What to Do When Someone Dies: A Complete Checklist

When someone close to you dies, it can be difficult to think clearly. There are practical things that need to be done, often within tight deadlines, at a time when you are grieving. This checklist is designed to guide you through the process step by step, so you know what to do and when.

1. Get a medical certificate

A doctor must confirm the death and issue a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD). If the person died in hospital, the hospital doctor will usually do this. If they died at home, contact their GP. If the death was sudden, unexpected, or the cause is unknown, it may be referred to the coroner, which can delay the certificate.

2. Register the death

You must register the death within five days at the local register office in the area where the person died. You will need the medical certificate and some basic information about the deceased — their full name, date of birth, address, and occupation. The registrar will give you a certified copy of the death certificate (you will need several copies for banks, insurers, and other organisations) and a "green form" — the certificate for burial or cremation, which the funeral director will need.

3. Use the Tell Us Once service

The registrar will usually offer you access to the Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple government departments in one go — including HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Passport Office, DVLA, and the local council. This saves you having to contact each one separately and is highly recommended.

4. Arrange the funeral

You will need to choose a funeral director and decide on the type of service — burial or cremation, religious or non-religious. The funeral cannot take place until the death has been registered and you have the green form. For more detailed guidance, see our guide on arranging a funeral.

5. Find the will

Check at the deceased person's home, with their solicitor, or with a will storage service. The will names the executors — the people responsible for managing the estate. If you cannot find a will, the estate will be dealt with under the rules of intestacy.

6. Apply for probate (if needed)

Probate is the legal process of confirming the executors' authority to deal with the estate. Not every estate needs probate — for example, small estates or assets held jointly may not require it. To find out whether probate is needed, see our guides on whether you need probate and how to apply for probate.

7. Notify banks, insurers, and other organisations

You will need to contact the deceased person's bank, building society, insurance companies, pension providers, utility companies, and employer (if applicable). Most organisations have a bereavement team that can help. Our probate directory includes contact details for many of the organisations you may need to notify.

8. Value the estate

Before you can apply for probate or calculate any inheritance tax, you need to work out the total value of the estate. This includes property, savings, investments, vehicles, and personal possessions, minus any debts such as mortgages, loans, or outstanding bills.

9. Pay any inheritance tax due

If the estate is above the inheritance tax threshold, tax must normally be paid within six months of the date of death. You can find a detailed breakdown of the thresholds, rates, and exemptions in our inheritance tax guide. In some cases, tax on property can be paid in instalments over ten years.

10. Distribute the estate

Once probate has been granted and all debts, taxes, and expenses have been paid, the executors can distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will. If there is no will, the estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules.

11. Prepare estate accounts

The executors should prepare a record of everything that came into and went out of the estate — all the assets, debts, taxes, expenses, and distributions. This is known as the estate accounts. For guidance, see our page on preparing estate accounts.

12. Deal with personal belongings

Sorting through personal belongings can be one of the most emotional parts of the process. There is no legal deadline for this, so take the time you need. Consider what to keep, donate, sell, or pass on to family and friends.

Support and financial help

Dealing with a death is emotionally and practically demanding. There is help available:

• Cruse Bereavement Support (0808 808 1677) offers free bereavement counselling and support.
• Bereavement Support Payment: If your spouse or civil partner has died, you may be entitled to a lump sum payment and monthly instalments from the DWP.
• Funeral Expenses Payment: If you are on a low income and responsible for funeral costs, you may be able to claim help from the Social Fund.

Why making a will matters

If you are reading this guide because you have just lost someone, you may now understand first-hand how much easier a clear will makes this whole process. A well-drafted will names executors, sets out exactly who should inherit what, and reduces the scope for confusion, delays, and disputes.

If you have not yet made your own will, now is a good time to think about it. It is one of the kindest things you can do for the people who will one day have to manage your affairs. Our guide on whether you need a will is a good place to start, and you can find out about the cost of making a will too.