Death registration and certificates

In England and Wales, the final death certificate is issued by a Registrar at the local Register Office.   Each Registrar has their own Register which holds 300 entries.  On the day of registration, certificates costs £3.50 each.   For certificates obtained later,  the price of the certificate increases.    Visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/bereavement_radio.dsb?pr=BDT  to see who is eligible to register a death.

7/7 inquests at the Royal Courts of Justice

309 witnesses have given evidence at the 7/7 inquests. Coroner Lady Justice Hallett is expected to deliver verdicts before April 20, when the Court rises for Easter. It's almost five months since the inquests started.

Search and rescue in Japan

UK fire service search and rescue specialists from Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Greater Manchester, West Sussex, Kent, West Midlands, Mid West Wales, Hertfordshire and Cheshire are helping the rescue effort in Japan.  Visit   http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8378968/UK-search-and-rescue-team-heads-to-Japan.html to see a video of the team.

Metropolitan Police team in New Zealand

A Metropolitan Police disaster victim identification team travelled to New Zealand to assist local teams following the earthquake.  For more information, click on the link  http://content.met.police.uk/News/Met-officers-arrive-in-New-Zealand/1260268585525/1257246741786

Queen's Award for Coroners Courts Support Service

The CCSS received the Queen's Award for Charity,  which recognises outstanding achievement  by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in their community.    In  the 110 Coroner's jurisdictions  in England and Wales, CCSS is represented in Essex, North,  South and East London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Surrey, and Berkshire with requests to open in Kent and Cambridgeshire in 2011.  Volunteers help families at the inquest, guiding them through the process and assisting witnesses.  For more information click on the link http://www.coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk/