What to do when someone dies in the UK?

Remember: you’re not alone

No matter what the circumstances regarding the death of a loved one, there are many ways you can get help. Organisations like the NHS and Cruse Bereavement can offer support with grief. You can find official help on the UK government site about things like government benefits and financial support.

Here at Fenix, we can also help you along every step of the process. From organising a whole funeral to just finding the right flower arranger, our personal advisors are there for you with all the information and expertise you could need. Feel free to get in touch to find out more.

The first steps

When someone dies in a hospital or care home, the staff will help you with the first stage of paperwork, contacting a GP, and getting a medical certificate. The body is then taken to the hospital mortuary until you arrange to have it moved, usually to the funeral directors.

If someone dies at home, call the GP they were registered at, or the NHS helpline (111) as soon as possible – they’ll lead you through what to do next.

Get the medical certificate

Before a death can be registered, the cause of death has to be confirmed. A doctor records the cause of death, and an independent medical examiner reviews it and talks it through with the family. Once everyone agrees, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent to the register office. The certificate is free, and the medical examiner's office will let you know when you can book a registration appointment.

If the death has to be reported to a coroner, for example because the cause of death is unknown or unnatural, this can take longer. The coroner will let you know when the death can be registered.

How to register a death in England and Wales

From Monday 9 November 2026, the way deaths are registered in England and Wales is changing. Deaths are now recorded on a new electronic register instead of a paper register book, and many register offices let you register a death by phone instead of going in person.

What's changing

• A new electronic register. Deaths are recorded on the Electronic Register of Births and Deaths.
• No more signing the register. Instead of signing, you confirm to the registrar that the information you've given is correct.
• You may not need to go in person. Many register offices now offer appointments by phone as well as face to face, so you may be able to register a death without travelling at a difficult time.

What stays the same

• The medical paperwork comes first. The medical examiner or coroner must finish their part before the death can be registered.
• You still need an appointment, whether you register in person or by phone.
• The 5-day time limit still applies. A death must be registered within 5 days of the register office receiving the medical certificate, unless a coroner is involved.
• Register in the right area. Contact the register office for the district where the person died.

What this means for you

Each register office is introducing the change in its own way, and not every council website has been updated yet. When you book, ask whether you can register by phone or need to attend in person. Y ou can find the right office on GOV .UK or your council's website.

If you register by phone, your death certificates are likely to be sent by post, so they may take longer to arrive. If you need certificates quickly for banks or other organisations, ask the registrar about timings.

What you'll need to tell the registrar

• The person's full name, and any names they used before (for example, a maiden name)
• Their date and place of birth
• Their National Insurance number
• Their last address
• Their occupation, or whether they were retired
• The name, date of birth and occupation of their spouse or civil partner (whether living or not)
• Whether they were getting a State Pension or any other benefits

The register office will tell you if you need any documents. These might include the person's birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, something showing their National Insurance number, driving licence, passport, NHS medical card, or a Council Tax or utility bill showing their last address.

What you'll receive

The registrar issues the certificate for burial or cremation, often called the green form (GRO21). The funeral cannot go ahead without it. If you're registering by phone, tell the registrar the name of your funeral director so the form can be sent straight to them.

You may also receive a certificate of registration of death (form BD8), which you might need to complete and return if the person was getting a State Pension or benefits.

At Fenix, you can already arrange a funeral without leaving home. Your arranger can visit you at home or meet you by video call and look after everything from start to finish. Now, in many areas, you can register the death from home too. If you're not sure which register office to contact, or what to do first, call us for free advice on 0203 893 3003.

Who to inform about a death?

It can all-too often feel like a juggling act, when someone dies. Your to-do list feels like it just keeps on growing, rather than getting shorter. One thing that really helps is the UK’s Tell Us Once service, which informs multiple people and organisations about the death at the same time.

