Advice Grief, Loss & Bereavement What to do when someone dies: the first week

What to do when someone dies: the first week

Q: What do you do in the first 24 hours after someone dies?

In the first 24 hours, you need to get the death verified by a doctor. If they died at home, call the GP or NHS 111. If they died in hospital, the medical team will handle this. A medical examiner will then review the cause of death — this is a legal requirement since September 2024 for all deaths not investigated by a coroner. If the person is eligible for organ donation, a specialist nurse will discuss this with you.

Q: How many death certificates should I order?

Order at least 5 certified copies of the death certificate when you register the death. Each copy costs £11 at the time of registration. You'll need them for banks, building societies, insurers, solicitors, pension providers, and the probate application. Ordering copies later is more expensive and takes longer.

Q: What is Tell Us Once and how does it work?

Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to multiple government departments in one go — including HMRC, the DWP, the Passport Office, DVLA, and the local council. The registrar gives you a reference number when you register the death. You then use it online or by phone within 28 days. It saves you from contacting each department separately.

Q: What financial help is available after someone dies?

If you were married to or in a civil partnership with the person who died, you can claim Bereavement Support Payment — a lump sum of up to £3,500 plus monthly payments of up to £350 for 18 months. Claim within 3 months to receive the full amount. If you're on certain benefits, you may also be eligible for Funeral Expenses Payment, which covers burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000 for other costs.

Q: Do I need to arrange the funeral in the first week?

No. You don't need to finalise funeral arrangements in the first week. It helps to check whether the person had a pre-paid funeral plan or left funeral wishes in their will. But the detailed planning — choosing the type of service, writing the eulogy, sending invitations — can happen in weeks two and three. Focus on registering the death and looking after yourself first.

Practical steps in the first week after a death

Written by Eliza Elliott, Legacy Adviser at Octopus Legacy. Last updated: March 2026.

Death is tough enough without everything else that comes with it. Most people learn what to do after someone dies the hard way — in the middle of grief, with no plan and no warning.

This guide walks you through each practical step in the first week. It won't take away the pain, but it can take away the confusion.

Step 1: Get the death verified by a medical professional

The first thing that needs to happen is having the death confirmed by a doctor. What this looks like depends on where the person died.

If they died at home

Call their GP surgery or the NHS 111 service. A doctor will come to confirm the death. This doesn't have to happen immediately — there's no legal requirement to move the person straight away. You can take the time you need.

If the death was expected (for example, after a terminal illness), the GP or community nurse may already have a plan in place for this.

If they died in hospital or a hospice

The medical team will verify the death for you. They'll guide you through what happens next and let you know when you can spend time with the person.

If the death was sudden or unexpected

Call 999. The paramedics will attend and, if necessary, the police will be informed. This is standard procedure — it doesn't mean anything suspicious has happened.

Step 2: Get the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD)

Once the death has been verified, a doctor will issue a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD). You need this to register the death.

The medical examiner system

Since 9 September 2024, all deaths in England and Wales that aren't investigated by a coroner must be reviewed by an independent medical examiner. This is the biggest change to death certification in 70 years.

The medical examiner will:

Review the proposed cause of death with the doctor who completes the MCCD
Speak with you or your family to answer questions and hear any concerns about the care the person received
Confirm the MCCD is accurate before it's issued

This review adds a short wait — typically a day or two — but it's designed to provide an extra layer of reassurance. The conversation with the medical examiner is optional but worth having.

When is a coroner involved?

Around 31% of deaths in England and Wales are reported to a coroner. Common reasons include:

The cause of death is unknown or uncertain
The person didn't see a doctor during their last illness
The death may be linked to an accident, medical treatment, or lack of care
The death was sudden and unexplained
It's suspected the person died by suicide
The death happened during or shortly after surgery

If a coroner is involved, they'll investigate and issue the paperwork when they're ready. You won't be able to register the death until the coroner releases it — but you can still start making other arrangements.

Step 3: Consider organ and tissue donation

If the person who died is eligible for organ donation, a specialist nurse will raise this with you — usually within hours of the death. This conversation typically happens in hospital.

How organ donation works in the UK

Since May 2020, England, Wales, and Scotland all operate an opt-out system (also called deemed consent). This means all adults are considered potential donors unless they:

Opted out on the NHS Organ Donor Register
Are in an excluded group (under 18, lacked mental capacity, or hadn't lived in the country for 12 months)

Even with deemed consent, your family will always be consulted before donation goes ahead. If you know what the person wanted, it helps the medical team — and it helps you. This is one of the reasons it's so important to talk about death while you're still alive.

Northern Ireland moved to an opt-out system in June 2023, bringing all four UK nations into alignment.

