What to Do When Someone Dies in the UK: Practical Checklist

Losing someone is hard enough without the pressure of paperwork and deadlines. In the first few days there are practical steps that can’t wait — getting the medical certificate, registering the death, and letting the right people know. When you’re grieving, even simple tasks can feel confusing or urgent all at once.

This guide offers a clear, UK‑specific checklist to follow at your own pace. It explains what to do first, who to contact, the documents you’ll need, and the timelines in England, Wales and Scotland. Whether the death happened at home, in hospital, or involves a coroner, you’ll find concise steps and options — including simple funeral choices such as direct cremation.

You’ll learn how to register the death and order extra certificates, use Tell Us Once, decide on funeral arrangements, notify banks and insurers, secure the home and redirect post, and manage legal matters like probate, Inheritance Tax and benefits. We also cover special situations and bereavement support. To begin, here’s what to do straight away.

Step 1. Take immediate action and get the medical certificate of cause of death

If you’re unsure what to do when someone dies in the UK, the first step is to have the death verified and get the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). You can’t register the death or arrange cremation or burial without it. A doctor completes the certificate and a medical examiner checks it, then the office contacts the nearest relative. If a doctor can’t issue an MCCD, the coroner is notified.

Who to call depends on where and how they died:

• Expected death at home: Call the GP practice or NHS 111. A clinician verifies the death; the GP issues the MCCD.
• Unexpected death at home: Call 999 immediately. Police will attend and a coroner may investigate; a post‑mortem can be ordered, delaying the funeral.
• Death in hospital: Staff verify the death. The medical examiner checks the cause and the hospital sends the MCCD to the registrar; the body stays in mortuary.

Step 2. Check if the death must be reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland)

Before you register the death, confirm whether it must be reported to the coroner (or the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland). A doctor or the police usually make the referral, and the medical examiner/doctor will tell you. If referred, the coroner/fiscal may order a post‑mortem or hold an inquest, which can delay registration and the funeral. You cannot refuse a coroner‑ordered post‑mortem, but you can explain any faith or timing needs.

Situations that trigger a referral include:

• Cause of death unknown or uncertain.
• Violent or unnatural death (for example, accident, suicide, drug or alcohol overdose).
• Suspicious circumstances.
• Death in custody or police/prison care.
• Not seen by a doctor during their last illness.

Registration and cremation can only proceed once the coroner/fiscal issues the required paperwork.

Step 3. Register the death and order extra death certificates (5 days in England and Wales, 8 in Scotland)

If you’re asking what to do when someone dies in the UK, registering the death promptly is essential: within 5 days in England and Wales, or 8 days in Scotland (unless the coroner/Procurator Fiscal is investigating). Once the cause of death is confirmed, book an appointment with a register office — ideally in the district where the person died so you can receive the documents the same day. Using another district can add delays as papers are forwarded.

Have ready (and bring if possible):

• Key details: date/place of death; full name and former names; date/place of birth; usual address; occupation/retired; benefits received (including State Pension); spouse/civil partner’s name, occupation and date of birth.
• Supporting documents (if available): birth certificate; NHS number/medical card; passport; marriage/civil partnership certificate; driving licence; proof of address.

The registrar will give you:

• Certificate for burial or cremation (the ‘Green Form’).
• A Tell Us Once reference code to notify government departments.
• Death certificates (certified copies, fee payable). Consider ordering several — many banks and insurers will not accept photocopies.

Step 4. Use the Tell Us Once service to notify government departments

Tell Us Once saves you making multiple calls after a death. When you register the death, the registrar will explain the service and give you a unique reference number. You can use Tell Us Once online or by phone on 0800 085 7308. Have the deceased’s details and your reference number to hand; the registrar can also help you use the service.

It can update records with:

• DWP benefits and State Pension
• HM Passport Office
• DVLA (driving licence and vehicle records)
• HMRC (tax)
• Local council services (Council Tax, electoral register, Blue Badge, libraries)

If Tell Us Once isn’t available, you must contact these organisations yourself. You’ll still need to physically return the passport to HM Passport Office and the driving licence to DVLA, even if you’ve used the service.

Step 5. Decide on funeral arrangements (cremation or burial, including direct cremation)

Once the death is registered and you have the ‘Green Form’, decide on the type of funeral. Check any wishes in the will or a letter, and whether there’s a pre‑paid plan. If the coroner is involved, the funeral may be delayed and cremation needs their permission. If you prefer a simple, affordable option, consider a direct cremation — an unattended cremation with ashes returned or scattered, allowing a later, personal memorial.

