What to Do When Someone Dies

The First Hours After a Death

Losing someone you love is one of the most difficult experiences life brings. Knowing what practical steps to take — and in what order — can help reduce the feeling of overwhelm during an incredibly painful time. This guide sets out clearly what happens after a death in the UK and what you need to do.

The immediate steps differ depending on whether the death was expected (at home following a terminal illness, for example) or unexpected (sudden, accidental, or of unknown cause).

If the Death Was Expected

If your loved one was being cared for at home under a GP or hospice team, and the death was anticipated, the process is relatively straightforward:

1. Contact the person's GP surgery or the hospice team to inform them of the death.
2. A doctor must confirm the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). If the GP saw the patient within the last 28 days, they can issue this certificate directly.
3. If the death occurs in a hospital, the ward sister or bereavement office will guide you through next steps.

If the Death Was Unexpected

If the death was sudden, unexpected, or in any way suspicious:

1. Call 999 immediately if you discover the person unresponsive and you are unsure whether they are alive.
2. Do not move the body if the death appears suspicious or accidental.
3. If the death is confirmed by emergency services, the case may be referred to the coroner. This is standard procedure for sudden or unexplained deaths.

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is the document that allows you to register the death. It is issued by the doctor who treated the deceased and states the medical cause of death. Without this certificate (or the coroner's authority to proceed), you cannot legally register the death or instruct a funeral director to proceed with cremation.

If the death is referred to the coroner, they may:

• Issue a certificate allowing registration to proceed without a post-mortem
• Order a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death
• Hold an inquest if the cause of death remains unclear after the post-mortem

If an inquest is required, it can delay the funeral significantly. Your funeral director will guide you through this process.

Contacting a Funeral Director

You do not need to wait until the death is registered before contacting a funeral director. Most families contact a funeral director as soon as practical after the death is confirmed. The funeral director will:

• Collect and transport the deceased into their care
• Provide guidance on the next legal steps
• Advise on coffin and service options
• Liaise with the crematorium, cemetery, or place of worship on your behalf
• Handle the paperwork required for cremation or burial

When choosing a funeral director, look for a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD). NAFD members are bound by a strict Code of Practice and are independently inspected, giving families the assurance that they are dealing with a reputable professional. Find an NAFD funeral director near you.

According to the NAFD, you have the right to receive a clear itemised price list before agreeing to any services. Do not feel pressured to make decisions immediately — a good funeral director will give you time and space to decide.

Registering the Death

In England and Wales, the death must be registered within five days of the date of death (not the date you receive the MCCD). In Scotland, the time limit is eight days. Registration is done at the register office for the area where the person died — not necessarily where they lived.

See our full guide on how to register a death in the UK for step-by-step instructions, what documents to bring, and what certificates you will receive.

Practical Checklist: The First Week

The following checklist covers the key tasks that need to be completed in the first week after a death. Not all of these have strict deadlines, but attending to them promptly will help avoid complications later.

Urgent (First 24–48 Hours)

• Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the doctor
• Contact a funeral director to arrange transfer of the deceased into their care
• Notify close family members and friends
• If the deceased lived alone, secure their property
• If there are pets, arrange their care

Within Five Days

• Register the death at the local register office (required by law within five days in England and Wales)
• Obtain death certificates — you will typically need at least five certified copies for banks, insurers, pension providers, and solicitors
• Begin funeral arrangements with the funeral director (choose date, time, cremation or burial, service type)

Within Two Weeks

• Notify relevant government bodies (DWP, HMRC, DVLA, passport office)
• Use the government's Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple government departments in a single step after registration
• Contact banks and financial institutions to freeze accounts and begin the process of settling the estate
• Check whether the deceased had a will and identify the executor
• Notify the deceased's employer (if applicable) and check entitlement to death in service benefits
• Contact insurers, pension providers, and investment managers
• Cancel subscriptions, standing orders, and direct debits

Tell Us Once: Notifying the Government

The Tell Us Once service allows you to report a death to most government organisations in a single step. It is available after you register the death and covers:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• DVLA (to cancel driving licence and vehicle registration)
• Passport Office
• Local council (to cancel council tax exemptions, housing benefit, etc.)
• Veterans UK

The registrar will give you a unique reference number to use Tell Us Once online or by phone after the death is registered.

If the Deceased Died Abroad

If your loved one died outside the UK, the process is more complex. You will need to liaise with local authorities in the country of death as well as the British Embassy or Consulate. The death must usually be registered both in the country of death (under local law) and with the UK authorities. Repatriating the deceased to the UK requires specific documentation including an embalming certificate and permission from both countries' authorities. A specialist repatriation funeral director can manage this process on your behalf.

Looking After Yourself

Managing practical arrangements while grieving is exhausting. It is important to accept help from family and friends, and to be honest about what you can and cannot manage. Do not feel that you have to make every decision alone or immediately. A good funeral director will guide you through the process at a pace that is right for you.

If you are struggling with grief, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free support via their helpline (0808 808 1677) and local services across the UK. The funeral director may also be able to refer you to local bereavement support.

This guide is provided by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), which represents funeral directing businesses conducting over 80% of all UK funerals. Find a trusted NAFD funeral director near you.