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.
Need Professional Help?
But don’t want to pay through the nose….then just tell Steve a bit about the situation (and any quotes you’ve had) and he will see how much can be cut off the bill
CLICK HERE (warning – do not let any professional do ANY work until you have checked their quote – you may not be able to get rid of them!)
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
Handled by attending practitioner.
Medical examiner review
Handled by medical examiner.
Registrar informed
Handled by medical practitioners.
← 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
Find local locksmiths in Chester to change the locks and secure the property.
← Read full guidance[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_locksmiths”]
2. 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
You do this online:
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 authorization.
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:
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_funeral_directors”]
Arrange the funeral
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.
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
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_funeral_services”]
4. Estate administration
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.
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.
← 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 admistration.
In many cases you can save money by carrying out tasks yourself, ir hiring the best value practitioners.
We can help [link to broker page]
← Read full guidanceProfessional services in Chester
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”financial_and_planning”]
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”legal_services”]
National probate service providers
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”national_legal_services”]
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.
← Read full guidance[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”contentious_probate_solicitors”]
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.
This should be taken care of alongside the probate proceedings.
Get a property valuation
Required for Inheritance Tax purposes. Must be completed before probate is granted.
You may require a professional surveyor.
← Read full guidance[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_surveyors”]
Clear the property
You may want to hire a house clearance specialist.
You may require an auctioneer to sell possessions.
← Read full guidance[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_house_clearance”]
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_estate_agents”]
6. General administration
Smaller tasks that can run in parallel with the other responsibilites.
[drts-directory-view directory=”probate_dire” name=”chester_mail_redirection”]
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 guidance