What to do when someone dies

What to Do in the First Few Hours After a Death

What you need to do first depends on where the person died. The process is slightly different in each situation, but in every case a doctor will need to certify the cause of death before you can move forward.

If Someone Dies at Home

What happens next depends on whether the death was expected or not. In both cases, a doctor will need to attend before the person can be moved.

If the Death Was Expected

If the death was expected, for example after a terminal illness or under hospice care, call their GP surgery. If it happens outside of GP hours (evenings, weekends, or bank holidays), call 111, the NHS non-emergency number, and they will arrange for an out-of-hours doctor to attend. The doctor will come to confirm the death and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). You don't need to call 999.

There is no time limit on how quickly this needs to happen. The person who has died can stay at home until the funeral director collects them, and this can be hours or even a day or two. If there are any religious or cultural practices you'd like to observe, this is the time to do so.

You do not need to do anything to prepare the body. If you'd like to, you can open a window, place a clean sheet over them, or sit with them. There is no right or wrong here.

If the Death Was Unexpected

If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 999 immediately. The ambulance service will tell you what to do, including whether to attempt CPR. If the person has clearly died, they will send the police. This is standard procedure for any unexplained death, and it does not mean anything is wrong.

The police may ask you some questions about the circumstances. The coroner will usually be involved, and in some cases the person who has died will need to be taken to a mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The coroner's office will keep you informed and let you know when the body can be released to a funeral director.

You can read our guide on what to do when someone dies at home for more detail on what to expect in both situations.

If Someone Dies in Hospital

The hospital staff will handle the immediate steps. A doctor will confirm the death and the hospital will usually issue the MCCD. They will let you know when you can visit, and the person who has died will be kept in the hospital mortuary until a funeral director collects them.

The hospital bereavement office can help with paperwork and answer questions about the next steps. Ask the ward staff to put you in touch with them.

If Someone Dies in a Care Home

The care home will contact the GP or an out-of-hours doctor to confirm the death and issue the MCCD. They will also let you know what happens next regarding collecting personal belongings and arranging for a funeral director.

If the person was under hospice care, the hospice team may already be involved and can guide you through the process.

If Someone Dies Abroad

Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate. They can help with registering the death locally, arranging repatriation of the body, and getting a UK death certificate if needed. You may also need to contact your travel insurance provider.

Registering the Death and Arranging the Funeral

Once a doctor has certified the cause of death, the next steps are registering the death and making funeral arrangements. These can happen in parallel, so you don't need to wait for one to finish before starting the other.

How to Register a Death

You'll need to register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). Contact your local register office to book an appointment. In most areas you can do this by phone or online. For a detailed walkthrough, read our guide on how to register a death in the UK.

The death is usually registered by a close relative, such as a spouse, child, or parent of the person who has died. It can also be done by someone who was present at the death, or the person arranging the funeral.

You will need to bring:

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
• The birth certificate of the person who has died (if available)
• Their NHS medical card (if available)
• Their marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of their address

After registering, you'll receive a Death Certificate and a green certificate (known as a Certificate for Burial or Cremation). It's worth ordering at least 3 to 4 certified copies of the Death Certificate, as banks, pension providers, and insurers will each need one and not all accept photocopies.

The easiest time to order copies is at the registration appointment. If you need more later, you can order them online. The cost depends on where in the UK the death was registered:

• England and Wales: £12.50 per copy, ordered through the General Register Office
• Scotland: £12 for the first copy, £10 for each additional copy, ordered through National Records of Scotland
• Northern Ireland: £8 per copy if ordered at the time of registration, or £15 for the first copy and £8 for each additional copy if ordered later through GRONI

Arranging the Funeral

Contact a funeral director when you're ready. They'll guide you through the arrangements, including collecting the person who has died, advising on burial or cremation, and managing the details of the service. You can read our funeral planning checklist for a step-by-step breakdown.

You'll need to decide on burial or cremation, the type of service, and where it will be held. If the person who has died left wishes in their will or in a pre-paid funeral plan, the funeral director can help you follow those.

If cost is a concern, ask for a written price list before committing. You can compare prices between funeral directors. Direct cremation, where there is no attended service, is often the most affordable option.

Help With Funeral Costs

There are several ways to cover funeral costs:

• The person's estate can be used to pay for the funeral, and funeral costs take priority over most other debts
• Many banks will release funds from the person's account against a funeral director's invoice, even before probate
• A life insurance policy or pension scheme may include a lump sum payment on death
• If you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may be able to apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government
• If there is no money available and no one is able to pay, the local council can arrange a public health funeral at no cost to you

Who to Notify When Someone Dies

Once the death is registered, you'll need to let a number of organisations know. This can feel like a lot, but you don't have to do it all at once.

Government Departments

The Tell Us Once service lets you notify many government departments in a single step, including HMRC, the DVLA, the Passport Office, and the Department for Work and Pensions. You'll usually be offered this when you register the death at the register office.

Northern Ireland: Tell Us Once is not available in Northern Ireland. You can use the Bereavement Service (0800 085 2463) instead.

Financial Organisations

• Banks and building societies (the Death Notification Service lets you notify multiple banks at once)
• Pension providers (workplace and private)
• Insurance companies (life, home, car)
• Mortgage provider or landlord

Other Organisations

• Their employer or trade union
• GP, dentist, and other healthcare providers
• Utility providers (gas, electricity, water, broadband)
• Council tax department (you may be eligible for a discount or exemption on an empty property)
• Phone and TV subscription services
• Any charities or organisations they supported

Practical Things to Do Early On

Alongside notifying organisations, there are some practical things worth doing early on to avoid complications later.

• Return the person's driving licence to the DVLA and their passport to HM Passport Office (Tell Us Once can handle this for you)
• Return any unused medication to a pharmacy. Never dispose of it at home
• Take meter readings for gas, electricity, and water so final bills are accurate
• If the person's home will be empty, let the home insurer know, as some policies have conditions on unoccupied properties
• Consider setting up a Royal Mail redirection so their post comes to you

If the person held a Lasting Power of Attorney, this ends automatically on death. If you were their attorney, you should notify the Office of the Public Guardian.

Dealing With the Estate and Probate

After the funeral and immediate notifications are taken care of, there are legal and financial matters to work through. This can take time, sometimes several months, so there is no need to rush.

Wills and Intestacy

If the person who has died left a will, the executor named in it is responsible for administering the estate. If there's no will, the rules of intestacy determine who inherits.

Applying for Probate

Depending on the size and complexity of the estate, you may need to apply forprobate, which is the legal right to deal with their assets. Not every estate needs probate. Banks and building societies can tell you whether they require it to release funds.

Dealing with an estate involves gathering all assets and debts, paying any inheritance tax that is due, and distributing what remains according to the will or the rules of intestacy. If the estate is complex, it can help to speak to a solicitor or a probate specialist.

Bereavement Benefits You May Be Entitled To

If your spouse or civil partner has died, you may be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment, a tax-free payment from the government. You need to claim within 21 months of the death.

If you're on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may also be able to apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment to help cover funeral costs. You can check what you're entitled to on GOV.UK.

Grief Support and Looking After Yourself

When you're focused on everything that needs to happen, it's easy to put your own feelings aside. Grief doesn't follow a schedule, and there's no right way to feel. Some days you might be fine, and others you might not.

If you need someone to talk to, these services are free and confidential:

• Cruse Bereavement Support: call 0808 808 1677 or use their webchat
• Samaritans: call 116 123, any time of day or night

You can also read our guide on what to do after a funeral for help with the weeks and months ahead.