Losing someone is difficult enough without the added stress of navigating paperwork. Yet before a cremation can take place in the UK, specific legal and administrative documents must be in order. Understanding what documents are needed for cremation helps you avoid delays during an already challenging time.
At Go Direct Cremations, we handle much of this paperwork on your behalf as part of our direct cremation service. Still, knowing what’s required gives you clarity and control over the process. Some documents come from medical professionals, while others require input from the family or next of kin, and the requirements differ slightly depending on whether the death occurred in England, Wales, or Scotland.
This checklist breaks down every document you’ll need, who provides each one, and what to expect at each stage. Whether you’re planning ahead or arranging a cremation now, you’ll have a clear picture of the paperwork involved.
What paperwork you might need in the UK
The documents required for cremation fall into three main categories: medical certification, legal registration, and administrative forms. Each category serves a specific purpose in the legal chain that authorises cremation. You’ll find that some documents are mandatory for every cremation, while others only apply in specific circumstances such as coroner involvement or overseas deaths.
Medical certification documents
Your first priority is securing medical confirmation of the cause of death. A doctor who attended the deceased during their final illness must complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (often called the MCCD). This certificate states the cause of death and confirms no further investigation is required. You’ll receive either a green form (in England and Wales) or equivalent documentation in Scotland.
Cremations require additional medical forms beyond what burials need. Two independent doctors must complete Cremation Forms 4 and 5, which confirm the cause of death and verify that no circumstances prevent cremation. Form 4 comes from the doctor who issued the MCCD, while Form 5 comes from a separate medical practitioner who examines the deceased independently. These forms carry a statutory fee, though Go Direct Cremations includes these costs in our service.
Registrar and legal documents
Once you register the death, the registrar issues several essential certificates and authorisation forms. The death certificate serves as the primary legal record. For cremations in England and Wales, you’ll also receive the green certificate for burial or cremation (form BD8), which legally authorises disposal of the body. In Scotland, the process differs slightly with the registrar issuing a certificate of registration of death instead.
Registration must happen within five days of death in England and Wales, or within eight days in Scotland.
Administrative and family documents
You’ll need to complete the crematorium’s application form, which includes details about the deceased, your chosen service, and ashes instructions. Most crematoriums require proof of identity for the person applying, typically a passport or driving licence. If you’re arranging the cremation but aren’t the next of kin, you may need written consent from the nearest relative or a statutory declaration confirming your authority to act.
Step 1. Secure the medical paperwork
Your first action after a death is to obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the doctor who attended the deceased. This certificate must state the cause of death clearly and confirm that no suspicious circumstances exist. The doctor will typically provide this within a few days of the death, though you can’t register the death or proceed with cremation until you have it in hand.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
The MCCD is the foundation document for understanding what documents are needed for cremation. A registered medical practitioner who treated the deceased during their final illness completes this form, which includes the deceased’s personal details, date and place of death, and the certified cause of death. You’ll receive a green form in England and Wales, or white and yellow forms in Scotland.
Request this certificate as soon as possible after the death. The doctor must have seen the deceased within 14 days before death or examined the body after death to issue this certificate. If these conditions aren’t met, the coroner gets involved and the process changes.
Without the MCCD, you cannot register the death or arrange a cremation.
Cremation Forms 4 and 5
Cremation requires two additional medical confirmations beyond the MCCD. Form 4 comes from the same doctor who issued the death certificate and includes a detailed statement about the cause of death and circumstances. Form 5 requires an independent medical practitioner to examine the deceased and verify the information on Form 4.
Both doctors charge statutory fees for these forms, typically around £80 each. At Go Direct Cremations, we arrange both examinations and include these fees in our service price, removing this administrative burden from you during a difficult time.
Step 2. Register the death and get registrar forms
After securing the medical certificate, you must register the death with your local register office to receive the documents needed for cremation. This registration creates the legal record of death and produces several certificates you’ll need before the cremation can proceed. You typically have five days to register in England and Wales, or eight days in Scotland, though you can request extra time if circumstances require it.
Where and when to register
Contact the register office in the district where the death occurred to book an appointment. You can find your local office through the government website, though many areas now accept walk-in registrations during office hours. The person registering should be a close relative, someone present at the death, or the funeral director acting on behalf of the family.
