If the death occurs at home, (and once a doctor has given his permission), we will attend as soon as requested and remove the deceased to our premises by ambulance, perform hygienic treatment and if requested, the deceased will then remain in one of our Reposing Rooms until the funeral.

The deceased, after hygienic treatment, can be returned home if the family so desire. If the death occurs in a hospital, the deceased is automatically taken to the hospital mortuary, and must remain there until the family has registered the death and provided us with a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the "Green Form.")

If the death occurs in hospital, the certificate will usually be available for collection from the Bereavement Office. If the death occurs at home, the doctor will usually arrange for the death certificate to be left at his surgery for collection by a member of the family who should then take it to the Registrar whose certificate (Green Form) should then be handed to us.

The family should indicate to the Registrar the number of copies of the certificate they require. They might help at a later date for insurance and probate purposes. The certificates cost £3.50 per copy. Please remember that it is necessary to have an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.

On some occasions the Coroner may be involved and a slightly different procedure followed. We will advise if this is the case.

The death must be registered at the local office of Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the district where the death occurred, as soon as possible, usually within five days of the death (unless the Registrar extends the period). If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the procedure is slightly different. We will advise you concerning this.

The Registrar will give you a Certificate for Burial or Cremation unless the Coroner has given you an Order for Burial or a Certificate for Cremation. Whichever form you are given will be needed by the funeral director so that the funeral can be held.

A Certificate of Registration of Death is for Social Security purposes only.

Cardiff Register Office
                                           48 Park Place, Cardiff CF1 3LU
                                           Telephone: (029) 20 871684
                                           Mon-Fri 9.00-4.00
                                           (Please make an appointment.)

Penarth Register Office
                                           West House, Stanwell Road
                                           Penarth CF64 2YG
                                           Telephone: (029) 20 707862
                                           Mon-Fri 9.00-1.00, 2.00-4.00
                                           (Please make an appointment.)

If the death occurred within the Cardiff County Council boundary you must register the death in Cardiff. If the death occurred in the Vale, (this includes Llandough Hospital) the death must be registered in Penarth or Barry, even if the deceased was a Cardiff resident.

Barry Register Office
                                           The Civic Offices
                                           Holton Road
                                           Barry CF63 4RU
                                           Telephone: (01446) 709518/9
                                           Mon-Fri 9.00-1.00, 2.00-4.00
                                           (Please make an appointment.)

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