There are 3 things you must do in the first few days after someone dies:

• Get the medical cause of death certificate from the GP or hospital doctor. You’ll need this to register the death.
• Register the death within 8 days in Scotland. You’ll then get the documents you need for the funeral.
• Arrange the funeral – you can contact Funeral Care Scotland before the registration has taken place and we will guide you through the most current procedures using up to date guidelines 

The government has set up a tool which will be able to help you through the process: "Register a death"

Ask for a Tell Us Once appointment with the Registrar. This reports a death to most government organisations in one go, saving you valuable time.

Who is responsible for registering a death?
If the death occurred inside a house or public building such as a hospital, the following people may register the death:

• A relative
• Someone who was present at the death
• The occupier of the house or an official from the public building where the death occurs, e.g. the hospital
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director

If the death took place elsewhere, the following list of people may register the death.

• A relative
• Someone who was present at the death
• The person who found the body
• The person who is in charge of the body

*A Funeral Director is not allowed to register the death.

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