At the point of registering a death, your register will explain the Tell Us Once service. They will either complete the service together with you, or give you a unique reference number so you can use the service online, or by phone. The service then notifies:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
  
• Passport Office – so their passport is cancelled
  
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
  
• Local council
  
• Veterans UK
  

HMRC and DWP will then contact you about the tax, benefits and entitlements of the person who died.

That should free up time so you can focus on contacting people like: friends & family, employer, mortgage provider or landlord, utility companies, financial organisations like banks and credit cards.

How to arrange a funeral in the UK

Generally, funerals take place one to two weeks after someone dies. But if you need more time, that can often be arranged. Depending on religious or cultural beliefs, the time between death and funeral might be much shorter.

Before arranging the funeral, check the will of the deceased person to see if they made any funeral plans – they may have left clear instructions. Whether a plan exists or not, many people choose to seek help from a funeral director during this stressful time. A funeral director helps plan the ceremony, deals with paperwork, looks after the body until the day of the funeral, and makes sure everything happens at the right time at the right place.

At Fenix, we have dedicated, expert advisors who will help you find a funeral director in England, give you information about the different costs and options for every type of funeral, and even help you choose the right flowers. Whether you need support along every step of the process, or just some expert (but friendly) advice, we’re here for you, always – so feel free to get in touch.

Other things to do after a death

In the weeks following the death, there are a number of things that need to be done. These include returning the person’s passport to HM Passport Office, and their driving licence to the DVLA. If the person who died was a Blue Badge holder, the badge will need to be returned to the Blue Badge Unit.

It’s also a good idea to register the death with the Bereavement Register, in order to remove the person’s name from marketing databases and mailing lists. 

You’ll also need to:

• Redirect post.
• Inform the dentist and optician.
  
• Cancel subscriptions.
  
• Close online accounts, such as email or social media profiles.
  
• Contact clubs, trade unions, and associations.
  
• Inform social groups, church or place of worship.
  

Also, keep in mind that the official UK government guide about what to do when someone dies in the UK is really useful, and contains lots of in-depth information that we couldn’t fit in here (like checking to see if you can get bereavement benefits, updating your own benefits and pension, dealing with taxes, applying for probate and dealing with the estate, etc.)

We know that there’s a lot of information here, but keep the first point in this guide in your mind at all times – no matter what, you’re not alone, and there’s always options available for reaching out, whether you need practical advice or emotional support.

Fenix has a specialist Bereavement Support team who are there to offer you advice on a wide range of administrative, practical, legal, emotional and other matters. Whatever you need, you can request a call from one of our team. 

You can keep reading to get even more in-depth information about what to do when someone dies, and advice on things like dealing with grieving.

Grieving and dealing with loss in the UK

It’s absolutely natural to experience a number of symptoms and feelings when a loved one or family member dies. Symptoms of grief or bereavement can include:

• Sadness that feels overwhelming. For example if you can’t stop crying, or feel unable to get through tasks or work during your day.
• Shock, numbness, being in a ‘daze’. One of the earliest responses to a death, this is often the body and mind protecting themselves, by limiting what you have to deal with.
• Tiredness / lethargy. Many people report that they sleep more, or feel tired even after sleeping.
• Anger towards the person. It’s also common to have periods of wanting to ‘blame’ the deceased.
• Guilt. We all spend time thinking about things that we didn’t do or say, and can feel guilty that those opportunities are now ‘lost’.

If at any point these symptoms feel overwhelming, or don’t go away, you can speak to your GP, or contact a support organisation such as Cruse Bereavement Care.

Who to talk to about grief?

It’s really important to remember that you don’t have to deal with everything all at once, or on your own, after the death of someone close to you. There are many very useful articles and guides online, created by the NHS, Cruse Bereavement, and other organisations. These are a good place to start.

At Fenix, our personal advisers are there to help you manage every aspect of a death or funeral. You can call our supportive, friendly team to talk through every aspect of a death, with absolutely no obligation. And no matter what you’re going through, our Our Bereavement Team will be there to help you. 

The steps to follow if you or someone else is in a mental health crisis

If you reach a point in which you’re not sure you can keep yourself or someone else safe, you can get immediate professional help by calling 999, or going to your local A&E (accident and emergency). 

