Practical guidance for the admin after a death
Clear, calm explainers for the first steps families often face: registration, Tell Us Once, banks, bills, probate and getting organised without missing important tasks.
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Use these guides alongside official sources such as GOV.UK, your local registrar, and qualified legal or financial advice where needed.
What to Do After a Death in the UK
A step-by-step overview of the early practical tasks, from registering the death to Tell Us Once, banks, bills and probate basics.
RegistrationHow to Register a Death in the UK
Who can register, where to book, what information you may need, and what documents are issued afterwards.
GovernmentTell Us Once: What It Covers
How the service works, who can use it, what information to prepare, and which organisations still need separate contact.
ProbateProbate Basics in the UK
A plain-English introduction to when probate may be needed, what executors do, and what to check before applying.
ChecklistFree Bereavement Checklist
A browser-based checklist for the main tasks, with progress saved locally on your device.
Digital packThe First Steps Pack
Get the full printable guide, progress tracker, document prompts and organised next-step flow.
First 48 hoursWhat to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Death
A calm early checklist for the first calls, documents, property checks and tasks that can wait.
Example scenarioWhen a Parent Dies in the UK
An anonymous scenario showing how to organise papers, calls and estate questions without rushing.
BillsWhat Happens to Bills When Someone Dies?
How to handle utilities, council tax, subscriptions, insurance and direct debits after a death.
BanksNotifying Banks After a Death in the UK
What banks may ask for, what happens to accounts and how probate questions fit in.
DocumentsHow Many Death Certificates Do You Need?
Which organisations may ask for certified copies and how to avoid document delays.
At homeWhat to Do When Someone Dies at Home in the UK
A practical UK guide to the first steps when someone dies at home, including who to call, expected death, unexpected death, documents and what can wait.
HospitalWhat to Do When Someone Dies in Hospital in the UK
A calm guide to the practical steps after someone dies in hospital, including bereavement offices, medical certificates, registration and funeral directors.
No willWhat to Do When There Is No Will in the UK
General UK guidance on the first practical steps when someone dies without a will, including intestacy, documents, assets and when to get legal advice.
SpouseDo I Need Probate if My Spouse Dies?
General UK guidance on whether probate may be needed after a spouse or civil partner dies, including joint assets, sole assets and provider thresholds.
Tell Us OnceCan I Use Tell Us Once Before Registering a Death?
A simple UK guide to when Tell Us Once is available, how the reference works, and what organisations still need separate contact.
NotificationsWho to Notify After a Death in the UK
A practical notification checklist after a death in the UK, covering government, banks, pensions, utilities, insurance, subscriptions and property.
Council taxWhat Happens to Council Tax When Someone Dies?
General UK guidance on council tax after a death, including notifying the council, empty property, single person discount and estate records.
Joint accountsWhat Happens to a Joint Bank Account After Death in the UK?
General UK guidance on joint bank accounts after death, including notifying the bank, account access, death certificates and estate records.
Funeral costsHelp With Funeral Costs in the UK
General UK guidance on organising funeral costs, checking the estate, bank payments, funeral plans and official support routes.
ExecutorExecutor Checklist UK: First Practical Steps
A practical executor checklist for the UK, covering documents, assets, liabilities, notifications, probate checks and record keeping.
PensionsWhat Happens to Pensions When Someone Dies in the UK?
General UK guidance on pension steps after a death, including State Pension, private pensions, nomination forms, provider contact and records.
WillsHow to Find a Will After Someone Dies in the UK
Practical UK steps for finding a will after someone dies, including home searches, solicitors, storage, probate records and when to get legal advice.
DocumentsWhat Documents Are Needed After a Death in the UK?
A practical UK document checklist after a death, covering death certificates, will, funeral paperwork, bank details, pensions, insurance and property records.
At nightWhat to Do When Someone Dies at Night in the UK
A calm UK guide for what to do when someone dies at night, including expected deaths, unexpected deaths, emergency services, out-of-hours doctors and what can wait.
Executor checklistBereavement Checklist for Executors in the UK
A practical UK checklist for executors after a death, covering will checks, documents, banks, estate records, probate questions and professional advice points.
Need the full step-by-step pack?
The First Steps Pack turns these guides into a practical printable workflow for the first calls, documents and decisions.