What to do when someone dies
Immediately after a death – practical matters
The days immediately after a bereavement can bring feelings of numbness, or of intense emotion. But there are also practical things that need to be done. When someone dies there are three practical things that need to be done in the first few days:
1. Get a medical certificate – you’ll get this from a doctor (GP or at a hospital) and you need one to register the death.
2. Register the death within five days of the death – you’ll then get the documents you need for the funeral.
3. Arrange the funeral – you can use a funeral director or do it yourself.
There are useful government guides to how to do each step in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Step by step guidance to what you need to do, when and what information you will need to be able to do it.
There are many other good sites full of tips and advice, our favourites are below.
