Someone has died – what do I need to do?
14 tasks in suggested order
1. Register a death in England or Wales after the medical examiner/coroner process allows registration
If applicable: If the death occurred in England or Wales.
For non-coronial deaths, wait until the medical examiner office confirms the death can be registered. The 5-day statutory registration period starts when the registrar is notified/you are told registration can proceed, not simply on the date of death.
Register within 5 days of the medical examiner/coroner confirmation that allows registration, unless the register office agrees more time.
The register office route for England or Wales shown by the official death-registration service.
The information requested by the registrar about the person who died; the medical cause-of-death information is sent through the medical examiner/coroner process.
If the death is referred to a coroner, follow the coroner/registrar process rather than trying to use the ordinary timeline.
Official source: GOV.UK
2. Register a death in Scotland, normally within 8 days
If applicable: If the death occurred in Scotland.
A death in Scotland should be registered within 8 days where possible. The medical certificate of cause of death is normally sent to the registrar, and the death can be registered at any registration office in Scotland.
Within 8 days of the death where possible; delays can occur if the death is referred to the procurator fiscal or the medical certificate is under review.
Any registration office in Scotland.
The medical certificate must have reached the registrar; take any available birth/marriage certificate, NHS medical card and relevant pension/payment information, though the registrar can still register with only the medical certificate.
You cannot register until the medical certificate of cause of death is available to the registrar.
Official source: mygov.scot
3. Register a death in Northern Ireland, normally within 5 days
If applicable: If the death occurred in Northern Ireland.
All deaths in Northern Ireland must be registered. A death should normally be registered within 5 days, except where it has been referred to the coroner; it may be registered in any NI district registration office.
Normally within 5 days; follow the coroner route if the death has been referred.
Any district registration office in Northern Ireland; the registrar may complete the registration by phone or at the office depending on the case.
The death-registration information requested by the registrar. The doctor/hospital normally sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death electronically through the NI process.
If the coroner is involved, registration waits for the necessary coroner certificate/process.
Official source: nidirect
4. Use Tell Us Once in England, Wales or Scotland if it is available for the death
If applicable: If the death is being handled in England, Wales or Scotland and Tell Us Once is available.
Tell Us Once can notify participating government departments after a death. The registrar normally completes it with you or gives you a unique reference number.
If you receive a Tell Us Once reference, use it within 28 days of getting the reference number.
Tell Us Once online/phone route for England, Wales and Scotland.
Tell Us Once reference number and the deceased person’s details requested by the service.
Tell Us Once does not notify every private organisation. Banks, employers, insurers, private pensions and utilities may still need separate notification. Northern Ireland uses a different process.
Official source: GOV.UK
5. Notify Northern Ireland government services and other organisations that need to know about the death
If applicable: If the deceased lived in/used services in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland does not use the Great Britain Tell Us Once route in the same way. Follow nidirect/Bereavement Service guidance and separately contact organisations that are not notified through government processes.
After the death is registered or when the relevant service tells you it can accept the notification.
Northern Ireland Bereavement Service and the specific NI departments/organisations listed by nidirect.
Death and identity details, benefit/pension references and any account/policy details needed by organisations you contact.
Also tell private organisations such as banks, insurers, employers, pension providers and utilities where relevant.
Official source: nidirect
6. Lili tip: arrange the funeral after the registration/coroner requirements allow it
Funeral arrangements can be made with or without a funeral director, but the registration/coroner documents and nation-specific burial or cremation rules must be satisfied before the funeral can proceed.
Once the death-registration/coroner process allows funeral arrangements to proceed.
Funeral director, crematorium/burial authority and the relevant UK-nation/local authority as applicable.
The burial/cremation certificate or other document issued by the registrar/coroner, plus the deceased person’s wishes if known.
Lili tip — arranging a funeral is a practical next step, not a claim that you must use a funeral director. Financial help with funeral costs has separate eligibility rules and differs by UK nation.
Official source: GOV.UK
7. Check bereavement payments and benefit/pension changes in Great Britain
If applicable: If the survivor/deceased used Great Britain benefit or pension services.
A death can affect the survivor’s benefits, tax credits/pension position and may create eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment or other help. Check the specific benefit rules rather than assuming an automatic payment.
Soon after the death because some claims are time-sensitive and benefit records may need updating.
GOV.UK/DWP and the relevant benefit or pension service in England, Wales or Scotland.
National Insurance numbers, relationship details, benefit/pension information and date of death.
Northern Ireland has its own Bereavement Service/process, covered separately below.