Key decisions and actions:

• Confirm wishes and funding: Look for a pre‑paid plan, insurance, or estate funds before committing to costs.
• Choose cremation or burial: Direct cremation avoids a ceremony and keeps costs low; hold a separate celebration of life later.
• Use a funeral director or DIY: Pick directors registered with NAFD/SAIF, get an itemised quote and the standardised price list, and ask about third‑party disbursements.
• Set timings and paperwork: Book the crematorium/cemetery; if there’s a coroner, wait for their clearance and explain any faith‑based urgency.
• Decide on ashes: Many crematoria/providers can scatter ashes in a garden of remembrance or return them to you for a private farewell.

Step 6. Tell other organisations and return official documents (banks, pensions, passport, driving licence)

After registration (and even if you’ve used Tell Us Once), you’ll still need to contact non‑government organisations and be ready to share an original or certified copy of the death certificate. Keep notes of dates, names and account numbers, and ask each organisation how they want documents sent to avoid delays.

Who to notify and why:

• Banks and building societies: freeze/close accounts and stop cards and Direct Debits; ask about their process for releasing funds.
• Pension providers (workplace/personal): stop payments and discuss any entitlements due.
• Insurance companies: notify life, home, car and other insurers to cancel or start a claim.
• Employer/trade union: payroll, benefits and any death‑in‑service arrangements.
• Mortgage provider/landlord/housing association: update records and discuss next steps.
• Utility and telecoms providers: energy, water, phone and broadband for final bills or transfers.
• Medical providers: GP, dentist, optician and any care services.
• Clubs, charities and subscriptions: cancel memberships and regular payments.

Return official documents:

• Passport: send to HM Passport Office for cancellation.
• Driving licence: return to DVLA for cancellation. This is required even if you used Tell Us Once.

You should also report the death to the DWP. The Bereavement Service helpline (0800 151 2012) can update DWP benefits and check eligibility for bereavement benefits or a Funeral Expenses Payment in the same call.

Step 7. Secure the home, redirect post and protect against identity fraud

Once you’ve registered the death, turn to practical protection. Securing the property and controlling post reduces the risk of damage or fraud, and avoids avoidable costs. If you’re still working through what to do when someone dies in the UK, think “safe home, safe mail, minimal paper trail.”

Practical steps:

• Secure the property: Lock doors and windows, remove valuables, set light timers and ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on things.
• Tell the home insurer: Inform them the property is unoccupied; if they won’t cover empty homes, arrange suitable cover.
• Manage utilities: Take meter readings, keep basic services (heating on low, water, electricity) and inform providers for final bills.
• Council Tax: Many councils offer an exemption on an empty home after a death — check your local authority’s rules.
• Redirect the post: Use Royal Mail’s special‑circumstances redirection to the executor or next of kin (there’s a fee).
• Stop unwanted mail: Register the deceased with the Mailing Preference Service and The Bereavement Register.
• Protect identity: Store passports, driving licence and key documents securely (return passport/licence as required), and destroy bank cards and cheque books that are no longer needed.

Step 8. Locate the will, funeral plans and important documents

When you’re working out what to do when someone dies in the UK, finding the latest will is crucial — it names the executors and may set out funeral wishes. Tell the named executors promptly and keep all originals safe. Before committing to funeral costs, check for a pre‑paid plan or insurance that could cover some or all expenses. Start a simple inventory and expect to need certified death certificates for many organisations.

Where to look and what to gather:

• Will, any codicils and letter of wishes: home files, safe, solicitor or bank.
• Pre‑paid funeral plan details: policy documents or emails; note the nominated funeral director.
• Life insurance and pensions: policy numbers and recent statements.
• Bank/building society statements and investments: account numbers and providers.
• Property paperwork: title deeds or Land Registry details; mortgage or tenancy agreements.
• Vehicle documents: V5C logbook and insurance.
• ID and civil documents: passport, driving licence, NHS number, birth/marriage or civil partnership certificates.
• Utilities and subscriptions: account references for energy, water, phone, broadband and memberships.
• Digital access info (if available): password manager details or instructions for online accounts.

Step 9. Cancel lasting or enduring powers of attorney and notify the Office of the Public Guardian

If the person had a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or an older Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), it ends automatically on death. Attorneys must stop acting immediately. To update the register and prevent misuse, the attorney or executor should notify the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and tidy up any copies held with banks or healthcare providers.

