How to get a death certificate

The death of a loved one also brings the need to organise a funeral.

One of the key documents to secure in preparing for a funeral is the death certificate. A death certificate is a legal document that declares that a person is officially deceased. Here is how to get a death certificate:

1. Persons who can register for a death certificate:

A. The occupier of the house in which the person died.

B. Adult(s) causing the body of the deceased to be buried or cremated.

C. Any adult, including the nearest relative, who was present at death.

2. Deaths deemed to have occurred from natural causes are to be registered within five days, however, the registration of sudden or violent death is dependent on the completion of several government processes such as autopsies, so it has no time requirement.

3. If a person dies of natural causes at home, a visit to the last doctor who examined the deceased (at least three months before the death) should be done.

4. The physician will complete and sign the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death.

5. After a death occurs in the hospital, the attending physician completes and signs the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death.

6. The Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death should then be taken to the Local District Registrar (LDR), where the death will be registered.

7. In the case of sudden or violent deaths, an autopsy or post-mortem will be required and will be ordered by a police officer.

8. After the post-mortem has been completed the police officer will issue the Burial Order to the person responsible for burial.

9. The police will then deliver the post-mortem signed by the pathologist or medical doctor to the Coroner's Court.

10. The person responsible for burial may then request a Certificate of Coroner (Form D) from the Coroner's Court, which is to be taken to the LDR and used to register the death.

11. At the LDR, the person responsible for the burial may then complete the application form for the death certificate and pay a fee of $850.

12. The death certificate will be sent to the family member's address within six weeks.