What do you do immediately when someone dies UK?

Call GP or 999 (if unexpected). Get medical certificate of cause of death from doctor. Register death within 5 days (8 in Scotland). Arrange funeral. Then begin notifying banks, employers, utilities. Take one step at a time — help is available.

Who should I notify when someone dies UK?

Tell Once service notifies many government departments at once. Also notify: banks, pension providers, insurance companies, utilities, council (Council Tax), employer, DVLA, landlord/mortgage provider, subscriptions. Most can be done by phone with death certificate reference.

How long do you have to register a death UK?

England/Wales: within 5 days of death. Scotland: within 8 days. Register at local registry office. You'll receive death certificate (costs £11) and Certificate for Burial/Cremation (green form). Book appointment — can't just walk in at most.

How do I access a deceased person's bank account UK?

You need: Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration), original death certificate, proof of your identity and authority. Small balances (typically under £5,000-15,000) may be released without probate. Each bank has its own process — phone their bereavement line.

Money & Budgeting

What to Do When Someone Dies UK — Complete Checklist

Practical checklist for when someone dies. Immediate steps, who to notify, finances to handle, and support available. A guide through a difficult time.

By PocketWise · 24 March 2026 · 5 min read

Losing someone is overwhelming. This practical guide helps you through the necessary steps, one at a time.

First Steps

Immediately After Death

When Death Occurs	What to Do
At home (expected)	Call GP or out-of-hours service
At home (unexpected)	Call 999
In hospital	Staff guide you through process
In care home	Staff handle immediate steps

First 24-48 Hours

Step	Details
1	Get medical certificate of cause of death
2	Contact funeral director (optional but helpful)
3	Notify immediate family
4	Find will if there is one
5	Secure property if empty

Medical Certificate

Who Issues	When
Doctor	Within days of death
If not seen by doctor recently	Coroner may be involved
Coroner	If unexpected/unknown cause

Registering the Death

Timeline

Location	Registration Deadline
England/Wales	Within 5 days
Scotland	Within 8 days

How to Register

Step	Details
Book appointment	Local registry office
Bring	Medical certificate
Provide	Details about deceased
Receive	Death certificates (pay for extras)
Receive	Green form (burial/cremation)

Death Certificate Costs

Item	Cost
Standard copy	£11
Order several	You’ll need multiple
Recommended	4-5 copies minimum

Who Needs Death Certificate

Organisation	Original or Copy
Banks	Usually certified copy
Pension providers	Certified copy
Insurance	Original or certified
Probate	Original required
Solicitors	Original or certified

Tell Us Once Service

What It Does

One Notification	Updates
DWP (benefits)	Stops/adjusts payments
HMRC	Tax matters
Passport Office	Cancels passport
DVLA	Driving licence
Local council	Council Tax, voting
State Pension	Stops payments

How to Use

Method	Details
Online	Through gov.uk
Phone	Registry gives you number
Information needed	Personal details, NI number
When	After registering death

Funeral Planning

Immediate Decisions

Decision	Options
Burial or cremation	Personal/religious preference
Funeral director	Compare prices
Simple or traditional	Cost varies hugely
Religious elements	Minister/celebrant

Funeral Costs

Type	Typical Cost
Simple cremation	£1,500-£2,500
Traditional cremation	£3,500-£5,000
Traditional burial	£4,000-£6,000+
Direct cremation	£1,000-£1,500
Natural burial	£2,000-£4,000

Paying for Funeral

Option	Details
Estate pays	From deceased’s accounts
Pre-paid plan	If they had one
Funeral expenses payment	If on certain benefits
Family pays	Then reclaim from estate
Payment plans	Some directors offer these

Finances to Handle

Banks and Building Societies

Step	Action
1	Call bereavement line (on website)
2	Provide death certificate reference
3	Small amounts may be released immediately
4	Larger amounts need probate
5	Joint accounts usually continue

Common Bank Bereavement Lines

Bank	Bereavement Support
Most banks	Have dedicated teams
Call	Main number, ask for bereavement
What they need	Death certificate, your ID, authority

Stopping Payments

Priority	Stop/Redirect
Direct debits	Review, cancel unnecessary
Standing orders	Cancel or redirect
Subscriptions	Cancel (gym, streaming, etc.)
Keep	Essential utilities until sorted

Probate

What Is Probate?

Concept	Explanation
Definition	Legal right to deal with estate
When needed	Assets over £5,000-£15,000 (varies by institution)
Who applies	Executor (if will) or administrator (no will)
Grant of Probate	Official document

When Probate Is Needed

Situation	Probate Required?
Property	Usually yes
Large bank balances	Yes
Investments	Usually yes
Small amounts	Often not
Joint assets (survivorship)	No
Life insurance in trust	No

Probate Process

Step	Timeline
Apply online	gov.uk
Pay fee	£300 (estates over £5,000)
Wait	4-8 weeks typically
Receive grant	Then can access assets

Benefits and Entitlements

Bereavement Benefits

Benefit	Who Gets It
Bereavement Support Payment	Surviving spouse/civil partner
Widowed Parent’s Allowance	If children (pre-2017)
Funeral Expenses Payment	If on qualifying benefits

Bereavement Support Payment

Feature	Details
Lump sum	£2,500 or £3,500 (if children)
Monthly	£100 or £350 (if children)
Duration	Up to 18 months
Claim within	21 months of death

Benefits to Stop/Adjust

Benefit	Action
State Pension	Tell Us Once
Pension Credit	Tell Us Once
Housing Benefit	Notify council
Council Tax	Notify council (may get discount)

Property Matters

If It’s Their Home

Situation	Action
Owned outright	Estate inherits
Joint tenants	Survivor inherits
Tenants in common	Their share to estate
Rented	Notify landlord
Mortgaged	Contact lender
Council/social housing	Notify landlord

Practical Steps

Action	When
Secure property	Immediately
Redirect mail	Royal Mail redirection
Clear perishables	Soon
Consider insurance	Keep buildings insurance
Don’t rush clearance	Take your time

Tax Matters

Notify HMRC

Via	Method
Tell Us Once	Department notified
Self-assessment	May need final return
Estate	May owe or be owed tax

Potential Tax Issues

Issue	What Happens
Income tax	Final return may be needed
Inheritance tax	If estate over threshold
Capital gains	On asset sales

Self-Care

You Matter Too

Remember	Be Kind
Take breaks	Paperwork can wait
Accept help	People want to help
Don’t rush	Especially big decisions
Professional help	Grief counselling available

Support Available

Service	For
Cruse Bereavement	0808 808 1677
Citizens Advice	Practical help
Marie Curie	Support services
Age UK	Help for older people
GP	Mental health support

Summary: Timeline Checklist

First Week

Action	Done
Get medical certificate	☐
Register death	☐
Order death certificates (4-5)	☐
Use Tell Us Once	☐
Find will if exists	☐
Contact funeral director	☐

First Month

Action	Done
Arrange funeral	☐
Notify banks	☐
Cancel unnecessary direct debits	☐
Apply for probate (if needed)	☐
Claim bereavement benefits	☐
Redirect mail	☐

First Three Months

Action	Done
Receive probate grant	☐
Access accounts	☐
Settle debts from estate	☐
Begin distributing estate	☐
Handle property	☐

Key Contacts

Service	Number/Website
Tell Us Once	Via registry office
Probate	gov.uk/applying-for-probate
Cruse	0808 808 1677
Citizens Advice	citizensadvice.org.uk

This is a lot to deal with while grieving. Take it one step at a time, ask for help, and know that most things can wait a little while. The practical matters will get done — your wellbeing matters too.

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Sources

MoneyHelper — Everyday money