When Someone Dies: A Practical Guide for the UK

Losing someone you love is overwhelming. On top of grief, there's a mountain of practical tasks to deal with. This guide is designed to help you through the process, one step at a time. You don't need to do everything at once, and you don't need to do it alone.

We've organised this guide chronologically, from the first hours to the first weeks. Keep it bookmarked and work through it at your own pace.

Table of Contents

• Immediately After Death
• The First 24-48 Hours
• Registering the Death
• The Tell Us Once Service
• Arranging the Funeral
• The First Weeks
• Important Contacts
• FAQ
• Next Steps

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Immediately After Death {#immediately-after}

What happens first depends on where the death occurred.

Death at Home (Expected)

If someone was receiving end-of-life care and their death was expected:

1. Don't call 999 - There's no emergency
2. Call the person's GP or out-of-hours service
3. Contact the district nurse if one was involved in care
4. A doctor will come to confirm the death and provide a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
5. Call the funeral director when you're ready - there's no rush

You can take your time. The person can stay at home for several days if you wish. Many families find this helpful for saying goodbye.

Death at Home (Unexpected)

If the death was sudden or unexpected:

1. Call 999 immediately if you think there's any chance of resuscitation
2. If clearly deceased, call 999 and ask for police - they'll guide you
3. A doctor will need to certify the death
4. The coroner may need to be involved
5. Don't move the body until advised

Death in Hospital

Hospital staff will:

• Confirm the death
• Provide the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• Explain what happens next
• Give you time to say goodbye
• Store the body until funeral arrangements are made

You'll need to collect:

• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• Any personal belongings
• Information about registering the death

Death in a Care Home

Care home staff will:

• Call a doctor to confirm the death
• Contact the family
• Arrange for the Medical Certificate
• Help coordinate with funeral directors

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The First 24-48 Hours {#first-48-hours}

These tasks don't all need to happen immediately, but they're usually the first things to address.

Get the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

This document (sometimes called the MCCD or "death certificate" informally, though it's different from the official death certificate) comes from the doctor who certifies the death.

What it looks like: A formal document stating the cause of death and the deceased's details.

What you need it for: Registering the death and arranging the funeral.

Cost: Free

Find the Will and Important Documents

If possible, locate:

• The will (check with a solicitor if you know they had one)
• Birth certificate
• Marriage/civil partnership certificate
• National Insurance number
• Passport
• Bank statements
• Insurance policies
• Property deeds
• Pension details

Where to look:

• Filing cabinet or home safe
• With their solicitor
• At their bank (safe deposit box)
• National Will Register (if registered)

Tip: The will names the executors who have authority to handle the estate. They should be involved in key decisions from early on.

Notify Immediate Family and Close Friends

You don't have to do this alone. One person can make initial calls, then others can spread the word.

Consider:

• Employers (theirs and yours if you need time off)
• Close friends who should know immediately
• Religious leaders if appropriate
• Anyone who might otherwise try to contact them

Secure the Property

If the person lived alone:

• Check that the property is locked and secure
• Cancel any expected deliveries
• Consider redirecting post
• Check if any pets need care
• Ensure heating/water is appropriate to prevent damage

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Registering the Death {#registering}

This is a legal requirement and must be done within strict timelines.

Deadlines by Country

Country	Registration Deadline
England & Wales	5 days
Scotland	8 days
Northern Ireland	5 days

These deadlines can be extended if the coroner is involved.

Who Can Register a Death?

In order of priority:

1. A relative who was present at the death
2. A relative in attendance during the last illness
3. A relative living in the district where the death occurred
4. Anyone present at the death
5. The occupier of the building where the death occurred
6. The person arranging the funeral

How to Register

What You Get from Registration

Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Green Form):

• Free
• Required before funeral can proceed
• Given to funeral director

Death Certificate:

• £12.50 for standard delivery
• £12.50 for priority service (24 hours)
• You'll need multiple copies for banks, insurers, pension providers
• Order at least 4-5 copies

When the Coroner Is Involved

The coroner investigates when:

• The cause of death is unknown
• The death was violent or unnatural
• The death occurred during surgery or before recovery from anaesthetic
• The death was sudden and unexplained
• A doctor hasn't seen the person in the 14 days before death

What this means:

• The coroner may order a post-mortem examination
• Registration is delayed until the coroner releases the body
• The coroner issues paperwork for burial/cremation
• An inquest may be opened

Timeline: A straightforward coroner's case might add a week or two. Complex investigations can take months.

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The Tell Us Once Service {#tell-us-once}

This service notifies multiple government departments about the death in one go, saving you hours of phone calls.

