What to Do When Someone Dies: Complete UK Step-by-Step Checklist (2026)

If they died at home

If the death was expected and the person was under the care of a GP or district nurse, call the GP surgery. The GP (or another doctor from the practice) will come to the house to confirm the death and issue a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD). There is no legal requirement for this to happen immediately, so do not feel you must rush. You can stay with the person for as long as you need to.

If the death was sudden or unexplained, call 999. The police and an ambulance will attend. This is standard procedure and does not mean anyone has done anything wrong. The police will arrange for the body to be taken to the mortuary. A coroner will investigate and decide whether a post-mortem is needed.

If they died in hospital or a care home

The hospital or care home will handle the medical certification. A doctor at the hospital will issue the MCCD. The staff will explain the next steps and ask about your preferred funeral director. You do not have to decide this immediately. You can ask them to keep the person in the hospital mortuary while you make arrangements. There is usually no charge for a few days.

If the coroner is involved

The coroner must be informed if the cause of death is unknown, if the person was not seen by a doctor in the 28 days before death, if the death was violent or unnatural, if it happened during an operation or before recovery from an anaesthetic, or if the death may be linked to an industrial disease. The coroner may order a post-mortem or, in some cases, open an inquest. This can delay the funeral and the registration, but the coroner's office will keep you updated. You can still register the death once the coroner issues the necessary paperwork.

Collect the medical certificate of cause of death

The MCCD is the green form issued by the doctor. You will need it to register the death. If the person died in hospital, you usually collect it from the bereavement office. If they died at home, the GP surgery will have it ready. Since September 2024, all deaths in England and Wales must be reviewed by a medical examiner before the MCCD is issued. This is a free process and usually takes 1 to 2 working days. The medical examiner may contact you to discuss the circumstances of the death. This is normal.

Find important documents

Start gathering key documents when you feel able to. You will need them over the coming weeks and months. The most important ones are: the will (check at home, with the person's solicitor, or search the National Will Register), birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, passport, driving licence, National Insurance number, bank and building society details, mortgage information, pension details, insurance policies (especially life insurance), and any pre-paid funeral plan documents. Our document checklist can help you track these down.

Contact a funeral director (optional at this stage)

There is no legal requirement to use a funeral director. Some families arrange funerals themselves, and low-cost options are available if money is tight. If you do choose a funeral director, you can ask for a written estimate before committing. Prices vary significantly, so it is worth getting at least two quotes. If the person had a pre-paid funeral plan, contact the plan provider as soon as possible.

Types of funeral

The main options are: a traditional funeral with a service (average cost around £4,000 to £5,000 in 2026), a direct cremation with no service (from around £900 to £1,500), a woodland or green burial, or a DIY funeral organised without a funeral director. You should check whether the person left any wishes about their funeral, either in their will, a pre-paid funeral plan, or informally with family. Our funeral options guide explains every type in detail.

Paying for the funeral

If money is a concern, you are not alone. The person arranging the funeral is legally responsible for the cost, but there is help available. You may be able to claim the DWP Funeral Expenses Payment (now called the Funeral Payment within Universal Credit) if you receive certain benefits. Some charities also help with funeral costs. Banks may release money from the deceased's account to pay the funeral director directly, even before probate. Our guide to free and low-cost funeral options covers every available route.

Notify organisations

Beyond Tell Us Once, you will need to contact: all banks and building societies, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, landlords, utility companies (gas, electricity, water), phone and broadband providers, insurance companies (home, car, life, pet, travel), the person's employer, pension providers, subscription services (TV, streaming, gym, magazines), social media companies, and the Royal Mail (to redirect post). Our notification tool has phone numbers and step-by-step instructions for each organisation, and our Notify For Me service can send some of these on your behalf.

Secure the property

If the person lived alone, make sure the property is secure. Inform the home insurance company as soon as possible, because most policies have a condition that the property must be occupied or regularly checked. Many insurers will continue cover for a limited period (usually 30 days) after a death, but you need to tell them. Check the post regularly and redirect it to your address if needed using Royal Mail's redirection service.

Council tax

If the person lived alone, you may be entitled to a council tax exemption. A property left empty after a death is exempt from council tax for up to six months after probate is granted (Class F exemption). If you now live alone in a shared property, you may qualify for the 25% single person discount. Our council tax guide explains the rules in full.

Bank accounts

Joint accounts can usually continue to be used by the surviving holder. Sole accounts will be frozen once the bank is notified. Most banks will release small amounts without probate (the threshold varies by bank, typically between £5,000 and £50,000). See our bank probate thresholds comparison for the full list. To close accounts and release larger sums, you will usually need the grant of probate.

Benefits you may be entitled to

If you have lost a spouse or civil partner, you may be able to claim Bereavement Support Payment (a lump sum of up to £3,500 plus up to 18 monthly payments of £350). You must claim within 21 months of the death. If you have dependent children, the amounts are higher. Our bereavement benefits guide covers every available benefit and how to claim.

Life insurance and pensions

Check whether the person had life insurance (through work, a mortgage, or a standalone policy). Contact the insurer to make a claim. For workplace pensions, contact the employer's HR department. For the state pension, DWP will have been notified through Tell Us Once. Our pensions after death guide explains what happens to different types of pension.

Update your own will and documents

If the person who died was named in your own will (for example, as a beneficiary or executor), you should update it. If they were listed as next of kin on medical forms, update those too. If you had joint finances, you may need to rearrange bank accounts, insurance policies, and direct debits.

The first anniversary and beyond

Grief does not follow a neat timeline. Many people find the second year harder than the first, because the numbness wears off and reality sets in. Be patient with yourself. If specific dates or occasions are difficult, plan ahead so you are not caught off guard. Our first year after loss guide offers a month-by-month outline of what to expect.