What to do when someone dies in Chester
Comprehensive list of all local Chester services required to carry out all the tasks following someone’s death.
Chester Registration office covers
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Hold your horses!
When someone dies, families often have to make important decisions very quickly. A little preparation beforehand — or simply knowing what to check before taking action — can prevent unnecessary expense, complications and sometimes financial loss to you personally.
Before arranging anything, try to establish whether there is:
- a Will and who the executors are — they will normally be responsible for dealing with the estate;
- a funeral plan, funeral insurance or other insurance which may help with the cost;
- funeral wishes explaining what the person wanted.
It is equally important to know what not to do. Don’t assume that being next of kin automatically gives you authority, don’t use the deceased person’s bank cards or accounts, and don’t start giving away belongings before the legal position is clear. Estate debts and taxes normally need dealing with before the estate is distributed.
The practical information below will help you work through things in the right order — and avoid some surprisingly expensive mistakes.
1. Immediate steps
Circumstances of death.
Who to contact when someone dies depends on the circumstances of their death.
- Where did they die?
- Was the death expected or unexpected?
If the death was expected.
Verification of death
Contact their GP surgery if at home.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death issued and sent to the Medical Examiner
Handled by attending practitioner.
Medical examiner review
Handled by medical examiner then send the approved document to the Registrar.
Registrar informed
Handled by medical practitioners. they will normally inform you, or the Registrar will. Then book immediatly appointment with the Registrar if you are the relevant person
The Registrar will prvide the certificate for burial or cremation and information to enable the executors to use the Tell Us Once Service.
← Read full guidanceIf the death was unexpected.
Contact emergency services immediately on 999
The death is referred to the coroner
Coroner decides on next steps
Registrar informed
← Read full guidanceNotify the family
Family, next of kin, and anyone close who would want to know.
← Read full guidanceSecure the property
If there is now no one living at the property, find local locksmiths in Chester to change the locks and secure the property.
← Read full guidance2. Register the death
Cheshire Registrars
Main Appointment Line: 0300 123 7037
Out-of-Hours Line (Emergencies): 0300 123 8123
Email: ch*******************@************************ov.uk
Main Register Office: Merchants House, Crook Street, Chester, CH1 2BE
After Registration, Notify the Tell Us Once service
This informs the following agencies:
← Read full guidanceYou do this online, once the Registrar has given you the code
Notify service providers
You will need the death certificate from the registrar to carry out the following important tasks.
Notify banks
Notify pension providers
Notify Life Insurance companies
Home and contents insurer
Notify their care home
← Read full guidanceLocal home and contents insurers
Directory listing.
3. Arrange the funeral
Check for a pre-paid funeral plan
It is important to check for a pre-paid funeral plan before appointing a funeral director, because you could risk losing the full funeral cost.
← Read full guidanceThe Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) provide the regulatory framework and authoritative information to help you identify legally operating providers.
The FCA Funeral Plans Consumer Page provides clear advice and dedicated guidance on what to do if you suspect a policy was held with a firm that has closed down or failed to achieve authorisation.
For practical advice on managing and tracking down plans, the FCA officially directs consumers to MoneyHelper, which provides comprehensive step-by-step toolkits for families navigating bereavement.
You can also use these third-party services:
Arrange the funeral – technically the executor’s decision
Choose a Crematorium or Cemetery
Establish their wishes and book the appropriate location.
Arrange the funeral
The funeral director coordinates the service, liaises with the crematorium or cemetery, and handles the paperwork. Legally, the person who books it is responsible for ensuring the cost.
Book other services for the funeral
You may want to consider any of the following:
- Funeral celebrant
- Florist
- Wake venue and caterers
- Grave tending service
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4. Estate administration (Probate)
There can be many pitfalls and complications when administering their estate, but we can provide expert advice on finding the right service providers for you and your situation, and help ensure you pay the right price for any professional service. Probate Forms for DIY.
Locate the will
Find the will and locate the executor
The National Will Register is an independent register used by solicitors, the public, and the Law Society to track where wills are stored, though many are stored at home. Check out our service for your own affairs. LINK
← Read full guidanceProbate
Apply for Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration)
Needed in most cases to release and distribute assets. Not always required for small estates.
Appoint professional service providers
You may or may not need professional help with probate and administration.
In many cases you can save money by carrying out tasks yourself, or hiring the best value practitioners.
We can help or use one of the firms listed.
← Read full guidanceProfessional services in Chester
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National probate service providers
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Administer and distribute the estate
The vast majority of estates are distributed smoothly and without problems, although it is not uncommon for disputes over inheritance to arise.
Depending on your circumstances, you may require professional legal services to resolve any disputes that arise between beneficiaries and/or the executors. LINK to IDR page
← Read full guidanceAn error occurred while processing the request. Please contact the administrator of the website for further information.
5. Property and possessions
Their property and possessions need consolidating and taking care of, which may be required as part of the probate process, or simply to make sure everything is secure and safe and remains insured (most policies lapse if a property is left empty) LINK
This should be taken care of alongside the probate proceedings or the executors could be liable for any loss.
Get a property valuation
Required for Inheritance Tax purposes. Must be completed before probate is applied for.
You may require a professional surveyor.
← Read full guidanceClear the property
You may want to hire a house clearance specialist.
You may require an auctioneer to sell possessions.
← Read full guidance6. General administration
Smaller tasks that can run in parallel with the other responsibilities.
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Close digital accounts
Close online accounts
You can use digital estate services to close all online social media or email accounts.
You might need password recovery.
← Read full guidance7. General administration
7. General administration
7. Bereavement Support
Town Bereavement Support
National Bereavement Support
| Organisation | Who they help | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Cruse Bereavement Support | General bereavement and grief support for adults and families | 0808 808 1677 |
| Samaritans | Anyone struggling emotionally, including following a bereavement. Available 24 hours a day | 116 123 |
| Child Bereavement UK | Bereaved children and young people, and families affected by the death of a baby or child | 0800 02 888 40 |
| Grief Encounter | Bereaved children, young people and their families | 0808 802 0111 |
| Winston’s Wish | Support and information for grieving children, young people and families; now part of Child Bereavement UK | 08088 020 021 |
| Child Death Helpline | Parents, grandparents, siblings and others affected by the death of a child of any age | 0800 282 986 |
| The Compassionate Friends | Bereaved parents, adult siblings and grandparents | 0345 123 2304 |
| Sands | Pregnancy loss and the death of a baby, including parents and wider family | 0808 164 3332 |
| The Lullaby Trust | Families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child | 0808 802 6868 |
| Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) | Adults bereaved or affected by suicide | 0300 111 5065 |
| The Miscarriage Association | People affected by miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy | 01924 200799 |
| RoadPeace | People bereaved or seriously affected by road crashes | 0207 733 1603 |
| WAY – Widowed and Young | Peer support for people aged 50 or under when their partner died | Support is primarily through membership and its member telephone service. |