Actions to take:

• Tell the OPG: Send the original LPA/EPA, any certified copies, and a copy of the death certificate with a covering note (name, date of birth, OPG reference if known, date of death, your role and contact details) to: Office of the Public Guardian, PO Box 16185, Birmingham, B2 2WH.
• Inform organisations: Contact any place the LPA/EPA was recorded (for example, banks, investment platforms, GP, care providers) so they remove the authority from their records.
• Stop using LPA/EPA documents: Securely store or return originals; destroy surplus certified copies once the OPG confirms cancellation.
• Keep evidence: Retain copies of letters and proof of postage for the estate file.

Step 10. Check help with costs and financial support (Funeral Expenses Payment, Bereavement Support Payment)

Funerals can be costly, so it’s worth checking government support early — especially when you’re working out what to do when someone dies in the UK on a tight budget. The DWP Bereavement Service helpline (0800 151 2012) can update benefits, run an eligibility check, and even take claims for bereavement benefits or help with funeral costs over the phone.

• Funeral Expenses Payment (FEP): If you’re responsible for the funeral and on certain means‑tested benefits (for example, Pension Credit), you may get help towards a simple, respectful funeral in the UK, including up to £1,000 for items like the coffin and flowers. Claim within 6 months. The DWP can refuse if someone else could pay.

• Bereavement Support Payment (BSP): If your partner has died, you might qualify for BSP. The DWP can confirm eligibility and take a claim during the same call.

• Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave: Available if your child has died or you’ve had a stillbirth.

• Other help: If FEP isn’t available or enough, ask about a Budgeting Loan (or Budgeting Advance if on Universal Credit). If you’re bringing up a child whose parents have died, check Guardian’s Allowance.

Step 11. Value the estate and check if Inheritance Tax (IHT) is due

As part of what to do when someone dies in the UK, you’ll need a realistic date‑of‑death valuation of everything the person owned to see if Inheritance Tax is payable. This valuation is required even if no tax is due — it underpins the probate application and how you distribute the estate. Keep clear records, copies of statements and written valuations in case HMRC or the probate registry ask for evidence.

What to do now:

• List all assets: property, bank/building society accounts, investments, premium bonds, valuable personal items, and any life policies payable to the estate.
• Get date‑of‑death valuations: written estate‑agent opinions for property, statements for accounts, share prices, and professional valuations for high‑value items.
• Record debts and bills owed at death: mortgages, loans, credit cards, utilities, and any outstanding taxes.
• Calculate the net estate: total assets minus total liabilities to reach an estimate.
• Check IHT position on GOV.UK guidance: this will confirm if tax is due and what to do next.
• File and pay if required: some or all IHT may need to be settled (or an initial payment made) before probate; payments are made from estate funds.
• Seek advice if needed: consider a solicitor or tax adviser for larger or complicated estates.

Once you’ve gathered valuations and confirmed the IHT position, you’re ready to decide if probate is needed and begin the application.

Step 12. Apply for probate (or confirmation in Scotland) if required

If you’re working out what to do when someone dies in the UK, the next decision is whether you need probate (called confirmation in Scotland). You’ll usually need it to sell property or access money, investments and valuables in the person’s sole name. You might not need it if everything was owned jointly and passes to a surviving partner, or if only small balances are held and organisations will release funds without a grant.

You’re likely to need a grant if:

• There’s property in the sole name of the person who died.
• Banks/investment firms request it before releasing funds.
• There’s no surviving joint owner for key assets.

How to apply: the executor named in the will applies for probate; if there’s no will, a close relative usually applies to administer the estate (in Scotland, apply for confirmation). You can apply yourself or use a solicitor. Typically you’ll need: the original will (if any), a death certificate copy, full estate valuations, any required Inheritance Tax reference, and proof of identity. Some or all IHT may need paying (or an initial payment) before the grant is issued. Keep copies of everything for the estate file.

Step 13. Administer the estate: collect assets, pay debts and distribute to beneficiaries

With probate (or confirmation) granted, the executor’s job is to take control of the estate, keep estate money separate, and account for every pound. You must settle taxes and debts before passing anything to beneficiaries — GOV.UK is clear that liabilities are paid first, then the estate is distributed according to the will or the law. Keep tidy records and copies of all correspondence; beneficiaries are entitled to a clear estate account.

