What to do when someone dies
Step-by-step guide with support and guidance to help you through.
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Step-by-step guidance
When someone close to you dies, there’s a lot that needs to be done — often at a time when you feel least able to face it.
Our checklist guides you through each step, helping you make the right decisions so you get the right services without paying more than you should.
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See the guidance within the checklist below, or read our full guide to making the right choices.
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1. Immediate steps
Circumstances of death.
What happens when someone dies depends on the circumstances of their death.
- Where did they die?
- Was the death expected or unexpected?
The death must be registered within five days, but who is involved and what paperwork is required depends on these questions.
If the death was expected.
Verification of death
Carried out by a healthcare professional, who will complete a clinical ‘Confirmation of Fact of Death’ form and leave with the deceased.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death issued
Once verified, a doctor completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), required to formally register the death.
Medical examiner review
An independent medical examiner reviews and confirms the cause of death and speak with relatives to answer questions or concerns.
Registrar informed
Once the Medical Examiner has confirmed the MCCD, the registrar is informed automatically and you have five days to register the death.
If the death was unexpected.
Contact emergency services immediately on 999
Emergency services will attend and confirm whether the person has died. Because the death is unexpected, the police must be informed.
The death is referred to the coroner
Attending practitioner or police decide on whether to refer to the coroner.
Coroner decides on next steps
The coroner decides whether an investigation into the cause of death is required.
Registrar informed
The death cannot be formally registered while an inquest is ongoing, however the coroner will issue an interim Certificate of Death.
Notify the family
Family and Next of Kin
Ensure close family members, partners, or named executors are informed right away.
Secure the property
Make it safe.
Securing a property after someone dies is a crucial first step for the executor or administrator.
2. Register the death
Book an appointment at the registrar
The registrar receives the MCCD from the relevant medical practitioner, and you then have five days to register the death.
Notify the Tell Us Once service
Tell Us Once is a UK government service that lets you report a death to most central and local government departments in a single go.
Inform their service providers
You will need the death certificate from the registrar to carry out the following important tasks.
Notify banks
Notify each bank of the death. They will freeze accounts and can pay the funeral director directly.
Notify pension providers
State pensions are held with the Department of Work and Pensions, Private pension providers will need contacting separately.
Notify Life Insurance companies
Notify to claim death benefits and stop premiums. Each provider will need a death certificate.
Home and contents insurer
Notify of the death and confirm ongoing cover, especially if the property is now unoccupied.
Notify the care home
If death occurred in a care home, liaise promptly — fees continue until the person and belongings are removed.
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.
Appoint a funeral director
The funeral director will arrange collection. Executor is legally responsible. Get Coroner clearance first if the death was referred.
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
4. Estate administration
All the required steps for dealing with the will, probate, and distribution of their estate.
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.
Find the will
Find the will and locate the executor
Short sentence on this. This could be with their solicitor, or HM Probate registry, or NWR.
Notify HMRC
Submit the final tax return and notify of the death. 0300 200 3300. IHT must be paid before probate is granted.
Apply for Grant of Probate
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.
Save money on probate
In many cases you can save money by carrying out tasks yourself, ir hiring the best value practitioners.
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Administer and distribute the estate
Administer and distribute the estate
Collect all assets, settle debts, then distribute to beneficiaries named in the will. This is the responsibility of the executer.
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.
Property valuation
Get a probate valuation of any property
Required for Inheritance Tax purposes. Must be completed before probate is granted. You may require a professional surveyor.
Clear the property
If required, you may want to hire a house clearance specialist, and you may require an auctioneer to sell possessions.
Sell the property
Property cannot normally be sold until probate is granted, but marketing can begin earlier. You will need an estate agent.
6. General administration
Smaller tasks that can run in parallel with the other responsibilites.
Redirect mail
Stop unwanted mail. Contact Royal Mail, set up redirect.
Cancel subscriptions
Close all accounts, subscriptions and memberships
Close online accounts
You can use digital estate services to close all online social media or email accounts. You might need password recovery.