Registering a Death

To register a death, the undertaker brings the Medical Certificate and the Declaration of Death to the Alderney Court Office. Usually the attendant doctor provides the Medical Certificate. The Declaration of Death is filled in by a family member or the undertaker, giving details of the person who has died.

The required number of Death Certificates and the Burial Permit are issued by the Court office. These are usually collected by the undertaker, who also organises for the payment of fees for the Certificates. Additional permissions are required for cremations.

Where a sudden death has occurred, the death may be registered following a Post-mortem or an Inquest. If a Post-mortem is held the Pathologist provides the Medical Certificate rather than the attendant Doctor.

If the Law Officers of the Crown decide that an inquest is required due to the circumstances of the death, the inquest may be adjourned so that the funeral arrangements may go ahead without too much delay. The results of the inquest may not be available until sometime later and the death is registered after the inquest.

Names on the Death Certificate

The Alderney Death Certificate is issued in the Birth Name of the person who has died. In the case of a married woman this means that the Maiden Name will appear on the Certificate, followed by the words "widow of" or "wife of" her husband. The names of the deceased's parents are also required for the Death Certificate and similarly the mother's name appears as her maiden name.

For information about the Registration of Wills and Probate please see the Court section Will Registration