The people who can register a death fall into two slightly different categories depending on whether the death occurred in a house or hospital etc, or elsewhere:

Deaths in a house or hospital etc. -

• a relative of the deceased
• someone present at the death
• the occupier of the house or hospital if he or she knew of the death
• another person living at the house if he or she knew of the death
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

Deaths elsewhere -

• a relative of the deceased
• someone present at the death
• someone who found the body
• a person in charge of the body
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

The majority of deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. The registrar would normally allow one of the other listed persons to register the death only if there were no relatives available.