What to do when someone dies

If someone dies at home unexpectedly, call 999. If the death was expected (for example, after a terminal illness), contact the person's GP or the hospice team.

A doctor must confirm the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This certificate is what you need before you can register the death or make funeral arrangements.

You do not need to make any funeral decisions immediately. Most funeral directors will collect the person at any time of day or night and keep them in their care while you take the time you need.

In England and Wales, deaths must be registered within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You register at the local register office in the district where the person died, not necessarily where they lived.

You will need to bring the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from the doctor, and if possible: the person's NHS medical card, birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, and any driving licence or passport.

The registrar will give you a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the "green form") which the funeral director needs, and copies of the death certificate. Order several certified copies. Banks, insurers and solicitors will each need one.

ⓘ If the death is referred to a coroner, registration may be delayed. The coroner's office will advise you.

You do not need to use the first funeral director you find. It is reasonable to compare two or three before choosing. They expect it.

Things worth asking: Do they offer a simple or direct cremation if cost is a concern? Are they local and family-run or part of a larger group? What is included in their quoted price and what costs extra? Can you visit their premises?

All funeral directors in England should be members of either the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), and should follow their codes of practice.

The funeral director will guide you through the choices: burial or cremation, the type of service, the coffin, flowers, transport, and the type of ceremony you would like (religious, cultural, or non-religious).

If the person left a will, it may include wishes about their funeral. Check this before making arrangements. Note that a will is not legally binding on funeral choices, but most families choose to honour the person's wishes.

If cost is a concern, ask about direct cremation (a simple cremation without a funeral service) or a simple burial. You can hold a separate memorial service later, which gives more flexibility and time.

If the person had a pre-paid funeral plan, contact the plan provider early. They will liaise directly with a funeral director.

Once you have the death certificate, you will need to notify various organisations. The government's "Tell Us Once" service lets you inform most government departments in a single step. Ask the registrar about it when you register.

You will typically also need to contact: the person's bank or building society, any pension providers, life insurance companies, HMRC, the DVLA (to cancel a driving licence), the passport office (to cancel a passport), and any subscription services.

If the person owned property or had savings above £5,000 (approximately), you may need to apply for probate before you can access or distribute their estate. A solicitor can help with this.

Grief has no fixed timeline and no right way to feel. You may feel numb, exhausted, relieved, angry, or nothing at all. Sometimes all of these at once.

Practical tasks can feel overwhelming. Accept help from people who offer it. Write things down. Give yourself permission to rest.

Bereavement support is available free of charge. Cruse Bereavement Care (0808 808 1677) offers one-to-one counselling, group support, and online resources. Your GP can also refer you to bereavement counselling on the NHS.