When someone has died, there are lots of things that need to be done at a time when you probably least feel like doing them.  One of these is contacting government departments and local council services that need to be told.

How the service can help you

When someone has died, their death needs to be registered with the Registrar.  Once that's done, several other organisations may have to be contacted and given the same information.

We can help you to give the information to the Department for Work and Pensions and they can pass on this information to a number of other government departments and local council services for you.

How you can contact us to use the service

In person

If you would like to use the service please call within these hours to make an appointment with the Registrar in whose district the death occurred.  The service will be offered by the Registrar immediately after registration.

Ashbourne Registration District

Matlock Register Office

Further information about the Registration Service is available on the Derbyshire County Council website.

By telephone

Many people find this the most convenient way to use the Tell Us Once service. Providing you have registered the death and the deceased's details have been added to the Tell Us Once database by the Registrar, you can telephone the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 085 7308 and provide details over the phone (lines are open Monday to Friday between 8 am - 8 pm and this number is free to call from a BT landline but other providers, including mobile phone providers, may charge).

Information you will need to use the service

To make sure the right information is given to any organisation we contact for you and so that you get the most out of the service it will help if you can bring along with you the following information about the person who has died:

• Their National Insurance number and date of birth
• Details of any benefits or services they were receiving
• Their death certificate
• Their driving licence or driving licence number
• Their passport or passport number and town/country of birth

We may also ask you for the contact details for:*

• Their next of kin
• A surviving husband, wife or civil partner
• The person dealing with their estate

* You must obtain the permission of the persons listed above if you are going to provide us with information about them.

What happens to the information?

If you decide to use this service we will be able to tell the following organisations:

• Department for Work and Pensions
• HM Revenue and Customs (for tax, credits and benefits)
• Identity and Passport Service
• housing and council tax offices

You can also request we pass the information to:

• Council housing
• Council tax
• Libraries
• Blue badges
• Adult services
• Children's services
• Collection of payment for council services
• Electoral services
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Funeral arrangements

As your local District Council, we operate a burial service at cemeteries in the Derbyshire Dales, but please in the first instance talk to your funeral director, who can then advise us of your wishes.

If you do need to make direct contact with us, email cemeteries@derbyshiredales.gov.uk or call 01629 761130.