What to Do When Someone Dies in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

October 2025

Losing someone close to you can feel overwhelming. Alongside the emotional impact, there’s a practical side that few of us are ever truly prepared for. Knowing what to do, and in what order, can make those first few days and weeks a little easier.

1. Get a medical certificate of cause of death

If the person died at home, contact their GP or the NHS 999 helpline. If they died in hospital or a care home, staff will arrange the medical certificate for you.
This certificate is not the death certificate, it’s the document you’ll need in order to register the death. In some cases, the coroner may need to be informed first, which can delay this step slightly, especially if the death was sudden or unexpected.

2. Register the death

A relative must register the death within five days of being contacted by the medical examiner’s office in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or within eight days in Scotland. If a relative cannot register the death, you can do it if you:

were there at the time of death
are an administrator from the hospital (if the person died in hospital)
are in charge of making funeral arrangements

You can find a local register office to report the death by using this tool https://www.gov.uk/register-offices While you can contact any register office, it will be quicker if you use the one in the area where the person died.

You’ll need to tell the registrar:

the person’s full name at the time of death
any names previously used, eg maiden name
the person’s date and place of birth
their last address
their occupation
the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving or late spouse or civil partner
whether they were getting a State Pension or any other benefits

The register office may also want to see the person’s:

birth certificate
marriage or civil partnership certificate
NHS medical card

Once registered, you’ll receive the official death certificate (it’s wise to order several copies as many organisations will require an original). You’ll also receive a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the “green form”) which you’ll pass to the funeral director.

3. Begin arranging the funeral

Once you have the green form from the registrar, you can begin funeral arrangements.

At The Farewell Guide, you can search for trusted, local funeral directors by postcode and see the services they offer and funeral director charges based on their Standardised Price List (please note this does not include disbursements and additional elements which the funeral director will discuss with you).

You can also find resources to help you decide on the style of funeral that best reflects your loved one’s life. You can also use The Farewell Guide to record your own wishes in advance, ensuring your family will have one less worry when the time comes.

4. Use the Tell Us Once service

This free government service helps you notify multiple departments at once, saving you the painful process of repeating the same information over and over.
You can use it online or over the phone. The registrar will give you a unique reference number and explain how to access the service.

Through Tell Us Once, you can inform:

HM Revenue and Customs (for tax)
The Department for Work and Pensions (for pensions and benefits)
The Passport Office
The DVLA (to cancel a driving licence)
The local council (for council tax, Blue Badge, electoral register)

It’s an invaluable tool that helps ensure everything is handled properly and prevents future administrative problems, such as overpaid benefits or post addressed to the deceased.

5. Contact other organisations

Not every organisation is covered by Tell Us Once, so you’ll still need to get in touch with others directly. Here’s a checklist to help guide you.

Financial:

Banks and building societies
Credit card providers and loan companies
Mortgage lender
Insurance companies (life, home, car, travel, pet)
Pension providers and private pension schemes

Utilities and services:

Gas, electricity, water, and broadband suppliers
Mobile and landline phone providers
TV licence
Subscription services (magazines, streaming platforms, memberships)

Housing and property:

Landlord or housing association
Local council housing department
Estate agent or solicitor (if selling or transferring property)

Employment and education:

Employer or HR department (for final pay, pensions, or death-in-service benefits)
Schools, colleges, or universities if relevant

Health and care services:

GP and dentist
Hospital outpatient clinics
Optician or private healthcare providers
Care agencies or carers

Other personal matters:

Clubs, societies, or charities the person was part of
Social media accounts (these can be memorialised or deleted)
Online accounts and email addresses

Many banks and companies now have dedicated bereavement teams. Most will ask for a copy of the death certificate and some proof of your authority to act (such as being the executor or next of kin).

6. Deal with the estate

If the deceased left a will, the named executor is responsible for managing the estate. This involves collecting assets, settling debts, and distributing what’s left according to the will.
If there’s no will, the estate is handled under the rules of intestacy, which may require applying for letters of administration.

You can handle probate yourself or appoint a solicitor or probate specialist to manage it for you.

7. Look after yourself

Amid all the forms and phone calls, it’s easy to overlook your own wellbeing. Grief takes time, and everyone experiences it differently. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends, family, or support organisations such as:

Cruse Bereavement Support: 0808 808 1677
The Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours)
At a Loss: www.ataloss.org

Taking small, steady steps through the practicalities can bring a sense of control when everything else feels uncertain.

8. Planning ahead

Many people find that going through this process encourages them to plan for the future. Setting out your own wishes can make things easier for your loved ones. Recording your funeral preferences, choice of charity donations, or even the music you’d like played can be a meaningful act of care.

The Farewell Guide makes that process simple. Whether you’re arranging a funeral today or thinking about tomorrow, you can use the Guide to record your wishes, explore options, and find professional support.