Bring the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death along with identification and any relevant details about the deceased, including their full name, date and place of birth, last address, occupation, and marital status. The registrar will ask questions to complete the death register accurately.
Documents the registrar will issue
The registrar provides several forms once registration is complete:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate (BD8) | Official record of death; required for cremation |
| Green certificate for burial or cremation | Authorises disposal of the body |
| Certificate for Department for Work and Pensions | Used to close benefit and pension accounts |
You’ll receive one free copy of the death certificate, though you can purchase additional certified copies for around £12.50 each. These certificates are essential for closing bank accounts, claiming insurance, and handling the estate.
The green certificate is your legal authorisation to proceed with cremation arrangements.
Step 3. Complete cremation and ashes instructions
Once the death is registered, you need to complete the crematorium’s application form to book the cremation and provide specific instructions about what happens to the ashes. This paperwork forms part of what documents are needed for cremation and requires details about the deceased, the applicant, and your wishes for the ashes. Most crematoriums accept applications directly from families or through a funeral director like Go Direct Cremations, who can handle this paperwork on your behalf.
Cremation application form (Form 1)
The crematorium application, often called Form 1 or the Applicant’s Form, collects essential information needed to arrange the cremation. You’ll need to complete sections covering:
- Full name, age, and last address of the deceased
- Date, place, and registered cause of death
- Your relationship to the deceased and authority to apply
- Whether any medical implants or pacemakers need removal
- Confirmation that you’ve informed all interested parties
Sign the form in the presence of an executor, householder, or other qualifying person who can verify your identity. This witness requirement prevents unauthorised cremations and protects everyone involved.
Your signature legally confirms you have the right to arrange the cremation and that all information provided is accurate.
Ashes instruction form
Crematoriums require clear written instructions about what should happen to the ashes after cremation. You’ll typically choose between collection by the family, scattering in the crematorium’s garden of remembrance, or delivery by post. Specify an exact name and address if you want the ashes delivered or collected. Some crematoriums use a separate form for these instructions, while others include them on the main application.
Step 4. Handle coroner, inquest, and urgent cases
Not every death follows the straightforward path described above. When a death is sudden, unexplained, or occurs in specific circumstances, the coroner takes control of the case and what documents are needed for cremation changes significantly. The coroner must investigate before releasing the body for cremation, and you’ll need to wait for additional authorisation forms before proceeding with arrangements.
Coroner cases and Form 6
The coroner gets involved when the cause of death is unknown or suspicious, when no doctor attended the deceased in their final illness, or in cases of accidental, violent, or unnatural death. Industrial disease deaths, deaths during surgery, and deaths in custody all require coroner involvement. Once the coroner completes their investigation, they issue Form 6 (Certificate for Cremation) or in Scotland, Form E, which replaces the standard medical Forms 4 and 5.
Your role during a coroner case is to wait for their investigation to conclude. Contact the coroner’s office if you need updates on the timeline, as investigations vary in length depending on complexity. Go Direct Cremations maintains regular contact with coroners’ offices to keep you informed throughout the process.
The coroner’s authorisation supersedes all other medical forms and is the only cremation certificate required in these cases.
Deaths requiring inquest or investigation
Some coroner cases require a full inquest with witness testimony and medical evidence before the body can be released. Post-mortem examinations often occur first to establish cause of death. You cannot arrange cremation until the coroner concludes their investigation and issues the cremation certificate, though in some cases the coroner may release the body for cremation before the inquest concludes if the cause of death is established.
Final checks and what to do next
Before submitting your paperwork, double-check that every form is signed and dated correctly and that all personal details match across documents. Missing signatures or inconsistent names can delay the cremation by several days. Keep copies of everything you submit for your records, as you may need them for estate administration or benefit claims later.
Understanding what documents are needed for cremation helps you stay organised during a difficult time. Gather the medical certificate first, then register the death, and finally complete the crematorium application in that order. Each step depends on the previous one, so working systematically prevents confusion.
Most families find the process smoother when they work with a funeral director who handles the administrative burden. Go Direct Cremations manages all paperwork on your behalf, from securing medical forms to completing crematorium applications, so you can focus on remembering your loved one rather than navigating bureaucracy.