When a person dies, the practicalities of organising a funeral are not always people’s main concern. Our instinct is often to spend time with and comfort our family, friends and loved ones, and writing out funeral checklists is not always your first priority.
Whether by phone call or a visit in person, our staff at Harold Wood Funeral Services are available any time you need us. We can discuss everything you need to know about organising a funeral in an unobtrusive manner, helping to ease your burdens at this difficult time. As a family-run business of more than seven decades, we’re committed to providing warm and friendly service for you and your loved ones, giving you the time and space you need to grieve
CURRENTLY ALL DEATH REGISTRATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY TELEPHONE WHERE REGISTRARS WILL CONTACT NEXT OF KIN AS RECORDED IN GP OR HOSPITAL FILES WITHIN A FEW DAYS, IF NOT SUBJECT TO POST MORTEM (IN WHICH CASE A CORONER WILL UPDATE FAMILY). DEATH CERTIFICATION IS POSTED.
When thinking about how to organise a funeral, one of the first responsibilities is to register the death. While you do not need to have registered a death prior to contacting us about organising a funeral, all deaths in England and Wales must be registered within five days. This grace period is designed to give you some peace of mind and time to think before moving forward with any official arrangements.
Normally the death registration must take place in the local authority area where the person died, or the process will take some days longer. To find out the location of the local Register Office, you can visit this government website. An appointment is always needed which can usually be booked on-line, or by telephone if it is an emergency or you do not have access to the internet.
It will usually take about 45 minutes to register a death
If the person died in a house or hospital, the death can be registered by the following people:
When registering a death, you’ll need to take the following documentation:
When registering a death, you will need to provide the following information:
If a post-mortem is not being held, the registrar will give you:
Yes, possibly. Registering a death and contacting us to organise a funeral will differ slightly depending on where the person died and the circumstances under which they died:
We are a family-led funeral directors in Essex since 1958.
Please contact us at any of our four funeral homes, Harold Hill, Hainault, Harold Wood, Collier Row, for any queries, support or advice regarding the funeral planning process.
Click below for contact information on register offices near you.
Tel: 01277 233565/221155, 0845 603 7632
Burghstead Lodge 143 High Street Billericay,
CM12 9AB Tuesday: 9am – 5pm. Visit their website »
0845 603 7632 Tel: 01245 430700
17 Market Road Chelmsford Essex, CM1 1GF.
Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm Saturday: 9.30am–11.15am. Visit their website »
Tel: 01277 233565 or 01277 221155
Basildon Centre St Martins Square Basildon SS14 1DL.
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm 0845 603 7632. Visit their website »
Tel: 020 7364 7880
Bromley Public Hall, Bow Road, London E3 3AA
No need to make appointments – closed for lunch.
For London Chest and Royal London Hospitals call directly.
Contact: 0845 603 7632
The Water Gardens, College Square,
Harlow, Essex, CM20 1AG.
Open details: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Visit their website »
Tel: 020 7600 4977
St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Pathology Block Room 36 – 37
London EC1A 7BE
Direct line: 020 8270 4744
Appointments not currently necessary
but telephone to check opening times for
Arden House, 198 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex IG11 8SY
Whipps Cross Hospital direct line: 020 8496 2716;
or London Borough of Waltham Forest direct line : 020 8496 3000
106 Grove Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9BY.
Appointments also online at www.walthamforest.gov.uk
Direct line: 01992 572788; or Essex County Council: 0845 603 7632 Saint John’s Road, Epping, Essex CM16 5DN. Visit their website »
Queens Hospital deaths – Registrar usually available on site with appointment
Non-hospital deaths – Please follow this link to book an appointment with the Registrar on site at South Essex Crematorium, Ockendon Road, Corbets Tey RM14 2UY. Visit their website »
Directly for urgent registrations: 01708 433481;
or London Borough of Havering: 01708 434343