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What to do when someone dies in United Kingdom

When someone dies in the United Kingdom, a doctor confirms the death, tell the registrar, and contact a funeral director.

Some steps differ by region inside the country.

Immediate, First Few Days

  1. Follow the medical certification or investigation process for the nation where the death occurred. England and Wales use medical examiners; Scotland has its own review and procurator fiscal process; Northern Ireland has its own coroner process.
  2. Use the registrar for the nation where the death occurred. England and Wales: normally within five days after the medical examiner confirms registration can proceed. Scotland: within eight days of death where possible. Northern Ireland: normally within five days; investigations may change the process.
  3. Use Tell Us Once if eligible in England, Scotland or Wales. For a Northern Ireland resident, use the Bereavement Service and notify other organisations separately.
  4. Arrange the funeral; check for a prepaid plan, burial plot, or wishes in a will or letter of wishes
  5. Secure the home with appropriate authority, notify the insurer about occupancy, and locate the original signed will. Contact the named executor and use the estate process for the relevant UK nation; seek advice if only a copy is found.

First Two Weeks

  1. Ask banks, insurers and the appropriate estate court which official death-certificate copies they require. Obtain them from the relevant registration service; fees and evidence requirements vary.
  2. Notify banks and building societies; they will freeze or restrict sole accounts until probate or small-estate procedures apply
  3. Contact life insurers, funeral plan providers, employers (for death in service), and pension schemes with the death certificate
  4. Tell landlords, lenders, utilities and the insurer about the death and occupancy. Contact the council about council tax, or Northern Ireland Land & Property Services about domestic rates; confirm eligibility for relief.
  5. If a coroner or procurator fiscal is involved, follow their instructions on registration and release of the body before confirming funeral arrangements.

Probate and Estate Administration

  1. List estate assets and ask the asset holders what authority they require. Choose probate or administration in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, or confirmation in Scotland, as appropriate.
  2. Use the legal process for the relevant nation: HMCTS in England and Wales, the sheriff court for Scottish confirmation, or the Northern Ireland Probate Office. Check tax and filing requirements before applying.
  3. Collect assets, pay debts and taxes, keep estate accounts, and distribute to beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy rules
  4. Notify HMRC for Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax on the estate; close or transfer accounts when the grant is available
  5. Use the correct land register: HM Land Registry in England and Wales, Registers of Scotland, or Land & Property Services in Northern Ireland. Vehicle and driving-licence notifications may use different agencies.

Ongoing

  1. Arrange authorised mail redirection and contact providers about cancellation or transfer. Confirm which bodies were actually notified by Tell Us Once or the Northern Ireland Bereavement Service.
  2. Keep beneficiaries informed and seek professional help if disputes arise
  3. Take care of your own health, grief has physical effects; use helplines and GP support

Finding their documents

  1. Emergency contact list
  2. Advance healthcare wishes
  3. Healthcare decision-making documents
  4. Organ donation
  5. Device access
  6. Password manager
  7. Two factor recovery
  8. Will and executor details
  9. Financial power of attorney
  10. Healthcare appointment or wishes
  11. Marriage civil partnership
  12. Letter of wishes
  13. Birth certificates
  14. Passport
  15. Driving licence
  16. National Insurance number
  17. Bank accounts
  18. ISAs and savings
  19. Workplace private pension
  20. State pension
  21. HMRC tax records
  22. Debit orders
  23. Life insurance
  24. Death in service
  25. Critical illness income
  26. Home contents
  27. Private medical
  28. Pet insurance
  29. Property title and register
  30. Vehicle V5C logbook
  31. Council tax or domestic rates
  32. Mortgage deeds
  33. Business ownership
  34. Digital legacy

This is practical information, not legal, medical, or financial advice.

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