What to do when someone dies in the UK: a simple first steps checklist

General information for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Rules can vary between nations and individual circumstances — always check current guidance for your situation. This article does not replace legal, medical or financial advice.

What to do when someone dies: the short answer

In the hours after a death, there are only a few things that need to happen straight away: the death needs to be confirmed by a doctor, and you need to decide who to call first, family, a funeral director, and if the death was unexpected, the emergency services. Everything else, from registering the death to sorting the estate, can wait a few days. This checklist splits what follows into three stages immediate matters, the next few days, and later administration — so you can focus on one thing at a time.

Key points

  • If the death was unexpected, call 999. If it was expected (for example, at home under a GP or hospice's care), call the GP surgery or community nursing team, not 999.
  • You must register the death within 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or 8 days in Scotland, unless the death has been referred to a coroner or procurator fiscal.
  • A funeral usually can't go ahead until the death is registered and you have the certificate for burial or cremation.
  • Wider financial and legal matters, probate, Inheritance Tax, closing accounts - can generally wait until after the funeral.

Immediate matters (the first day or so)

Confirming the death

What happens first depends on where the death occurred and whether it was expected.

  • If the death was expected for example, someone receiving palliative or hospice care at home — call their GP surgery or community nursing team. A doctor or nurse will attend to confirm the death.
  • If the death was unexpected or the cause is unclear, call 999. The death may need to be referred to a coroner (or, in Scotland, the procurator fiscal), which can add time before you're able to register it.
  • If the death happens in a hospital or care home, staff will usually confirm the death and guide you through the immediate next steps.

Telling the people who need to know first

There's no fixed order, but many families start with close family members, then a funeral director if one hasn't already been chosen. If you need to tell a child that someone has died, it can help to plan a few gentle, honest words in advance.

Practical, same-day matters

  • Check whether the person had any dependants, pets, or care needs (for example, a home care visit due that day) that need immediate attention.
  • If they died at home and a coroner isn't involved, you can usually arrange for a funeral director to move the person into their care when you're ready.

The next few days

Getting the medical certificate and registering the death

Before you can register a death, a doctor issues a medical certificate confirming the cause of death. In England, this now involves review by an independent medical examiner, who may contact you to explain the findings — this is a routine step, and taking part is voluntary.

You then register the death with the local registrar:

  • England, Wales and Northern Ireland: within 5 days of the death (or of getting the medical certificate), unless a coroner is involved.
  • Scotland: within 8 days.

It's best to register at (or close to) the register office for the area where the death happened, as this usually means you get your documents on the same day. Registering gives you the death certificate (which you may need several copies of) and the certificate for burial or cremation, which your funeral director will need before a funeral can go ahead.

Telling government departments: Tell Us Once

When you register the death, the registrar will usually offer the Tell Us Once service, which reports the death to most government departments in one go. We've covered exactly what it does and doesn't cover, and who you'll still need to contact yourself, in a separate guide on who to notify when someone dies.

Arranging the funeral

Once you have the certificate for burial or cremation, the funeral director can confirm arrangements. It's worth asking for a written cost breakdown before committing, and checking whether the person had a funeral plan, life insurance, or savings set aside that could help with costs.

Telling an employer, landlord or school

If the person was employed, their employer will usually need to know fairly promptly to sort out final pay, pension contributions and any death-in-service benefits. The same applies to a landlord, or a child's school if relevant.

Later administration (the following weeks)

Finding out if there's a will

Check whether the person left a will, and who they named as executor. This affects who is responsible for dealing with the estate.

Valuing the estate and probate

The executor (or next of kin, if there's no will) will usually need to value the estate; property, savings, possessions and debts and may need to apply for probate (or, in Scotland, confirmation) before they can access accounts or sell property. Inheritance Tax may be due depending on the value of the estate; the current thresholds and rules are set out on GOV.UK, as they can change.

Closing accounts and ongoing bills

Banks, mortgage providers, insurers, utility companies and private pension schemes aren't covered by Tell Us Once, so these need to be contacted directly. Our guide to who needs to be notified sets these out by category.

Checking for financial support

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to bereavement benefits, such as Bereavement Support Payment, or Guardian's Allowance if you're now responsible for someone else's child. Eligibility depends on National Insurance contributions and personal circumstances, so it's worth checking the current rules on GOV.UK rather than assuming either way.

A checklist you can keep coming back to

Because after-death administration can stretch over weeks or months, many families find it helpful to have a physical, step-by-step reference they can return to without having to search for guidance each time. Our UK After-Death Checklist was written for exactly this - a clear, plain-English guide to what to do and who to notify after a death in the UK, organised so you can pick it up at whichever stage you're at.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register the death before the funeral?

Yes, in almost all cases. The certificate for burial or cremation is issued at registration, and funeral directors need it before a funeral can proceed.

What if the death has been referred to a coroner?

You may not be able to register the death, or hold the funeral, until the coroner's involvement is complete. The registrar or coroner's office can tell you what's needed in the meantime.

Can someone else register the death for me?

Usually a relative registers the death, but in some circumstances someone else present at the death, or in charge of the arrangements, can do so. GOV.UK sets out exactly who is eligible.

Is there a deadline for dealing with the estate?

There's no single fixed deadline for administering an estate, though Inheritance Tax (if due) is normally expected to be paid within six months of the death to avoid interest, so it's worth checking the estate's position reasonably early.

What if I can't afford a funeral?

Support may be available, including the Funeral Expenses Payment (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Funeral Support Payment (Scotland), depending on your circumstances. GOV.UK explains current eligibility.

Sources

Last reviewed: September 2026. This article provides general information only and isn't a substitute for legal, financial or medical advice. Rules can change and can vary by nation and personal circumstances — always check current guidance on GOV.UK or with a qualified professional.