What to do when someone Dies

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The first thing to do when someone dies depends on the circumstances of their death.

Call their GP practice and nearest relative (if that's not you). In most instances, the doctor will then issue a medical certificate that states the cause of death to allow the death to be registered. You’ll also be given a formal notice stating that the medical certificate has been signed. This notice tells you how to register the death. Then, when you feel ready to do so, you can contact a funeral director of your choice who will move the body.

Call 999 immediately and explain what's happened. If the cause of death is unclear or unnatural, for example as the result of an accident, or the person hadn't been seen by a doctor during their last illness, the death will need to be reported to a coroner. A coroner is a lawyer with the legal duty to investigate unexpected deaths (some coroners are also doctors). The coroner may call for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. This may take some time, so the funeral may need to be delayed. You cannot refuse the examination, but you can tell them if you need to arrange the funeral quickly for faith reasons.

When someone dies unexpectedly, the police will also be called to do a routine visit. They'll ask questions about the circumstances of the death which may be used to help the coroner to understand the cause of death. This can be unsettling but it's important to remember that it's normal procedure in these circumstances.  

The hospital will explain the steps you need to take. The cause of death will usually be checked by the medical examiner and then the medical certificate and formal notice will be issued. 

The body will usually be kept in the hospital mortuary until the relatives arrange for it to be taken to the funeral director's premises or taken home.

If someone dies abroad, you should register the death according to the regulations of the country. A local death certificate can usually be used in the UK. However, if it's not in English, you'll probably need to get a certified translation if you're dealing with the person's affairs. You might also choose to register the death with UK authorities. To do this, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). You can call them on 020 7008 5000.

Find out more about what to do after a British national dies abroad on GOV.UK

It's a legal requirement to register a death within 5 days of the death (unless it's been referred to the coroner). A burial or cremation cannot go ahead until the death has been registered. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to register a death:

You can go to any register office to register a death, but it's best to use one in the area where the person died because then you'll be given the documents you need that day. If you go to an office in a different area, there'll be a delay before you get the documents. Wherever you go, most offices require you to make an appointment, so it's best to phone in advance to check. 

Find a register office on GOV.UK

You'll have to show – or tell – the registrar:

The medical certificate signed by a doctor or documentation from the coroner confirming the cause of death

The date and place of death

The full name of the person who's died (and any other names they once had, such as a maiden name)

Their date and place of birth

Their usual address

Their most recent occupation and if they'd retired

Whether or not they were receiving any benefits, including State Pension.

The name, occupation, and date of birth of their spouse or civil partner, if they had one (even if their spouse or civil partner has already died).  If possible, you could also take the person’s:

Birth certificate

Medical card or NHS number

Passport

Marriage or civil partnership certificate

Driving licence

Proof of their address (on an electricity bill, for example).

When you've provided the required information, the registrar will give you:

A certificate for burial or cremation (known as a 'Green Form')

A unique code, so that you can use the Tell Us Once service

Leaflets about bereavement benefits

A death certificate, for which there will be a charge. This is a certified copy of what's recorded in the death register and is needed to be able to deal with the person's estate.

It's a good idea to pay for some extra copies of the death certificate, as they may be needed when sorting out the estate of the person who's died and copies requested at a later date may be more expensive. It's also worth noting that ordinary photocopies aren’t accepted by some organisations, such as banks or life insurance companies.

As mentioned above, the Tell Us Once service can be used to report a death to several government departments in one go. The service is offered by most local councils. When you register a death, the registrar will explain the Tell Us Once service and either help you use it or give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself. You can use the service over the phone by calling 0800 085 7308 or you can use the service online on GOV.UK. 

Access the online Tell Us Once service on GOV.UK

When someone dies, you must get in touch with certain organisations to let them know as soon as possible. If it's available in your area, you can use the Tell Us Once service to contact several government departments about the death in one go, including:

Local services such as libraries, electoral services and Council Tax services

HM Passport Office

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

The Department for Work and Pensions

HMRC for tax purposes. 

You'll need to return the person's driver's licence to the DVLA and their passport to HM Passport Office.

If your local council doesn't offer the Tell Us Once service, you'll need to contact these departments yourself. 

You may need to contact other organisations as well, such as:

Personal or occupational pension scheme providers

Insurance companies

Banks and building societies

An employer or trade union

A mortgage provider, private landlord, housing association or council housing office

Social services, if the person received community care

Utility companies

Their GP, dentist, optician and anyone else providing medical care

Any charities, organisations or magazine subscriptions the deceased person made regular payments to.

You can register the name and address of the person who's died with the Bereavement Register. This removes their details from mailing lists and stops most advertising mail. You can either register over the phone by calling 0800 082 1230 (the 24-hour automated registration line) or online on their website.

Register the person who's died on the Bereavement Register

If the person who died had a lasting or enduring power of attorney, this automatically ends when they die. The attorney should get in touch with the Office of the Public Guardian and send them the power of attorney document, any certified copies and a copy of the death certificate.

The Office of the Public Guardian's address is as follows:

Office of the Public Guardian
PO Box 16185
Birmingham
B2 2WH