What Happens After Someone Dies: A Practical Guide for Families
When someone dies, the practical steps that follow can feel overwhelming — particularly when you're also dealing with shock and grief. Knowing what to expect, and what needs to happen in what order, can make an incredibly difficult time feel slightly more manageable.
This guide explains the process clearly, from the moment of death through to the funeral.
When someone dies at home
If someone dies at home and the death was expected — following a terminal illness, for example — call the person's GP or the out-of-hours GP service. A doctor will attend to confirm the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), which you'll need to register the death.
If the death was unexpected, or if the person had not seen a doctor recently, call 999. The police will attend and the death will be referred to the coroner.
When someone dies in hospital
Hospital staff will confirm the death and issue the MCCD. A nurse or bereavement officer will guide you through the immediate next steps and help you collect the paperwork you need.
When someone dies abroad
If the death occurs outside the UK, the process is more complex. You will need to work with the local authorities in that country and with the British Embassy or High Commission. A funeral director experienced in repatriation can manage much of this on your behalf.
The coroner
If a death is sudden, unexpected, violent, or the cause is unknown, the coroner becomes involved. The coroner may order a post-mortem examination to establish cause of death. In some cases an inquest will be held, which can delay the funeral.
You cannot register the death or proceed with the funeral until the coroner has completed their investigation. Your funeral director can liaise with the coroner's office on your behalf.
Registering the death
You must register the death at the local register office — for the area where the death occurred, not where the person lived.
Deadlines:
- England and Wales: within 5 days
- Scotland: within 8 days
- Northern Ireland: within 5 days
You'll need the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Bring any identification documents you have for the deceased.
You'll receive:
- A death certificate (the first copy is free; additional copies cost £12.50 each — order several)
- A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the green form) — this goes to your funeral director
Choosing a funeral director
You do not have to choose a funeral director immediately after someone dies. Take a breath. In most circumstances, there is no need to rush.
A funeral director will collect the deceased from wherever they have died and take them into their care. They will keep the body in a refrigerated chapel of rest until the funeral, and they will guide you through every decision — from the type of service to the coffin to the order of events.
You are entitled to compare quotes from more than one funeral director. Prices for similar services can vary by £1,000 or more, so it is worth taking a little time to do this even when you don't feel like it.
What happens to the body
Once in the care of the funeral director, the body will be washed and dressed. If you have chosen cremation, the deceased will be kept in a coffin until the cremation takes place — typically within 7–14 days for direct cremation, or 2–4 weeks for a traditional funeral service.
If you have chosen burial, the timing depends on cemetery availability, which varies significantly by location.
You can request a viewing at the funeral director's chapel of rest if you wish to see the deceased before the funeral.
What you'll need to arrange
Between the death and the funeral, there are a number of practical things to organise:
- Notify close family and friends
- Contact the deceased's employer, bank, and relevant government departments (the Tell Us Once service covers many of these in one step)
- Locate the will, if there is one
- Inform HMRC and cancel any benefits the deceased was receiving
- Contact a solicitor if the estate requires probate
Your funeral director will guide you through the funeral-specific decisions. For financial and legal matters, Citizens Advice and your local solicitor can help.
After the funeral
The funeral is not the end of the administrative process. Depending on the circumstances, you may still need to:
- Apply for probate
- Deal with the estate
- Cancel subscriptions, memberships, and accounts
- Deal with the deceased's property
- Apply for any bereavement benefits you're entitled to
Take it one step at a time. You do not need to do everything at once.
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