What Tell Us Once Does

One notification tells all of these:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Department for Work and Pensions (benefits)
• Passport Office
• DVLA
• Local council (housing benefit, council tax)
• Public sector pension schemes

How to Use Tell Us Once

You'll receive a unique reference number when you register the death. Use this to:

• Complete online: gov.uk/tell-us-once
• Call the helpline: Given at registration
• At the register office: Some offices offer assisted completion

Information you'll need:

• Unique reference number from registration
• National Insurance number
• Date of birth
• Details of benefits, driving license, passport

Time needed: About 15-30 minutes

What Tell Us Once Doesn't Cover

You'll still need to contact:

• Banks and building societies
• Insurance companies
• Private pension providers
• Utility companies
• Phone and broadband providers
• Subscription services
• Social media companies
• Employers

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Arranging the Funeral {#funeral}

Most people use a funeral director, but it's not legally required. You can arrange a funeral yourself if you wish.

Choosing a Funeral Director

Look for:

• Membership of a professional body (NAFD or SAIF)
• Clear, itemised pricing
• Willingness to work within your budget
• Good reviews and recommendations

Average costs (2026):

What's included:

• Funeral director's services
• Collection and care of the deceased
• Coffin or casket
• Hearse and transport
• Cremation or burial fees (often charged separately)
• Minister or celebrant fees

Burial vs Cremation

Factor	Burial	Cremation
Cost	Higher (includes grave plot)	Lower
Timescale	Typically 1-2 weeks	Typically 1-2 weeks
Environmental	Natural burial options available	Lower land use
Flexibility	Fixed location	Ashes can be scattered/kept
Religious	Required by some faiths	Prohibited by some faiths

Paying for the Funeral

If funds are tight:

• Funeral Expenses Payment: Government help for those on certain benefits
• Pre-paid funeral plans: If the deceased had one
• Life insurance: May pay out quickly for funeral costs
• Bank release: Banks may release funds specifically for funeral costs before probate

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The First Weeks {#first-weeks}

Once the immediate tasks are done, there's more admin to address.

Notifying Banks and Financial Institutions

Each bank has its own process, but generally:

1. Call or visit with death certificate
2. Joint accounts: Surviving holder can usually continue using them
3. Sole accounts: Frozen until probate is granted
4. Direct debits: Review and cancel unnecessary ones
5. Funeral costs: Banks may release funds for the funeral before probate

Stopping Benefits and Pensions

State Pension: Tell Us Once handles this Private pensions: Contact each provider directly Benefits: Tell Us Once handles most, but check nothing is missed

Managing Their Home

If the deceased lived alone:

• Notify the council (council tax)
• Contact utility companies
• Forward or redirect post
• Review home insurance
• Secure valuables
• Don't rush to clear the property - there's no deadline

Social Media and Online Accounts

Facebook: Can be memorialised or deleted by verified family Google: Inactive Account Manager may have settings Other platforms: Usually need death certificate sent to support team

Dealing with Debt

The deceased's debts are paid from their estate, not by relatives personally (unless you were a guarantor or co-signer).

Priority order for estate debts:

1. Funeral expenses
2. Secured debts (mortgage)
3. Unsecured debts (credit cards, loans)

If the estate can't cover all debts, they're written off. Creditors cannot pursue relatives.

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Important Contacts {#contacts}

Keep these numbers handy:

Service	Contact
Register office (find local)	gov.uk/register-a-death
Tell Us Once	0800 085 7308
Bereavement Support Payment	0800 731 0469
Citizens Advice	0800 144 8848
Cruse Bereavement Support	0808 808 1677
Samaritans	116 123

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Frequently Asked Questions {#frequently-asked-questions}

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A Week-by-Week Timeline

Week 1:

• Get Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• Register the death
• Use Tell Us Once
• Find the will
• Contact funeral director
• Notify employer

Week 2:

• Arrange funeral
• Notify banks (with death certificate)
• Start probate process if needed
• Contact insurance companies
• Forward post

Weeks 3-4:

• Apply for probate if needed
• Continue notifying organisations
• Begin sorting possessions (no rush)
• Consider professional help for complex estates

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Key Takeaways

• Registration deadline: 5 days in England and Wales, 8 days in Scotland
• Tell Us Once: One service notifies multiple government departments
• Order multiple death certificates: You'll need 4-5 copies for various organisations
• No rush on clearing property: Take the time you need
• Debts stay with the estate: Relatives are not personally liable unless co-signed
• Professional help is optional: But valuable for complex situations

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Next Steps {#next-steps}

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Last updated: January 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures may vary in Scotland and Northern Ireland.