What do I need to do when someone dies?

Who has to do what

Several people may be involved after a death. This table shows the main jobs and who usually does them, for a death in England or Wales.

Registering the death

In England and Wales, the medical examiner's office contacts you first to confirm you can register. You must then register the death within 5 days of being contacted.

A relative should register it. If no relative can, it can be done by:

• someone who was there when the person died
• a hospital administrator
• the person arranging the funeral

The registrar will ask for the person's full name and any earlier names, date and place of birth, last address, job, details of any husband, wife or civil partner, and whether they got a State Pension or benefits. Documents such as their birth certificate, passport, driving licence or a Council Tax bill can help.

You get a certificate for burial or cremation (often called the green form). You can also buy death certificates, which prove the death was registered.

Special cases

• A coroner is involved: the step by step guide on GOV.UK explains what to do.
• The death happened abroad: you can register some deaths abroad with the UK authorities, if the death was on or after 1 January 1983.
• On a foreign ship or plane: the death must be registered in the country where the ship or plane is registered.

Telling government and others

The registrar will tell you about Tell Us Once. It reports the death to HMRC, DWP, HM Passport Office, DVLA, the local council and others in one go. You must use it within 28 days of getting the reference number. You still need to tell banks, utility companies, insurers and the person's employer yourself.

Dealing with the estate

The estate is everything the person owned, such as money, property and belongings. Probate is the legal right to deal with it.

• If there is a will: the executors named in it can apply.
• If there is no will: the closest living relative can apply to be the administrator.

You may not need probate if the person only had savings, or owned money or property jointly so it passes straight to the other owner. Do not sell property or make big money decisions until you have probate, if it is needed.

Money you might get

If your partner died, you may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment. You may also get help with funeral costs, or Guardian's Allowance if you are bringing up a child whose parents have died.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Scotland: register the death within 8 days of the death. A relative, someone who was there, an executor or solicitor, or someone who lived with the person (if they died at home) can register. You can use any registration office in Scotland. Scotland has a different process from probate.

Northern Ireland: register within 5 days. A relative usually registers, but others can, such as someone present at the death or the executor. You cannot use Tell Us Once, and probate rules are different.

Related guides

• How do I register a death?
• What is Tell Us Once?
• How do I apply for probate?
• Can I get help with funeral costs?
• Can I get Bereavement Support Payment?

Where this comes from

• What to do when someone dies: step by step (GOV.UK)
• Register a death in England or Wales (GOV.UK)
• Register a death (GOV.UK)
• Tell Us Once (GOV.UK)
• Applying for probate (GOV.UK)
• Register a death in Scotland (mygov.scot)
• Registering a death in Northern Ireland (nidirect)