Susanne White Private Client Solicitor
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What to Do When Someone Dies: A Practical Guide
What to do when someone dies
The first days after someone dies can feel overwhelming, and it may be difficult to know where to begin. I have prepared this guide on what to do when someone dies, to help you understand the immediate practical steps, from registering the death and securing the property to finding the Will and arranging the funeral.
You do not need to deal with everything at once. Start with what is most urgent and take each step at a pace that feels manageable.
Every family and every estate is different. If you are unsure what to do, I can provide clear, sensitive advice, explain your responsibilities and help you decide what support you need.
First steps
In the first few days, focus on the essentials:
– Make sure the person’s home, belongings and pets are safe.
– Notify the appropriate medical professional and arrange to register the death.
– Find out whether there is a Will or any written funeral wishes.
– Contact a funeral director when you are ready.
– Tell the executors named in the Will, if known.
Procedures can differ if the death is referred to the coroner. The registrar, hospital or coroner’s office will explain what happens next. You can also read the GOV.UK guidance on what happens when a death is reported to a coroner.
Keep the home and belongings secure
If the person lived alone, make the property secure as soon as reasonably possible. Lock doors and windows, cancel regular deliveries and make suitable arrangements for pets.
Try not to remove belongings. The contents may need to be identified and valued as part of the estate. If an item must be moved for safety, keep a clear written record and, where possible, speak to the executors first.
Locate the buildings and contents insurance policy and tell the insurer about the death. Ask whether any conditions apply while the property is empty and keep a note of the conversation.
Register the death
The medical and registration process will depend on the circumstances of the death. In England and Wales, a medical examiner will normally review the cause of death before the death can be registered.
You must wait until the medical examiner’s office confirms that you can register the death. The death should then normally be registered within five days of the registrar receiving the necessary medical documentation. This includes weekends and bank holidays.
If you need more time, contact the register office promptly. Different arrangements may apply if the death has been referred to a coroner.
You can find further information about the process, including how to register a death, on the GOV.UK website.
Information you may be asked for
-The person’s full name, any former names and last address.
– The date and place of death.
– Their date and place of birth.
– Their occupation.
– Details of a spouse or civil partner.
– Information about pensions or state benefits.
You may also be asked for documents such as a birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, passport or benefit records.
Do not delay asking for guidance if some documents cannot be found.
Ask the registrar about certified copies of the death certificate and whether the Tell Us Once service is available.
Find the Will and identify the executors
The Will may contain funeral wishes and should name the executors responsible for administering the estate. Look among the person’s important papers and contact any solicitor or Will-storage provider they used.
If you cannot find a Will, further searches may be needed. If no valid Will exists, the estate will be dealt with under the intestacy rules and an eligible person will need to apply to act as administrator.
This is one reason why making a Will is so important. It allows you to set out your wishes and appoint people you trust to deal with your estate.
Do not worry if the Will cannot be found before the funeral. The funeral can usually proceed while searches continue.
Arrange and pay for the funeral
Check the Will and personal papers for funeral wishes, a prepaid funeral plan or relevant insurance. A funeral director can explain the choices available and the documents needed.
The person arranging the funeral may be asked to accept responsibility for the cost. Reasonable funeral expenses are usually payable from the estate if sufficient funds are available. A bank may agree to pay the funeral director directly from the deceased person’s account before Probate, so ask the bank what evidence it requires.
Tell organisations about the death
Make a list and work through it gradually. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to contact:
– Banks, building societies, investment providers and insurers.
– Pension providers and the person’s employer.
– The landlord, mortgage lender or local authority.
– Utility, telephone, broadband and subscription providers.
– HM Revenue & Customs and other government bodies not covered by Tell Us Once.
– The driving licence, passport and vehicle registration authorities.
– Royal Mail, if post needs to be redirected.
The Tell Us Once service can help by notifying several government organisations about the death, reducing the number of departments you need to contact individually.
Keep copies of letters and emails, together with a simple note of calls, dates and reference numbers.
Bank accounts and household bills
Accounts held in the deceased person’s sole name are usually restricted once the bank is notified. Joint accounts are commonly transferred to the surviving account holder, although the bank should still be told about the death.
If a household relied on the deceased person to pay regular bills, contact the providers promptly. They may be able to transfer the account, pause collection activity or agree a temporary arrangement.
Avoid using cards, online banking or funds belonging solely to the deceased person unless you have proper authority.
Gather information about the estate
The executors or administrators will need a clear picture of the person’s assets, debts, income and tax affairs. Useful documents include:
– Bank, building society and investment statements.
– Property deeds, mortgage papers and tenancy documents.
– Life insurance and pension information.
– Share certificates and business records.
– Credit card, loan and hire-purchase statements.
– Recent tax returns, payslips and pension statements.
– Details of valuable personal belongings.
– Outstanding bills and money owed to the person.
Relevant records may be held electronically. Preserve devices and paperwork, but do not access accounts without lawful authority.
What is Probate and when might it be needed?
Probate is the legal process through which the executors named in a Will obtain formal authority to deal with a deceased person’s estate.
A Grant of Probate is the official document that confirms this authority. It may be needed before certain assets, such as property or money held in bank accounts, can be transferred or distributed.
If there is no valid Will, an eligible person may instead need to apply for Letters of Administration.
Not every estate requires a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Whether one is needed depends on the assets involved, how they were owned and the requirements of the organisations holding them.
You can find more information about Probate and estate administration on my website, or read the GOV.UK guidance on dealing with someone’s estate.
When legal advice can help
Every estate is different. Legal advice can be particularly valuable where:
– There is no Will, the Will is missing or its meaning is unclear.
– The family is unsure who may act or inherit.
– The estate includes a property, business, Trust or overseas assets.
– Inheritance Tax (IHT) may be payable.
– There are significant debts or concerns about insolvency.
– A beneficiary is under 18, lacks capacity or cannot be located.
– There is disagreement, a possible claim or a risk of personal liability.
If you are concerned about Inheritance Tax, I can help you understand the potential implications and whether any exemptions or reliefs may apply. You can also read more about Inheritance Tax planning on my website.
Taking advice early can help the personal representatives understand their responsibilities, avoid unnecessary delay and choose the right level of support.
How I can help you
If you would like to talk through what needs to happen next, please contact me to arrange an initial conversation.
I can help you establish whether there is a valid Will, who has authority to deal with the estate, whether Probate is likely to be required and whether there may be any Inheritance Tax issues.
You may only need advice on one particular issue, or you may prefer me to manage the full Probate and estate administration process on your behalf.
I will tailor my support to your circumstances and guide you through each stage with care, clarity and practical advice.