We know this is a difficult time. This checklist covers everything you need to do, step by step. You can work through it at your own pace — there is no rush.
When someone dies, a doctor needs to issue a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD). If the death was expected, the GP or hospital doctor who was treating them will usually do this. If the death was sudden or unexplained, the coroner may need to be involved.
Same day if the death was expected
Read full guideA funeral director can guide you through the practical arrangements and take care of bringing the person into their care. You do not need to make all the decisions straight away.
A phone call takes 10-15 minutes
Take your time. There is no rush to make decisions about the funeral itself.
Read full guideYou must register the death at a register office within 5 days in England and Wales (8 days in Scotland). You will need the medical certificate and some details about the person who died.
About 30 minutes at the register office
This can feel very final. Some people find it helpful to bring someone with them for support.
Read full guideEnter your email to save where you are. We will send gentle reminders if you have not visited for a while — nothing more.
We respect your privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report the death to most government departments in a single phone call or online session. The registrar will give you a reference number.
15-20 minutes online or by phone
Read full guideContact the person's bank to let them know. Most banks have a dedicated bereavement team. They will freeze the account and guide you through accessing funds for funeral costs.
30 minutes per bank
Some families use a notification service to contact multiple organisations at once, rather than making each call separately
Learn about notification servicesLook for a will at the person's home, with their solicitor, or at their bank. The will names the executor — the person responsible for carrying out their wishes.
Varies — may take a few days to locate
Reading a will can be emotional. There is no rush to do this on the same day.
Read full guideWork with your funeral director to plan the service. They will guide you through the options — there is no single right way to do this.
1-2 meetings with the funeral director
Planning a funeral can be both difficult and meaningful. Take the time you need.
Read full guideIf the person was working, contact their employer. If they were retired, contact their pension provider. There may be final salary payments or death-in-service benefits.
30 minutes per provider
Read full guideContact gas, electricity, water, broadband, phone, and TV providers to close or transfer accounts. Keep services running if the property is not being vacated immediately.
15-20 minutes per provider
A notification service can contact many of these organisations for you in one go
Learn about notification servicesSet up a Royal Mail redirection so the person's post comes to you. This helps you catch any accounts or correspondence you might otherwise miss.
10 minutes online
Read full guideCheck whether the person had a life insurance policy. Payouts can help cover funeral costs, mortgage payments, or other immediate expenses.
30 minutes per claim
Read full guideDecide what to do with the person's social media profiles and online accounts. Most platforms have a process for memorialising or closing an account.
Varies — can be done over several weeks
Seeing the person's online presence can be emotional. There is no deadline for this — do it when you feel ready.
Read full guideYou may be entitled to bereavement benefits, help with funeral costs, or a survivor's pension. These are often overlooked.
30-45 minutes for a phone claim
Read full guideBefore you can apply for probate (if needed), you need to work out what the person owned and what they owed. This is called valuing the estate.
Several hours over a few weeks
Read full guideNot every estate needs probate. It depends on what the person owned and how it was held. A quick check can tell you where you stand.
1 minute for our free check
If you need probate, a specialist like Sail Probate can handle the process for you. They offer a free initial consultation with no obligation
Check if you need probate (free, 1 minute)If probate is needed, you can apply online or by post. The process takes around 4-8 weeks once submitted.
A few hours to prepare; 4-8 weeks for the grant
If probate feels overwhelming, a specialist can take care of the entire process. Sail Probate offers a free, no-obligation initial conversation
Speak to a probate specialist (free)Once you have the legal authority, pay any debts from the estate and distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will (or according to intestacy rules).
Several months for most estates
This final stage can bring up feelings about the person and their wishes. It is normal for this to take time.
Read full guideDealing with a bereavement is exhausting — practically and emotionally. Make sure you are getting the support you need.
You have been managing a huge amount. Be kind to yourself.
Read full guideYou have been managing a huge amount. Remember that there is no deadline for grief, and support is available whenever you need it.
While you're here...
Contacting the funeral director is step one. But there are 4 other things you'll need to deal with — and most people don't know about them until it's too late.
We'll send you a simple checklist so nothing gets missed.
One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
We've sent the checklist to .
