Bereavement checklist
What to do step by step
When someone dies, there are certain things that have to be done. But this often comes at an incredibly difficult time when we feel least able to manage. Age UK can help you think through what you need to do. For further information click here to visit the Age UK website.
Immediately after someone dies
The first thing to do when someone dies depends on the circumstances of their death.
If someone dies at home and their death was expected
Call their GP practice and nearest relative (if that's not you). First, a doctor or nurse will come to verify the death. A doctor will then complete their part of a medical certificate, which explains the cause of death. This is then sent to a medical examiner (a senior doctor) who reviews it. The medical examiner or one of their team will then speak to the nearest relative to check they understand and agree with the medical certificate. You can ask the medical examiner questions and raise any concerns you have about the death at this stage. You’ll also be given a formal notice stating that the MCCD 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.
If someone dies at home unexpectedly
Call 999 immediately and explain what's happened. The death will need to be reported to coroner, if the cause of death is unknown, unclear, or unnatural - such as the result of an accident.
A coroner is a lawyer with the legal duty to investigate unexpected deaths (some coroners are also doctors). The coroner may order 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.
If someone dies in hospital
The hospital will explain the steps you need to take. After the death has been verified by a first doctor or nurse, the cause of death will then usually be checked by the medical examiner, who will then issue MCCD and a formal notice will be issued directly to the registrar
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 an MCCD can’t be issued, the hospital will refer the death to the coroner.
If someone dies abroad
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.
Visit the Kent.gov.uk Checklist
Tell us once
When to use Tell Us Once
You can use Tell Us Once if the person who died was living in England, Scotland or Wales. This includes if the person died while they were abroad temporarily, for example on a holiday or business trip.
The death must have been either:
- registered
- reported to a coroner and you have a final or interim death certificate
You cannot use Tell Us Once if the person was:
You can use Tell Us Once if a child or baby has died, but you must tell DWP separately if you get benefits because you’re their parent or carer.
How to use Tell Us Once
A registrar will explain the Tell Us Once service when you register the death. They will either:
- complete the Tell Us Once service with you
- give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself online or by phone
The registrar will give you a number to call. This includes Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone. If you’re a British Sign Language (BSL) user, there’s a video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet.
You must use the service within 28 days of getting your unique reference number.
If you cannot register the death because an inquest is underway, you can still ask a registrar for a unique reference number. You’ll need to get an interim death certificate from the coroner holding the inquest first.
Before you use Tell Us Once
You’ll need the Tell Us Once reference number that you got from the registrar.
You’ll also need the following details of the person who died:
- surname
- date they died
- name, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money), known as their ‘executor’ or ‘administrator’
- if there’s a surviving spouse or civil partner, the name, address, telephone number and the National Insurance number or date of birth of the spouse or civil partner
- if there’s no surviving spouse or civil partner or their spouse or civil partner is not able to deal with their affairs, the name and address of their next of kin
- if they died in a hospital, nursing home, care home or hospice, the name and address of that institution
You may also need:
- if they had a valid British passport, their passport number and town of birth
- if they had a driving licence, their driving licence number
- if they owned any vehicles, the vehicle registration numbers
- if they were paying Council Tax or getting services from their local council, such as Housing Benefit payments, the name of their local council and which services they were getting
- if they had a Blue Badge, their Blue Badge number if you know it
- if they were getting any benefits or State Pension, information about which ones they were getting
- if they were getting money from an Armed Forces Pension or Compensation Scheme, details of that scheme
- if they were getting money or paying into public sector pension schemes, details of those schemes
You’ll also need their National Insurance number if they were getting money or paying into any of the following pension schemes:
- NHS Pensions for NHS staff in England and Wales
- Scottish Public Pension Agency schemes for NHS staff, teachers, police and firefighters in Scotland
- Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme
- Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS)
Otherwise, you do not need their National Insurance number. If you can still provide it though, it will help some organisations match their records faster.
You need permission from any surviving spouse or civil partner, the next of kin, executor, administrator or anyone who was claiming joint benefits or entitlements with the person who died, before you give their details.