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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: mulberry-rose on Wednesday 11 February 26 22:32 GMT (UK)

Title: What does this mean on death record? Northumberland
Post by: mulberry-rose on Wednesday 11 February 26 22:32 GMT (UK)
Recently purchased a death record of a woman named Eleanor Ann Rutherford on GRO and I came across this sentence in the informant section that I’ve not come across before. The informant was her brother William Rutherford.

I think it says “causing the body to be buried?” Does this just mean her brother was responsible for the burial?  ???

Thank you
Title: Re: What does this mean on death record? Northumberland
Post by: Neale1961 on Thursday 12 February 26 00:16 GMT (UK)
Quote from: mulberry-rose on Wednesday 11 February 26 22:32 GMT (UK)
I think it says “causing the body to be buried?” Does this just mean her brother was responsible for the burial?  ???

Yes.
Title: Re: What does this mean on death record? Northumberland
Post by: AntonyMMM on Thursday 12 February 26 10:41 GMT (UK)
It is one of the legal qualifications that allows a person to be the informant on a death registration. It is last on the list and used when they don't qualify through any other more closely connected criteria (relative, present at the death etc.). If the informant was her brother it shouldn't really have been used.

It could be a friend, neighbour or perhaps an executor - or can be a hospital/council employee for someone who has no-one else at all.

These days it is commonly used for a cohabiting partner.

Despite the wording it doesn't create any legal obligation on the informant to actually organise the funeral.
Title: Re: What does this mean on death record? Northumberland
Post by: mulberry-rose on Friday 13 February 26 19:39 GMT (UK)
Very interesting! Thank you both.