Have to register death within 5 days, but can't.

[WishIWasSomewhereElse]

Dad died at home on Wednesday. His death was verified by hospice nurses who came out to do this, and told us to contact the surgery the next day to get the doctor's certificate to take to the registry office.

The GP surgery yesterday said that we were best off waiting for his regular GP to come in and do it, which was today.

I spoke to his wonderful GP today, and he scanned the cause of death certificate and scanned it to the registry office.

I filled in their online form and it said that a registrar would phone me to complete the rest and issue the certificate. The earliest appointment is next Thursday.

There were several warnings that a death has to be registered within 5 days, and nowhere did it mention that this was working days, even it were, we are outside of that.

I'm guessing that since I filled in the form online we will be OK?

I'm aware that this sounds ridiculous, but I think I may be trying to distract myself with other things and worrying over things, rather than have to face up to things.

It's fine, you've started the process and the GP is aware and there's a record. Hospice can verify this. The rule is there for good reasons but not to make it stressful for you in this situation, please don't worry.

Also, very sorry for your loss

Thank you. He's been at the funeral directors since Wednesday, the hospice nurses said we could leave him overnight, but it was so hot that we didn't think it was a good idea.

I'm sorry for your loss, OP. Similar happened when my grandmother died, I remember my mum being very worried about it - but it happens fairly often and it was absolutely fine.

Sorry for your loss 💐. I would imagine very few people actually manage to do it in 5 days , when my mum died in 2019 they didn’t even do the PM until 6 days later , IIRC my sisters registered the death on the 10th day .

So sorry for your loss. 'Death admin' is insult to injury, isn't it?

At the time of my mum's death, 7 years ago, the registration process has so fallen apart I think it took me a good 2 weeks to register her death, on site at the same hospital. Which was done kindly and sensitively.

Don't worry. As long as you can, should it ever be necessary 🙄, demonstrated that you have attempted to meet deadlines, no one will chase you.

So sorry for the sad loss of your dad, OP.

Don't worry about the five-day deadline. I work in Probate administration and I often don't register the death for a couple of weeks, because doctors are faffing about with paperwork. I have never had a registrar comment on a delay.