Duties of Executors
Register the death
The Death needs to be registered normally within 5 days unless the Coroner is investigating the circumstances relating to the death. Obtain several copies of the death certificate as many organisations will need sight of an original Death Certificate before releasing funds. Copies obtained from the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages are regarded as 'originals'
Who should Register the Death.
People with legal responsibility to register include:
- A relative
- A person present at the death
- The occupier of the premises where the death occurred if he/she knew of it happening
- The person arranging the funeral, this does not include the funeral director. (See also the list on the Notice to Informants attached to the Doctor's medical certificate of cause of death).
Where should the Death be Registered
The death must be registered in the District Register Office for the area (town/city) in which it occurred.
Documents to take to The Register Office
Medical certificate identifying the cause of death. (issued by the doctor treating the person who has died). If the Coroner is involved, the Coroner's Office will advise you what to do. The deceased person's birth certificate or passport (if available) can be helpful. The deceased person's medical card (only if available).
Questions that the Registrar will ask
The Registrar will interview you in private and will need to know the following information:
- The date and place of death.
- The full name and surname, and maiden name if the person who has died was a married woman.
- The occupation and, if the deceased person was a married woman or widow, the full name of her husband.
- The usual address.
- If the person who died was married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse.
- Whether the person who has died was receiving a pension from public funds.
The Registrar will enter all these details in a computer and will then give you the opportunity to check that they are correct. The information will then be written into a register. This is the 'original' legal record and you should check it through very carefully before signing it, as any mistakes discovered later on may be difficult to correct.
Documents you will receive
A 'Green Form' which enables you to arrange the funeral (If the Coroner is involved different procedures may apply). A form for Social Security purposes. Certified copies of the entry ("death certificates") can also be obtained upon payment of the statutory fee.
Arrange the funeral
The cost will usually be the first expense paid for from the deceased estate. It is worthwhile ascertaining if a prepaid funeral plan exists.
Grant of Probate
Apply for a Grant of Probate via the nearest Probate Registry.
What to do next
- Arrange to open a Personal Representative's bank account for the receipt of money due to the Estate and any loan arranged to pay an Inheritance Tax bill and/or probate fees.
- Inform all relevant persons and organisations - banks, building societies, life assurance companies, employers, previous employers, Pension providers, local authorities, Inland Revenue, benefit agencies etc.
- Arrange for a valuation of the Estate to include the house and its contents, other personal effects, investments in savings plans, equities, life policies, building societies etc. and prepare a detailed schedule of all the Testator's assets.
- Prepare a full schedule of debts that must be paid from the proceeds of the Estate. These will include mortgages, income and capital gains taxes, bills, credit cards, loans and overdrafts.
- Complete the forms required by the Inland Revenue Capital Taxes Office so that it can be established whether any Inheritance Tax is due.
- Complete the probate forms and send or take them to the Probate Office along with the original Will, the death certificate and the Inland Revenue account.
