What to Do After a Death in the UK
A clear, step-by-step guide to the practical tasks that follow a death in the UK — from registering the death and using Tell Us Once, to banks, probate, and bills. Written for families navigating a difficult time.
Losing someone is one of the hardest experiences a family can face. In the days and weeks that follow, there is also a significant amount of practical administration to work through — often while grieving, often without any prior experience of what is involved.
This guide sets out the key steps clearly, in the order that most families will need to take them. Not everything on this list will apply to every situation — use it as a framework, not a rigid checklist.
1. The first 24–72 hours
The immediate period after a death can be disorienting. There is no single right way to respond, but there are a few practical steps that need to happen relatively quickly.
If the death happened at home
Call the deceased's GP or, if out of hours, the on-call doctor. They will come to the property, confirm the death, and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) — the document you will need to register the death.
If the death was unexpected, sudden, or the cause is unclear, call 999. The police and coroner may need to be involved before any paperwork can be issued. This can delay registration, but most organisations will understand.
If the death happened in hospital
Speak to the hospital's bereavement office. They will issue the MCCD and guide you through the hospital's own process. There is no immediate rush to collect personal belongings — contact the ward or bereavement team to agree a time.
Other immediate steps
Let close family and friends know
Delegate this where possible. You do not have to manage this alone.
Locate the will
Check with solicitors, banks, or personal papers. Do not act on it yet — just find it.
Secure the property
Ensure the home is locked, keys are accounted for, and valuables are safe.
Check for a pre-paid funeral plan
If the deceased had one, this may determine which funeral director you use.
2. Registering the death
Registering the death is a legal requirement. You must do this within 5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or within 8 days in Scotland.
Register at the register office for the area where the death occurred — not necessarily where the deceased lived. You can find your nearest office and book an appointment at gov.uk/register-a-death.
Who can register
- A relative of the deceased
- Someone present at the death
- The occupier of the building where the death occurred
- The person arranging the funeral (if not a funeral director)
What to bring
- The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) — essential
- The deceased's NHS medical card (if available)
- Their birth certificate and marriage/civil partnership certificate (if available)
- Passport or driving licence for identification
What you will receive
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Required by banks, insurers, and pension providers. Order 6–8 certified copies — each costs around £11 and organisations rarely accept photocopies. |
| Green form (Certificate for Burial or Cremation) | Passed to the funeral director to proceed with the funeral. |
| Tell Us Once reference number | Used to notify multiple government departments in one step (see below). |
3. The funeral
Funeral directors can keep the deceased in their care while you make arrangements — there is no need to rush. Average UK funeral costs range from £3,000 to £5,000 or more, though costs vary significantly between providers. Always get a written quote.
Key decisions
- Burial or cremation — check the will or any pre-expressed wishes first
- Religious or non-religious service
- Venue: church, crematorium, funeral home, or alternative
- Date, time, and who will speak
- Music, flowers, and any specific requests
Help with costs
If you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may be able to claim a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government. Apply at gov.uk/funeral-payments. Funeral costs can also usually be paid from the deceased's estate before probate is complete.
4. Tell Us Once
Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to multiple government departments in a single step. You will receive a reference number when you register the death — use this to access the service online at gov.uk/tell-us-once or by phone.
What it notifies
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Passport Office — to cancel the passport
- DVLA — to cancel the driving licence
- Local council — council tax, housing benefit, blue badge
- Veterans UK (if applicable)
- Public sector pension services
5. Banks, finances, and accounts
Do not close or transfer accounts until you understand what the estate involves. Banks will freeze accounts on notification — this is normal and expected.
Steps to take
Notify each bank and building society
Visit in branch or write. Most require a certified copy of the death certificate.
Request a list of accounts and balances
You will need this for probate. Check for savings accounts, ISAs, and Premium Bonds.
Check for joint accounts
Joint accounts usually pass automatically to the surviving account holder.
Contact insurance providers
Life, home, car, and travel insurance. If a life policy was written in trust, the payout may be made before probate is complete.
Check for investments, shares, and Premium Bonds
Notify NS&I for Premium Bonds. Contact investment providers or a solicitor for shares.
6. Bills, utilities, and subscriptions
If the deceased lived alone, you will need to manage or cancel all ongoing bills. If they lived with others, some accounts may need to be transferred rather than cancelled.
Utilities
Take meter readings immediately to establish a clear final bill date. Contact each provider — gas, electricity, and water — to cancel or transfer the account. If the property will be empty, notify the provider as vacant property tariffs may apply.
Council tax
If the deceased lived alone, the property may be exempt from council tax while it is empty and during probate. Contact the local council to request an exemption.
Subscriptions to cancel
- Mobile phone and broadband
- Streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)
- Gym and leisure memberships
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
- Online shopping accounts (Amazon Prime, etc.)
- Club memberships — golf, social, professional bodies
7. Probate
Probate is the legal process of dealing with the estate of someone who has died. It gives the executor (or administrator) the authority to manage and distribute the estate.
Do you need probate?
Not always. As a general guide:
| Usually required | Usually not required |
|---|---|
| Solely owned property | Jointly owned assets (pass automatically) |
| Large bank accounts (typically £5,000–£50,000+ depending on bank) | Small estates |
| Shares and investments | Assets held in trust |
| Solely owned business interests | Life insurance written in trust |
How to apply
If there is a will, the named executor applies for a Grant of Probate. If there is no will, a family member applies for Letters of Administration. Both can be applied for online at gov.uk/applying-for-probate. The current fee is £273 for estates over £5,000.
Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax (IHT) applies to estates worth more than £325,000 (the nil-rate band). The standard rate is 40% on the value above the threshold. Various exemptions apply — including for assets left to a spouse or civil partner, and an additional £175,000 residence nil-rate band when a home is left to direct descendants. HMRC must be notified even if no tax is due.
Need a clearer checklist?
Download the free checklist or get the full step-by-step guide with letter templates and a UK resource directory.
Frequently asked questions
Call the GP or doctor to confirm the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). If the death was unexpected or the cause is unclear, call 999 — the coroner may need to be involved. Once you have the MCCD, you can register the death and contact a funeral director.
Within 5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or 8 days in Scotland. Register at the local register office for the area where the death occurred — not necessarily where the person lived.
Tell Us Once is a free government service that notifies multiple departments — HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and your local council — in a single step. You receive a reference number when you register the death, then use it online at gov.uk/tell-us-once or by phone.
No. Probate is usually required for solely owned property, large bank accounts, or investments. It may not be needed for jointly owned assets, small estates, or assets held in trust. Each bank has its own threshold — typically between £5,000 and £50,000.
The application fee is currently £273 for estates over £5,000 (free for smaller estates). Solicitor fees vary — a straightforward estate handled by a solicitor typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000+, though many families manage simple estates themselves.
Straightforward estates typically take 3–6 months from application to completion. Complex estates, disputes, missing assets, or inheritance tax queries can extend this significantly. There is no way to rush the process — accuracy matters more than speed.
If there is a will, the named executor is responsible. If there is no will, a close relative — usually the spouse or civil partner, then children — can apply to become the administrator. Both have the same responsibilities: paying debts, notifying organisations, and distributing assets.