What to Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide

When someone dies, you need to act quickly on certain practical matters while also dealing with grief. This guide walks you through what to do in the first hours, days, and weeks after a death in the UK.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

1. Confirm the Death

Death at home: Call the person's GP or NHS 111 (if out of hours). A doctor must confirm the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

Death in hospital or care home: Staff will handle this. The hospital will issue the MCCD.

Unexpected death: Call 999 immediately. Police and a coroner may investigate. The coroner will issue the MCCD once cleared.

2. Contact Close Family and Friends

Make a list and start calling the closest people first. Ask family members to help spread the news to extended relatives so you're not making dozens of calls yourself.

3. Find Important Documents

Look for:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• NHS medical card
• Passport or driver's license
• Will and any funeral wishes
• Life insurance policies
• Bank account details
• Prepaid funeral plan (if exists)

Within 5 Days: Register the Death

Who Can Register a Death?

In England and Wales, the following people can register a death (in order of priority):

• A relative who was present at the death
• A relative who was present during the last illness
• A relative living in the district where the death occurred
• Anyone else present at the death
• The person arranging the funeral (but NOT the funeral director)

Where to Register

Register at the local register office where the death occurred (not where the person lived). You'll need to book an appointment - call or check online. Most register offices see people within 1-3 days.

What to Bring

• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (from doctor or hospital)
• Your own identification (passport or driver's license)
• Deceased's birth certificate
• Deceased's NHS medical card (if available)
• Marriage/civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of address (e.g., council tax bill)

What You'll Receive

The registrar will give you:

• Death certificate (BD8): Free copy for benefits and tax purposes
• Certificate for burial or cremation (green form): Give this to your funeral director

You can buy additional death certificates at the time for £12.50 each. Order at least 4-6 copies - you'll need them for banks, insurance companies, pension providers, and probate.

First Week: Arrange the Funeral

1. Choose a Funeral Director

Contact 3-4 funeral directors in your area to compare prices and services. Use The Funeral directory to find verified funeral directors near you.

Ask about:

• Total costs (get an itemized quote)
• What's included in the basic package
• Optional extras and their prices
• Payment terms (most require payment within 7-14 days after the service)
• Their accreditation (NAFD or SAIF members follow a code of conduct)

2. Decide on Burial or Cremation

Consider the deceased's wishes, religious beliefs, cost, and environmental impact:

• Cremation: £3,000-£4,500 on average
• Burial: £4,000-£5,500 on average
• Direct cremation: £1,000-£2,000 (no ceremony, ashes returned to family)

Read our guide on funeral costs for a detailed breakdown.

3. Choose the Funeral Date and Venue

Most funerals take place 2-4 weeks after death. Popular venues book up quickly, so act fast. Options include:

• Crematorium chapel
• Church or place of worship
• Graveside service at cemetery
• Woodland or green burial site

4. Plan the Service

Work with your funeral director and celebrant/clergy to organize:

• Who will lead the service (vicar, celebrant, or family member)
• Music and hymns (check the venue's audio system)
• Readings and poems
• Who will give the eulogy
• Order of service booklets (optional)
• Flowers or charitable donations

First Two Weeks: Tell Organizations

Notify the following as soon as possible:

Government and Benefits

• Tell Us Once service: One notification informs multiple government departments (DWP, HMRC, DVLA, Passport Office)
• Council Tax: Inform local council for bill adjustments
• Benefits agencies: Stop pension payments, notify of changes

Financial Organizations

• Banks and building societies: Freeze accounts and ask about releasing funds for funeral costs
• Credit card companies: Close accounts
• Mortgage or loan providers: Discuss life insurance cover
• Pension providers: Claim any death-in-service benefits or survivor's pension

Insurance and Services

• Life insurance companies
• Home and car insurance
• Utilities (gas, electricity, water)
• Phone, broadband, TV license
• Subscriptions (gym, streaming services, clubs)

Employer

Contact the deceased's current or former employer for:

• Final salary payment
• Holiday pay owed
• Company pension or death-in-service benefits

First Month: Legal and Financial Matters

1. Find the Will

Check:

• At home (safe, filing cabinet, desk)
• With the person's solicitor
• Certainty National Will Register (search service)

If there's no will, the estate is distributed according to intestacy rules (priority to spouse, then children, then other relatives).

2. Apply for Probate (If Needed)

Probate gives you legal authority to manage the deceased's estate (property, money, possessions). You need probate if:

• The estate is worth more than £5,000
• The deceased owned property solely in their name
• Banks or financial institutions request it

Apply online via gov.uk or use a solicitor. It typically takes 8-12 weeks to receive the grant of probate.

3. Value the Estate

List all assets (property, savings, investments, possessions) and debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards). This determines if you owe Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Inheritance Tax: Estates over £325,000 are taxed at 40% on the amount above the threshold (rising to £500,000 if you leave your home to children/grandchildren).

4. Claim Bereavement Benefits

You may be eligible for:

• Bereavement Support Payment: If your partner has died and you were under State Pension age — with dependent children or if pregnant: £3,500 lump sum + £350/month for 18 months (up to £9,800 total); without children: £2,500 lump sum + £100/month for 18 months (up to £4,300 total). Claim within 3 months for the full amount; you can still claim up to 21 months after death but may miss some payments.
• Funeral Expenses Payment: Covers burial or cremation fees in full (including the doctor's certificate), travel costs, and body transport if the deceased was moved more than 50 miles. Also covers up to £1,000 towards other costs (coffin, funeral director's fees, flowers). Must claim within 6 months. If a pre-paid funeral plan exists, only up to £120 is available for uncovered items.
• Children's Funeral Fund: If a child under 18 dies, or a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy, burial and cremation costs are covered in full through the Children's Funeral Fund for England. The funeral director applies — no action needed from the family. Equivalent schemes exist in Scotland and Wales.
• Guardian's Allowance: If you're raising the deceased's children

Ongoing Tasks (First 3-6 Months)

• Close social media accounts (or request memorialization on Facebook)
• Cancel passport and driving license
• Return NHS hearing aids, wheelchairs, or other equipment
• Transfer or cancel vehicle registration and insurance
• Settle debts and distribute the estate according to the will
• Arrange a memorial or headstone (if burial)

Helpful Resources

• Gov.uk "What to do when someone dies": Official government guide and checklist
• Tell Us Once service: Notify multiple government departments at once
• Cruse Bereavement Support: Free grief counseling (0808 808 1677)
• Citizens Advice: Free advice on benefits, probate, and legal matters
• Step Change Debt Charity: Help if the deceased had debts