other than one employed at or connected with that hospital, if a relative asks the coroner to do so and if it does not cause an undue delay.

The removal of a body from the place of death to the mortuary for post-mortem examination will be paid for by the coroner. The relatives may choose the funeral director.

If the post-mortem shows that the death was due to natural causes the coroner may issue a notification which gives the cause of death so that the death can be registered. The coroner usually sends the form direct to the registrar but may give it to you to deliver.

If the body is to be cremated the coroner will give you the Certificate for Cremation which allows cremation to take place.

Inquest

An inquest is an enquiry into the medical cause and circumstances of a death. It is held in public, sometimes with a jury. It is up to the coroner how to organise the enquiry in a way to best serve the public interest and the interests of the relatives.

The coroner will hold an inquest if the death was:

• violent or unnatural
• or caused by an industrial disease
• or the death occurred in prison
• or if the cause of death remains uncertain after post-mortem examination

Coroners hold inquests in these circumstances even if the body occurred off the Island (and the body is returned to the Isle of Man)

If a body is lost (usually at sea) a coroner can hold an inquest if death is likely to have occurred in or near a coroner's jurisdiction.

If an inquest is held, the coroner must inform the following people:

• the married partner of the deceased
• the nearest relative (if different)
• and the personal representative (if different from above).
• Relatives can attend an inquest and ask questions of witnesses but they may only ask questions about the medical cause and circumstances of the death.

It is important to have a lawyer to represent you if the death was caused by a road accident, or an accident at work, or other circumstances which could lead to a claim for compensation. You cannot get legal aid for this.

If the enquires take some time, ask the coroner to give you a letter confirming the death. You can use this letter for social security and National Insurance purposes.

The coroner may give you an Order for Burial or a Certificate for Cremation so that the funeral can take place. This may be done before the inquest is completed, provided the body is not required for further examination.

The coroner will also send a Certificate after Inquest form stating the cause of death to the registrar. This allows the death to be registered.

More information

For more information on the inquest system and responsibilities of the coroner get the Home Office leaflet The work of the coroner from a coroner's office or direct from the Home Office, Coroners Section, Room 972, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW11 9AT (tel: 0171 273 2888/3574)

Moving the Body out of the Isle of Man

Only the coroner can give permission for a body to be moved out of the Island. This permission has to be obtained at least four days before the body is to be moved (although the coroner may be able to give permission sooner) so that any necessary enquiries may be carried out. Afterwards you will be given a Removal Notice, part of which is sent to the registrar after the funeral. This procedure applies in all cases where the body is to be moved out of the Isle of Man, not just where a death was reported to the coroner.

Who may Register the Death?

One of the following persons has a legal obligation to register the death

• A relative of the deceased who lives in the district or who was in the district at the time of the death.

• A person present at the death

• A person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director)

• In certain circumstances other, such as a relative not resident in the Isle of Man or present at the death, or the administrator of an Elderly Persons Home (Residential or Nursing) can register a death

If you are unsure whether you can register the death please telephone the Registrar for advise.

What will I need to Bring with me?

You will need to bring the medical certificate of Cause of Death issued by a doctor who has been in attendance upon the deceased. If the death has been reported to the Coroner, the Coroner's Officer will advise you what to do (01624 685469)

It is useful to have the birth certificate or passport of the deceased with you to verify information given.

What will I need to know about the person who has died?

The Registrar will see you in private, whenever possible, to ask for details about the deceased. You will need to provide the following information.

• Full legal name and surname. Please inform the Registrar of any changes of name by marriage, deed poll or declaration.
• Maiden surname, if applicable
• If the person who has died was a married woman or widow, the full legal names and occupation of her husband.

Please inform the registrar if the deceased was divorced.

*Date and place of birth. Bring birth records with you if possible.

• Occupation and usual address of the deceased. If the deceased was retired the registrar will need to know the deceased's main occupation or last employment.

It is important that you check the details in the register very careful before signing. It is a legal record which is very difficult to correct at a later date.

Documents you will be given

1. Form D8A - issued solely for National Insurance purposes, eg: dealing with pensions, claiming funeral payment.
2. Claim form for Funeral Payment with explanation leaflet. This is also available at Isle of Man Social Security Offices.
3. Certificate of Registry of Death. Parts B & C (Grey form) Do not separate these. This should be handed to the Funeral Director. Arrangements for the burial or cremation cannot take place without this certificate.
4. Certified copies of the entry in the Register of Deaths can be obtained from the Registrar for a fee. These will be required by Banks, Insurance Companies, Building Societies, Post Office, Probate Office etc.
5. A verifying letter explaining how copies are produced in some offices. This may be required if sending copies to UK Post Office for Premium Bonds, National Savings or Income Bonds.

Banks on the Isle of Man will often photocopy the certified copy for their files and return the certified copy to you.

DisabledGo Information

Terms & Conditions

©2008 Isle of Man Government