Take it one step at a time.
Right now — the first hours
There are only a handful of things to do straight away. If the death was expected and at home, call the GP or care team; if it was sudden or unexpected, call 999. If it happened in hospital or a hospice, the staff will guide you. Get the medical certificate of cause of death (the MCCD) — you'll need it before you can register. Then contact a funeral director if you're ready, or simply ask them to bring the person into their care while you decide. Nothing else has to happen today. It's fine to stop here and rest.
This week — register the death
You must register the death within 5 days of the medical examiner's office confirming you can register, in England and Wales (8 days in Scotland), so this is the main task for week one. Book an appointment at the local register office — most areas need you to call ahead. Take the medical certificate and, if you have them, the person's birth certificate, NHS number and proof of address. You'll be given the death certificate and a green form for the funeral. Buy several certified copies of the certificate now (banks and pension providers each want their own) — extra copies are far cheaper ordered at the same time.
This week — use Tell Us Once
When you register, the office will usually offer Tell Us Once — a free service that notifies many government departments in one go, so you don't have to contact each separately. It covers DWP (benefits and State Pension), HMRC (tax), the DVLA (driving licence), the Passport Office, and the local council (Council Tax, Blue Badge, electoral roll). You'll get a reference number to use online or by phone. The State Pension stops on the date of death, and Tell Us Once handles that for you.
This month — tell banks, pensions and providers
Now work through the person's accounts and contacts at a steady pace. Tell each bank, building society and pension provider — many have a single bereavement team and accept a certified copy of the death certificate. Contact private pensions and any workplace scheme, insurers, the mortgage or landlord, utilities, and any subscriptions. There's no deadline on most of this, so spread it over the weeks. Keep a simple list of who you've told and what they said — it saves repeating yourself.
This month — sort the funeral and check the will
Confirm the funeral arrangements with the director, and check whether there's a prepaid funeral plan or any wishes written down. Look for a will — it names the executor (the person legally responsible for sorting the estate) and where things should go. If you can't find one, check with the person's solicitor or bank. The funeral can usually be paid for from the person's account once the bank has seen the death certificate, even before probate.
Later — probate and the estate
If there's property, larger savings or investments, you'll likely need probate — the legal right to deal with the estate. The application fee is £526 for estates over £5,000, and there's no fee below that. Inheritance Tax only affects a minority of estates: nothing is owed below the £325,000 nil-rate band, and most estates fall under it. This stage can take a few months and there's no rush to start — settle the urgent things first, then come to this when you have the space.
A short checklist for this step.
Free to use — nothing to sign up for. Work down it at your own pace.
- Get the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) from the doctor
- Contact a funeral director — or ask them to bring the person into their care
- Register the death within 5 days (8 in Scotland) at the local register office
- Buy several certified copies of the death certificate at registration
- Use Tell Us Once to notify DWP, HMRC, DVLA, Passport Office and the council
- Notify banks, building societies and pension providers (certified copy each)
- Find the will and identify the executor
- Confirm funeral arrangements and check for a prepaid plan
- Apply for probate if there's property or larger savings (£526 fee over £5,000)
Answered, plainly.
Related next steps
If the estate is complex — property in sole ownership, significant assets, a contested will, a business, or assets abroad — these estates benefit from early specialist involvement. Signum carries the reviewed route where a professional is needed.
Once the urgent steps are done, the free Notification Map gives you the order to notify banks, pensions and providers — so you're not drafting each one from scratch. Optional, and only if it helps.
Notify everyone — the Notification MapInformational, not legal or financial advice. This guide covers England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland differ. Always confirm current rules and figures at GOV.UK before acting.