Advice and Support

Registering a death

One of the first things that needs to be done when someone dies is to register the death. The hospital or GP will give the next of kin an envelope containing a certificate to take to the register office, together with information and advice about the questions the registrar will ask.

If the death has been referred to the Coroner they will be able to advise you on what you need to do.

The Ipswich Register office is managed by Suffolk County Council and it operates an appointment system. Telephone 01473 292777 or email ipswich.registrars@suffolk.gov.uk.

Planning a funeral

In some cases the deceased may have made plans for their own funeral in advance, otherwise it is arranged by a relative or close friend.

Ipswich Borough Council offers support and advice on making funeral arrangements. You can get in touch with our caring and understanding team who are able to offer help, guidance and advice during a difficult and sensitive time.

Alternatively, you can employ a funeral director – these can be found in Yellow Pages.

Managing the cost of a funeral

A funeral can be very expensive and it is important to think about the finances carefully. Sometimes the deceased will have taken out a pre-paid funeral plan to cover the costs of their own funeral or, when this is not the case, the costs will normally be met from any money that the deceased has left or by family or friends.

In some cases, if the person organising the funeral receives a means-tested social security benefit such as income support, they may be able to claim a Funeral Payment to cover the cost of a simple funeral.

Bereavement advice

When you lose someone close to you it can be a very stressful and upsetting time. Ipswich Borough Council is dedicated to providing a sensitive and caring service.

There are many decisions to be made, points to consider and people that need to be contacted in the event of a death. We can offer help and advice around the choices and services that are available to you in Ipswich for burial, cremation or memorialisation.

Tributes

Find out about floral tributes for burial services or cremation services. can be left on the grave place or memorial.

Public Health funerals

Records and Freedom of Information requests

Information about public health funerals carried out by this authority is no longer provided in the form of a Public Register, due to estate fraud and government advice. Data can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act, however we reserve the right to withhold information where we:

• consider that the information sought is exempt from disclosure under section 31(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the basis that disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice the prevention of crime by enabling or encouraging the commission of offences; or
• consider that the information sought is accessible elsewhere (section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act) or is intended for future publication by the Treasury Solicitor’s Department (of the Freedom of Information Act section 22)

Each request will be considered on its own merits.

Family research

Our staff are able to search records and locate family graves, providing that the full name of the deceased and the approximate year of death is known.

You are permitted to search the indices of burials and cremations yourself, free of charge, during office hours by appointment. A fee will be charged for providing more personal information concerning the deceased.

Requests can be made by post or email. Sometimes there may be a delay in supplying this information.

The Suffolk Record Office may also be able to help in providing useful information.

Other helpful websites

Bereavement Advice Centre

GOV.UK – what to do after someone dies

Cruse Bereavement Care

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