Typical sequence:

• Open an estate bank account: Pay in balances from closed accounts and any sale proceeds.
• Collect assets: Close bank/building society accounts, encash investments, and handle property (sell or transfer). Update property records once transfers complete.
• Pay estate costs and debts: Funeral and administration expenses, any Inheritance Tax due, then other bills owed at the date of death.
• Check solvency: If debts may exceed assets, stop payments and get specialist advice before prioritising creditors.
• Prepare estate accounts: A simple schedule of money in, money out, and what’s left for each beneficiary.
• Distribute the estate: Make interim payments only when you’re confident all liabilities are covered; obtain signed receipts on final distribution.

Handled methodically, this stage brings closure — and it’s a key part of what to do when someone dies in the UK.

Step 14. Manage practicalities: digital accounts, vehicles, pets and subscriptions

With the legal steps underway, turn to the everyday details that protect privacy, prevent extra charges and keep life running smoothly. This tidy‑up is a core part of what to do when someone dies in the UK and can usually be handled alongside probate.

• Digital accounts and devices: Secure phones, laptops and tablets. Contact email, cloud storage and social media providers to close or memorialise accounts (they’ll normally ask for a death certificate). Save important photos/files first, then wipe devices before passing them on.
• Vehicles: If the car won’t be used, declare it off the road (SORN) and keep it insured while stored. If it will be used or sold, tell DVLA, update the V5C logbook with the new keeper, and cancel or transfer the insurance.
• Pets: Arrange immediate care with family or friends, pass on vet records and supplies, and agree longer‑term rehoming. Reasonable pet care costs can be paid from the estate.
• Subscriptions and contracts: Cancel streaming, gym, magazines and memberships. Contact mobile, broadband and TV providers to end contracts. Ask banks to stop Continuous Payment Authorities and Direct Debits you can’t cancel directly.

Step 15. Know the special situations (death abroad, stillbirths and neonatal loss, organ donation, immigration status)

Some circumstances add extra steps and timelines to what to do when someone dies in the UK. The key is to act promptly, keep documents safe, and follow the specific rules that apply to each situation.

• Death abroad: Register the death under local law and get a certified English translation. You can also report it to the British Consulate. If the body returns to the UK, give the English certificate to the local registrar where the funeral will be held; they’ll issue a ‘certificate of no liability to register’. Cremation requires coroner permission. If the death was not from natural causes, the coroner may hold an inquest.

• Stillbirths and neonatal loss: A stillbirth (after 24 weeks) must be registered within 42 days (21 in Scotland). For neonatal/perinatal deaths, register both the birth and death (death within 5 days after the registrar gets the medical certificate; 8 in Scotland). Some funeral charges may be waived; Child Benefit can continue for up to 8 weeks and Universal Credit may pay the child element for 2 assessment periods.

• Organ or body donation: Organ donation is easier if the person was on the NHS Organ Donor Register, but families are still asked to consent. Body donation for medical education requires the person’s prior written consent with a medical school.

• Immigration status: If your right to stay in the UK depended on the person who died (for example, a partner of a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave), you may need to apply for a new visa. Check the rules or contact UKVI for guidance.

Step 16. Look after yourself and find bereavement support

Grief is personal and rarely tidy. Give yourself permission to move slowly, break tasks into small steps, and lean on people who can share the load. If you’re still working out what to do when someone dies in the UK, it’s just as important to care for your wellbeing as it is to finish the paperwork.

• Speak to your GP: Get support for sleep, anxiety or low mood, and ask about local counselling.
• Cruse Bereavement Support: Helpline 0808 808 1677 for practical and emotional help.
• Samaritans (24/7): Call 116 123 any time if you need to talk.
• Shout text support: Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free, confidential messaging.
• Mind and local services: Your council may offer bereavement services; Mind provides guidance on finding help.
• Lean on your network: Family, friends, faith leaders and employers can offer time off and practical assistance.
• If it feels like an emergency: Call 999 or go to A&E.

Next steps and support

You now have a clear path through the first days and the weeks that follow. Tackle one step at a time, keep copies of everything, and lean on services like Tell Us Once to reduce admin. If you’d like a simple, dignified goodbye without a ceremony, our team at Go Direct Cremations can arrange an unattended cremation, return or scatter the ashes, and handle the paperwork with care, 24/7.

• Register the death and order extra certificates.
• Use Tell Us Once and notify key organisations.
• Choose funeral arrangements (direct cremation or burial) and set a budget.
• Secure the home: redirect post and protect against fraud.