Official source: GOV.UK
8. Check the bereaved-partner settlement route if your UK permission depended on the partner who died
If applicable: If your UK immigration permission depended on the partner who died.
If your permission to be in the UK was based on a family visa as the partner of a British/settled/pre-settled person who has died, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain under the bereaved-partner route.
You can apply after the partner’s death; GOV.UK says you do not have to wait for the current visa to expire, but you must be in the UK when applying.
Home Office online “Indefinite leave to remain if your partner dies” route.
Current/previous passports, death certificate, relationship evidence, proof you lived together and BRP/eVisa status evidence where applicable.
This specific route only applies where your UK permission was based on the qualifying partner relationship. Other immigration categories need their own route/advice.
Official source: GOV.UK
9. Value the estate and check whether Inheritance Tax reporting/payment is required
Before the estate can be fully administered, identify the deceased person’s assets, debts, gifts and relevant valuations, then use HMRC’s estate/Inheritance Tax rules to determine what must be reported or paid.
Before the probate/confirmation/administration application where the national process requires the estate value or Inheritance Tax position first.
HMRC estate and Inheritance Tax services, plus the relevant national probate/confirmation process.
Bank/investment balances, property valuations, debts, lifetime gifts, jointly owned assets and any relief/exemption information.
The probate/confirmation process differs by UK nation even though Inheritance Tax is administered by HMRC.
Official source: GOV.UK
10. Apply for probate/letters of administration in England or Wales if the estate requires it
If applicable: If the estate is administered under England and Wales probate rules and probate is required.
Check whether probate is needed and whether you are entitled to apply. Where Inheritance Tax must be reported/paid first, complete the required HMRC step before the probate application.
After checking the estate value, will/executor position and whether probate is needed.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service probate route for England and Wales.
Death certificate details, will/codicils where applicable, executor/administrator details, estate value and Inheritance Tax reference/information where required.
Not every estate needs probate. Scotland uses confirmation and Northern Ireland has a separate probate process.
Official source: GOV.UK
11. Apply for Scottish confirmation if it is needed to administer the estate
If applicable: If the estate requires confirmation under Scots law.
In Scotland, “confirmation” is the court document giving executors authority to collect and distribute estate property. The executor submits an inventory to the sheriff court; confirmation is possible only if the inventory includes at least one item of estate in Scotland.
After identifying the executor, will/intestacy position and estate inventory, when confirmation is required to release/administer assets.
The appropriate sheriff court. Scottish Courts distinguishes small estates (total value £36,000 or less) from large estates (over £36,000).
Executor status, will if any, death certificate, full inventory/valuations and the forms/evidence required for the estate type.
For a small estate the sheriff clerk can help prepare the inventory; for a large estate Scottish Courts recommends legal advice and cannot provide the same assistance.
Official source: Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
12. Apply for a Grant of Representation in Northern Ireland if the estate requires it
If applicable: If the estate is administered under Northern Ireland probate rules and a grant is required.
Northern Ireland uses its own probate process. Check whether a grant is needed and whether the application is for probate (will) or letters of administration/other grant as appropriate.
After the death is registered and the estate, will/executor position and tax requirements have been checked.
Probate Office/NI Courts and Tribunals Service through the official nidirect probate route.
Death details, will/codicils if any, applicant/executor information, estate values and the documents/forms required by the NI process.
Do not use the England and Wales probate application for a Northern Ireland estate.
Official source: nidirect
13. Pay estate liabilities and distribute the estate only under the correct national administration rules
Once the executor/administrator has the authority required for that UK nation, settle valid estate debts, taxes and administration costs, keep accounts and distribute the remaining estate under the will/intestacy rules.
After the necessary grant/confirmation and after liabilities/taxes can be settled safely.
Through the executor/administrator using the England & Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland estate-administration rules that apply.
Grant/confirmation where required, estate accounts, creditor/tax information and beneficiary details.
Estate administration and intestacy law differ across the UK. Do not use England and Wales distribution rules automatically for Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Official source: GOV.UK
14. Check Northern Ireland bereavement payments and benefit/pension changes
If applicable: If the survivor/deceased used Northern Ireland benefit or pension services.
Use the Northern Ireland Bereavement Service/nidirect routes to report relevant benefit changes and check whether Bereavement Support Payment or other help may apply.
Soon after the death, especially where a benefit or bereavement payment has a claim deadline.
Northern Ireland Bereavement Service and the relevant nidirect benefit/pension route.
National Insurance numbers, relationship details, benefit/pension information and date of death.
Do not use a Great Britain-only benefit process for a Northern Ireland claim when nidirect gives a separate route.
Official source: nidirect
