When someone close to you dies: the first steps

When someone we love dies, it can be hard to think straight. You don’t have to do everything at once. Here are the main steps, one at a time.

Straight away

If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 999. If it was expected (perhaps someone who was very ill at home), call their GP, or the nurse or hospice caring for them. Out of surgery hours, call 111. In a hospital or care home, the staff will guide you.

The medical examiner

The doctor confirms the death, and a medical examiner, a senior doctor who wasn’t involved in the person’s care, checks the cause. Their office will contact you to explain it and answer your questions. This can take a few days.

Registering the death

Once the medical examiner’s office confirms you can, register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You’ll receive a certificate for burial or cremation, often called “the green form”, for the funeral director.

Tell Us Once

When you register, the registrar will explain Tell Us Once, which tells most government organisations in one go. If you’re given a reference number, use it within 28 days. It’s for England, Scotland and Wales.

The funeral

Check whether the person wrote down funeral wishes or had a pre-paid plan. If you get certain benefits, including Pension Credit, you may be able to get help with the cost.

The will and the estate

Look for the will. You may need probate, the legal right to deal with their money and property, before selling anything or making financial plans.

Look after yourself

Grief takes as long as it takes. Cruse Bereavement Support (0808 808 1677) and Samaritans (116 123, any time) are there to listen.

DedSafe members can open “When someone dies” in the menu for a gentle step-by-step guide, with somewhere to tick things off and keep notes.

Checked against GOV.UK in September 2026. Rules can change, so GOV.UK always has the latest.