What To Do When Someone Dies: A Guide to the Next Steps and Legal Support
18/03/2026
You don’t need to have everything figured out right now.
Losing someone close to you is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face. During this emotional time, there are also a number of practical and legal matters that need to be addressed. Many people feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin.
This guide explains what to do when someone dies, and where you may wish to seek support or professional advice.
Immediate steps after someone dies
When someone dies, the first step is usually to obtain medical confirmation of death.
If the person dies in hospital, the hospital staff will handle this process and provide the necessary documentation. If the death occurs at home, you should contact the person’s GP or call 111. If a death is unexpected, sudden, or suspicious, you should call 999.
Once death has been confirmed, it may also be helpful to:
- Inform close family members and friends
- Look for any paperwork relating to funeral wishes, a Will, or organ/body donation requests
- Locate important documents such as identification, insurance details or bank information
- Ensure the person’s property is secure, such as locking doors and arranging care for any pets
At this stage, many people simply focus on informing loved ones and beginning to gather the information that will be needed in the coming days.
In some circumstances, a death must be reported to the coroner. This may happen if the death was sudden, unexplained, violent, unnatural, or if the cause of death is unknown. This is usually done by a doctor, hospital, police officer, or registrar. If the coroner becomes involved, registration of the death may be delayed until the coroner has completed their initial investigation.
Registering the death
In England and Wales, a death usually needs to be registered within five days of the medical certificate being issued, unless the death has been referred to a coroner. Registering a death is typically done by a relative, partner, care home official, a person arranging the funeral, or someone present at the death.
The death is registered at a local register office and you will normally need the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which is issued by a doctor, in addition to as many of these documents and as much of this information here as you can provide. You can register a death on the government’s website here.
When registering the death, you will receive several important documents, including:
- Copies of the death certificate (available for a fee)
- A certificate for burial or cremation (sometimes known as the “green form”)
- Forms that allow you to notify government departments through the Tell Us Once service
These documents are required for arranging the funeral and managing the deceased’s financial affairs.
Finding a Will
If the person who has died left a Will, this document usually names the executor who is responsible for managing the estate.
The will may be stored in a number of places, including:
- With a solicitor
- At the deceased’s home
- With their bank
- In a secure will storage service
The executor is responsible for collecting the deceased’s assets, settling any debts, and distributing the estate according to the terms of the Will.
If no Will exists, the estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy, and someone will need to apply to become the administrator of the estate. You can learn more about what to do if someone passes away without a will by reading our blog post here.
Arranging the funeral
Funeral arrangements can often begin shortly after the death has been confirmed, although burial or cremation cannot take place until the necessary certificates have been issued.
The person who has died may have left instructions in their will regarding their funeral wishes. If this is the case, those wishes should be considered when planning the service, however they are not legally binding.
Funeral arrangements often involve:
- Choosing between burial or cremation
- Appointing a funeral director
- Organising the details of the service
- Informing friends and family of the arrangements
Funeral expenses are usually paid from the deceased’s estate and are generally treated as a priority expense during estate administration.
Informing Organisations and Government Departments
A number of organisations will need to be notified when someone dies. This may include:
- Banks and building societies
- Pension providers
- Insurance companies
- Utility providers
- Mortgage lenders
- Government departments such as HMRC or the Department for Work and Pensions
The Tell Us Once service, available when registering a death, can help notify several government departments at the same time, although other organisations, such as banks, may need to be notified manually.
Notifying organisations allows accounts to be closed or transferred and ensures that ongoing payments or obligations are handled correctly.
Identifying Assets, Debts and Financial Information
Before the estate can be administered, it is important to build a clear picture of the deceased person’s financial situation.
This may involve identifying:
- Bank accounts and savings
- Property or land
- Investments and shares
- Pensions and insurance policies
- Loans, mortgages or outstanding debts
Gathering this information helps determine the value of the estate and whether probate will be required.
Understanding Probate
Probate is the legal process used to administer a person’s estate after they die.
If the deceased left a will, the executor may need to apply for a Grant of Probate. If there is no will, a close relative may apply for Letters of Administration.
Probate is often required when the deceased owned assets in their sole name, particularly property or significant financial accounts. However, some financial institutions may release smaller balances without a grant.
The probate process may involve:
- Valuing the estate and its assets
- Completing inheritance tax forms where applicable
- Applying to the Probate Registry
- Collecting funds from banks or financial institutions
- Settling debts and liabilities
For straightforward estates, this process may be relatively simple. However, more complex estates can require additional legal guidance.
Administering the Estate
Once probate has been granted, the executor or administrator can begin formally administering the estate.
This process usually includes:
- Paying any outstanding debts or liabilities
- Settling inheritance tax where applicable
- Managing or selling property if necessary
- Distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries
Executors have legal responsibilities during this process, which is why many people seek professional assistance to ensure everything is handled correctly.
When Legal Advice May Be Helpful
While some estates are straightforward, others may involve more complex issues. Legal advice can be particularly helpful if:
- The estate includes property or significant assets
- There is no will
- There are disputes between beneficiaries
- The estate involves inheritance tax
- You are unsure about your responsibilities as an executor
Professional guidance can help ensure that all legal obligations are met and that the estate is administered efficiently.
Support and Guidance During a Difficult Time
Coping with the loss of a loved one while managing practical responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Having clear guidance and support can make the process easier to navigate.
Our experienced Wills and Probate team understands the sensitive nature of bereavement and the challenges families may face during this time. We are here to provide clear, compassionate advice to help you manage the legal aspects following a death.
Whether you need assistance with probate, estate administration, or simply want to understand your responsibilities, seeking professional support can help give you peace of mind.
If you would like calm, practical guidance about what to do next, our private client team is here to help.
You do not need to have paperwork ready. You do not need to have made decisions.
A simple conversation can help you understand where you stand.
