When someone dies: checklist

Take it one step at a time. Tick things off as you go — your progress is saved on this device only.

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In the first few hours

Get the death confirmed
Expected death at home: call the GP or hospice (out of hours: NHS 111 in England and Wales, NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland, GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland). Unexpected: call 999. In hospital, staff will do this.

Tell close family and friends
Ask someone to help you share the news.

Look for a will or funeral wishes
Check for a funeral plan, burial rights or religious requirements.

Contact a funeral director (when you’re ready)
They can collect the person at any time, day or night. Compare two or three price lists. More →

In the first few days

Medical certificate / medical examiner
England & Wales: the medical examiner’s office will call you. Scotland & NI: the doctor sends the certificate to the registrar.

Register the death
England & Wales: within 5 days of the medical examiner’s go-ahead. Scotland: within 8 days. NI: within 5 days. More →

Buy several certified copies of the death certificate
Banks and insurers often need originals. More →

Give the burial/cremation certificate to your funeral director
The “green form” (E&W), Form 14 (Scotland) or GRO21 (NI).

Use Tell Us Once (England, Scotland & Wales)
Tells HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office and your council in one go. Not available in Northern Ireland. More →

Arranging the funeral

Decide on burial, cremation or direct cremation More →

Choose a date, venue and officiant
Religious leader, celebrant or family member.

Check how the funeral will be paid for
Banks can often pay the funeral invoice from the person’s account. You may qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment. More →

Publish a death notice or share details
Online, in a newspaper, or via social media.

Plan readings, music and a eulogy More →

Decide on flowers or charity donations

Arrange a wake or gathering More →

After the funeral

Contact banks, building societies and pension providers

Tell the landlord, utilities, insurers and the Royal Mail
Consider the Bereavement Register and Mail Preference Service to reduce unwanted post.

Check whether you need probate (or confirmation in Scotland) More →

Deal with email, phone and social media accounts
Many platforms offer memorialisation.

Decide whether to change your own name (widowed partners)
There’s no need to change anything — and no deadline if you’d like to go back to a previous surname. More →

When you’re ready, review your own will and funeral wishes
Many people update their will after a bereavement. More →

Look after yourself
Free support: Cruse 0808 808 1677, Samaritans 116 123. More →

This checklist is general guidance. Read the full guide.