What to do when someone dies in the UK: a step-by-step guide
When someone dies, there are important steps you need to take in the first hours, days, and weeks. This guide walks you through them in plain language so you know what to expect and what action to take.
The first few hours
If the death happens at home, in hospital, or in a care home, your first step depends on whether a doctor is already present.
If a doctor is present: They will examine the person and, if they are satisfied the person died of natural causes, will provide a medical certificate of cause of death. This is a legal form confirming why the person died. If they are unsure, they may ask for a post-mortem examination to establish the cause.
If no doctor is present: Call 999. The emergency services will attend and, if necessary, arrange for a doctor to examine the person and issue a medical certificate.
If the death was unexpected or involves suspicious circumstances: The police will attend. Do not move the body or disturb anything until police have completed their initial investigation.
Once you have a medical certificate, you can arrange for the body to be collected by a funeral director. You do not need to do this immediately, but you may choose to do so within a few hours.
Registering the death
By law, the death must be registered at your local register office within five days (in Scotland, this is three days). You will need the medical certificate to do this.
Who can register: A close relative (spouse, partner, parent, child, brother, sister, or grandparent), a person present at the death, or anyone responsible for arranging the funeral.
What you need: The medical certificate of cause of death, the person's birth certificate (if available), marriage certificate (if married), and if applicable, a document showing any change of name.
What you will receive: A death certificate (you will need several copies, so ask for 5-10). This is a legal document required for sorting out the estate, insurance claims, and other matters.
In Scotland: Death registration is handled slightly differently. You will still register at the local register office, but the process and documentation differ. Contact your local register office for specific guidance.
Arranging the funeral
You can arrange a funeral before or after registering the death. You do not need to use the register office to do this. Most people contact a funeral director within a few days of the death.
When you contact a funeral director, they will ask about your preferences (cremation or burial, type of service, budget) and will provide an itemised quote. Ask questions about what is included and what costs extra. You are free to use any funeral director, regardless of location.
If the person died intestate (without a will): You can still arrange the funeral. The funeral director will coordinate with the crematorium or burial ground. The cost of the funeral can be paid from the person's estate if there is sufficient money in their bank account or from savings.
Notifying key organisations
In the days and weeks after the death, you will need to inform various organisations. Start with the most important:
- GP and NHS. Notify the deceased's GP immediately. They will remove the person from their patient list.
- Employer. If the person was working, notify their employer as soon as possible. Check if they are entitled to any bereavement payments or pension benefits.
- Bank and financial institutions. Notify any banks, building societies, and financial advisers. They will freeze accounts pending probate (if a will exists) or grant of letters of administration (if no will).
- Insurance companies. Notify any life insurance, mortgage protection insurance, or critical illness insurance providers. These may pay out on death.
- Landlord or mortgage lender. If the person rented or had a mortgage, notify the landlord or lender immediately.
- Utilities and council tax. Notify water, gas, electricity, and council tax providers. You may be liable for these until the death is registered and the estate is settled.
- HMRC (tax office). Notify HMRC of the death. The person's final tax return will need to be completed.
Many of these organisations will ask for a death certificate. Order several certified copies from the register office (currently around £11 each) as you will need them for different purposes.
Dealing with the estate
If the person left a will, it will be dealt with through probate. If there is no will, the estate will be distributed according to intestacy rules.
If there is a will: You will need to apply for probate, which gives you (or the executor) legal permission to deal with the estate. This involves getting a valuation of assets, paying any taxes, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries. You may need a solicitor to help with this.
If there is no will: You will need to apply for letters of administration, which allows you to manage the estate according to intestacy rules. Again, a solicitor can help.
For smaller estates, the process may be simpler. Some banks and financial institutions have simplified procedures for releasing small amounts without formal probate or letters of administration.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
The steps outlined above apply to England and Wales. In Scotland, probate is called confirmation, and the process differs slightly. In Northern Ireland, the process is closer to England and Wales but with some variations.
If the person died in Scotland or Northern Ireland, contact your local register office or Citizens Advice for specific guidance on the steps you need to take.
Getting help and advice
You do not have to do all of this alone. The register office, funeral directors, and solicitors can all provide guidance. Citizens Advice and gov.uk also have detailed information on each step.
If you need emotional support, Cruse Bereavement Care and the Samaritans are available at any time.