If you don’t want to visit the A&E, the Samaritans are available 24/7, with extremely capable staff ready to help and support you. You can call them from any phone on: 116 123

What is an inquest after a death in the UK?

In some circumstances, inquests can be called after a death in England. An inquest is conducted by a coroner, and can cover things like:

• Who the dead person was, if that is not immediately clear.
• The “how, when and where” questions relating to a death.
  
• Speaking to witnesses to ensure all the relevant information is collected.
  

Importantly, you should know that an inquest is not a trial, and the coroner has no mandate to offer any decision or even opinion about civil or criminal liability in relation to a death.

When is a coroner needed after a death?

Deaths are reported to a coroner if the cause of death is not clear, if the person has died a violent or unnatural death, or if the person died in prison or police custody.

The coroner might decide that the cause of death is clear, which means that a doctor can sign the death certificate. Or, they might decide that a port-mortem or an inquest is required. Post-mortems are carried out in either a hospital or mortuary, and the coroner must keep you or your GP informed about where and when it will take place.

How to help someone else cope with death in the UK?

Dealing with loss is one of the hardest things any of us will encounter in life. And everyone goes through grief and bereavement differently, so there’s no set plan for how to ‘solve’ it. But there are some useful things to keep in mind, so that you can be there for someone:

• Don’t worry about ‘saying the wrong thing’. In most cases, just being there for someone is a huge help.
• Don’t avoid contact with someone. Hoping that someone’s grief will just ‘go away on its own’ might actually prolong it, or even make it worse.
  
• Ask someone how you can help. Often, the bereaved person will know what they need – even if it’s just as simple as a cup of tea or a walk to get out of the house.
  
• Find ways to talk about the deceased. While it can be painful, talking about the good moments or traits – or even the not so good ones – can help someone work through their grief.
  
• Help them find additional support if needed. Sometimes, grief can last for a long time, and affect someone’s ability to work or look after themselves. If you suspect this is happening, you could find an organisation that might be able to help (e.g. by using this useful list).
  

How to choose: burial or cremation in the UK?

In many cases, the deceased might have left instructions in a will, or told someone in person their wishes about whether they want to be cremated or buried. Or, they might have belonged to a religion that has rules about this. 

If not, then there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to deciding between burial and cremation:

• Cremation is more often than not the cheaper option, as burial involves additional costs (like a cemetery plot).
• Environmentally, both options have pros and cons. You can opt for a ‘green’ or ‘natural’ burial, which some people argue is better for the planet as there is no carbon emissions from the cremation process. But others argue that burial takes up space – and it can be especially harmful if the body has been embalmed.
  
• In the UK, more people are cremated than are buried, and that’s been the case for more than 50 years. More and more people are also choosing direct cremation – which means cremation without a service.
  
• Some people appreciate that the ashes after a cremation can be scattered in a meaningful location, and even split between different people and places.
  
• Others prefer knowing that the body of a buried person is always in the same place, which can be visited on anniversaries, for example.
  
• Many people prefer the ‘traditional’ and ‘gentle’ nature of burials: it’s a method that’s more familiar to many people, and it’s accepted by most of the world’s major religions.
  

At Fenix, we can help you decide between cremation and burial – whether you’re planning someone else’s funeral or your own. We pride ourselves on being transparent, honest, and supportive, no matter what your plans or budget. (Don’t forget that a money advice service like the UK government’s MoneyHelper can help you manage the costs of a funeral.) Our articles about direct cremation in England, or the cost of cremation might be useful if you’d like to find out more about those subjects.

What happens when someone dies in hospital in the UK?

In almost all cases, the hospital staff will be there for you to help you through all the necessary steps, such as arranging a medical certificate and death certificate. Most hospitals also have mortuaries, where the body can be kept until the funeral director can come and retrieve it.

Don’t forget you can also ask to spend time with the body after your loved one has died. Many people find this very comforting as part of the grieving process.