What to do after a death

• Immediate (hours): confirmation of death by a professional and guidance on next steps.
• Days 1–3: choose a funeral director (or organise privately), begin funeral planning, gather key documents, secure property.
• Usually within 5 days (England & Wales): register the death. Scotland is often within 8 days. Northern Ireland has its own rules; your local registrar will advise.
• Days 2–10: Tell Us Once (where available), notify employer, pensions/insurers, prioritise essential bills and fraud prevention.
• Weeks onward: estate administration: executor/administrator tasks, probate (if needed), debts, taxes, and distribution (see legal page).

• You feel unable to stay safe, or you’re thinking about harming yourself (call 999 or Samaritans 116 123).
• You can’t sleep for 3+ nights and panic is escalating.
• You feel frequently detached/unreal, confused, or you’re not coping day-to-day.
• You’re using alcohol/drugs more than usual to numb things and it’s increasing quickly.
• You’re seeing intrusive images of the death that won’t stop or you feel “stuck” in the moment.

• At home (expected death): call the GP / out-of-hours service or hospice team. They’ll advise what happens next and when a clinician can attend.
• At home (unexpected or unclear): call 999. Police and medical services may attend, and the death may be referred to the coroner.
• In hospital: the bereavement office (or ward team) will guide you, including paperwork and collecting belongings.
• In a care home: staff will contact the relevant clinician and explain next steps and paperwork.

• Secure the home: lock doors/windows, gather keys, secure valuables, and reduce access to the property (keep visitors to a minimum if you can).
• Pets and dependants: arrange immediate care (food/water first, then who can stay overnight).
• Medication safety: secure medications, especially controlled items.
• Choose one communicator: ask one person to handle family updates and messages so you don’t repeat the news constantly.
• Write down basics: time/date, who attended (GP/paramedics/police), and any instructions given. Tiredness makes details slip.

If you have capacity, gather what’s visible (no digging required)

• Passport, driving licence, NHS number (if known), benefit letters, pension letters, insurance documents, recent bills, bank/building society details, and any paperwork left out.
• The person’s phone (often needed for two-factor codes) and any notes about passwords.

In the UK, a doctor usually completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) if the cause is known and the death is not considered suspicious. In some situations, the death is referred to the coroner (England & Wales). Similar roles exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• Coroner involvement is more likely if the death was unexpected, the cause is unclear, there was an accident or injury, there are concerns about care, or the person wasn’t recently seen by a doctor.
• If the coroner investigates, registration can be delayed. You may be given interim paperwork so you can proceed with some arrangements.
• A post-mortem or inquest is not automatic for every case — it depends on circumstances.

Once the MCCD is completed (or the coroner allows it), you register the death with the local register office. Registration rules differ across the UK, but the registrar will tell you exactly what they need and what you’ll receive.

• Prepare details: full name (and any previous names), date of birth, address, occupation, and information about a spouse/civil partner.
• Ask for multiple certified copies of the death certificate — banks and insurers often require them.
• The registrar will issue what’s needed for burial or cremation (the exact document varies by nation and situation).

• Core documents: death certificate (certified copies), any MCCD reference or coroner contact details (if applicable).
• Identity details: passport/driving licence; National Insurance number (if known).
• Money & benefits: bank/building society details, credit cards, benefit letters, pension letters, insurance policies.
• Home & property: tenancy/mortgage details, recent utility/council tax bills, home insurance documents.
• Family status: marriage/civil partnership certificate (if relevant), names/addresses of close relatives (for forms).

Many areas offer Tell Us Once, which can notify multiple government departments in one go (availability varies). Ask the registrar whether you can use it and what you’ll need.

• Secure mail: collect post daily and ensure the letterbox is secure. Consider mail redirection when you’re ready.
• Empty home risk: check home insurance requirements for unoccupied property. Some policies require notification if the home will be empty beyond a certain period.
• Be scam-aware: if someone pressures you to pay “fees” urgently or asks for sensitive documents unexpectedly, pause and verify independently using official contact routes.
• Preserve digital access: keep the phone and email accessible if possible. Many accounts rely on text codes (2FA).
• Don’t rush closures: avoid cancelling the phone plan or closing key accounts in week one if it might block access to important services and authentication.

• Don’t cancel the person’s phone/SIM immediately if it may be needed for account access or security codes.
• Don’t pay unexpected invoices or “fees” without verifying the sender independently.
• Don’t post sensitive details publicly before close family have been told (and before you’re ready).
• Don’t sign anything under pressure — take a photo, take a breath, and get a second opinion where possible.
• Don’t try to complete the whole estate in week one. Focus on safeguarding, paperwork, and essential notifications.

You can use a funeral director or arrange the funeral yourself. If there’s a will, it may include wishes — but families often adjust plans based on what is practical and meaningful.

• Decide whether the funeral will be burial or cremation.
• Consider a religious service, a non-religious ceremony, or a blend.
• Ask for a written quote and clarify what’s included vs third-party costs (venue, flowers, notices, music, catering).
• If cost is a concern, ask about a simple funeral option and what choices have the biggest impact on price (often cars, venues, printed materials, add-ons).
• If the property will be empty or you’re travelling, consider practical timing: keys, access, and who can manage post and security.

• Preserve access: keep the phone and email safe and accessible if you can. If possible, keep devices charged and stored securely.
• Two-factor codes (2FA): many services send codes to the phone number or email. Cancelling the SIM can lock you out.
• Photos and files: back up important photos/documents when you have capacity. Even one folder (IDs, bills, insurance, account letters) helps.
• Social media: there is no rush. Consider memorialisation options later if helpful.

• Locate any will (and contact the solicitor if you know who holds it).
• Secure the home: lock doors/windows, check post, and consider insurance requirements for an empty property.
• Gather key documents: passport, driving licence, bank details, pension info, property papers, and any written notes about accounts.
• Keep receipts for essential expenses you pay and write down why each payment was necessary.
• If there are immediate bills (rent/mortgage, utilities), prioritise stability first — then tackle non-urgent admin.