We understand that losing a loved one is distressing and that it can be hard to deal with an unexpected administration process while you are grieving. To help you there are three things you need to do in the first few days after someone dies:

  1. You'll need to register the death. In order to do this we will need to see a medical certificate stating the cause of death from a GP or hospital doctor. But please don't go to a hospital, hospice or GP practice to collect this certificate. Your doctor will email it to Herefordshire Council's Registration Service
  2. The death should be registered within 5 days. You'll then get the documents you need for the funeral
  3. You'll need to arrange the funeral - you can use a funeral director or arrange it yourself

Our bereavement services are available to help you with registering a death and funeral and memorial options.

Most people choose a funeral director to organise the funeral. Your funeral director can make all the arrangements for the funeral - whether it's a burial or cremation, religious or secular service. The funeral director can also advise on all the procedures and documents needed to register the death.

All cremations in Herefordshire take place at Hereford Crematorium.

Herefordshire Council is responsible for four cemeteries for burials in the county:

For details of costs, please visit our cremations, burials and memorials fees and forms section.

If you are looking for information on church graveyards, you will need to contact the relevant church.