Tissue donation

Even when organ donation isn't possible, tissue donation (corneas, skin, bone, heart valves) may still be an option. This can happen up to 48 hours after death and can help many more people.

Step 4: Arrange care for the person who died

What happens next depends on where the person died and whether a coroner is involved.

If they died in hospital or a hospice and a coroner isn't needed

They'll be moved to the hospital mortuary or collected by a funeral director. There's no rush to make decisions — you can take time to visit them and say goodbye.

If they died at home and a coroner isn't needed

You have two options:

A funeral director can collect them. You can still visit them at the funeral home whenever you want.
You can keep them at home. Most people don't realise this is an option. Whether for hours or days, you're free to care for the person yourself. Keep the room cool, close windows, and take whatever time you need. You can read more about planning a funeral when you're ready.

If a coroner is involved

The coroner will arrange for the person to be cared for while they investigate. Once the investigation is complete, the person will be released to you or the funeral director as soon as possible.

Step 5: Register the death

Registering the death is a legal requirement and gives you the documents you need to arrange the funeral, access the person's finances, and begin dealing with their estate.

When does it need to be done?

In England and Wales, you must register the death within 5 days of the medical examiner confirming the MCCD is ready — not 5 days from the date of death. In Scotland, the deadline is 8 days.

If a coroner is investigating, the registration timeline is paused until they release the case.

Where do I register?

At a register office — usually in the area where the person died. You can find your nearest register office on GOV.UK. Call ahead to book an appointment.

Who can register the death?

A relative should register the death if possible. If not, the following people can also do it:

Someone who was present at the death
A hospital administrator (if they died in hospital)
The person arranging the funeral

What to bring

The medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD)
The person's birth certificate (if available)
Their NHS medical card (if available)
Their marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
Proof of their address

What you'll receive

The registrar will give you:

A certified copy of the death certificate — you'll need this for banks, insurers, solicitors, and probate. Order at least 5 copies. Each one costs £11 at the time of registration. Ordering later is more expensive and slower.
A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the green form) — the funeral director needs this before the funeral can go ahead.
A Tell Us Once reference number — this lets you notify multiple government departments of the death in one go.

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a free government service that notifies HMRC, the DWP, the Passport Office, DVLA, local council, and others — all from a single phone call or online form. The registrar will give you the reference number and explain how to use it.

You have 28 days to use Tell Us Once after registering the death. If you miss the window, you'll need to contact each organisation individually.

For more detail on who to notify, read our full guide to reporting a death to different organisations.

Step 6: Start thinking about the funeral

You don't need to finalise funeral plans in the first week. But it helps to start thinking about what the person wanted — and what you can afford.

Check for existing plans

Before making any decisions, check whether the person had:

A pre-paid funeral plan
Funeral wishes written in their will
A letter of wishes or notes saved with their important documents

Choose a funeral director

If you'd like professional help, look for a funeral director who belongs to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF). Both require members to follow a code of practice and provide transparent pricing.

You don't have to use a funeral director — it's legal to arrange a funeral yourself. But most families find the support helpful during a difficult time.

Financial help with funeral costs

If the person who died had limited savings, you may be able to claim:

Funeral Expenses Payment — covers burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000 for other costs. You must be receiving certain benefits and claim within 6 months.
Bereavement Support Payment — a lump sum of up to £3,500 plus monthly payments of up to £350 for 18 months. You must have been married to or in a civil partnership with the person who died. Claim within 3 months to get the full amount. Call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 151 2012.

For a full breakdown of funeral types and costs, read our guide to planning a funeral.

Step 7: Look after yourself

The first week after someone dies is overwhelming. You're grieving and dealing with paperwork at the same time. That's hard — and it's okay to ask for help.

Practical things that can wait

Not everything needs to happen in the first week. These can wait:

Notifying banks, insurers, and utility companies (use Tell Us Once for government services first)
Sorting through the person's belongings
Dealing with their estate or probate
Cancelling subscriptions and memberships

Where to find support

Cruse Bereavement Support — free helpline on 0808 808 1677 or cruse.org.uk
At a Loss — a directory of bereavement support services at ataloss.org
Samaritans — available 24/7 on 116 123 or samaritans.org
Your GP — can refer you for counselling or support if you're struggling

You don't have to do everything alone. And you don't have to do it all now.

What to do in the first week: quick summary

When	What to do	Key detail
Immediately	Get the death verified	Call GP, 111, or 999 depending on circumstances
Day 1–2	Medical examiner review	Independent review of cause of death (since Sept 2024)
Day 1–2	Consider organ/tissue donation	UK uses opt-out system — family always consulted
Day 1–3	Arrange care for the person	Funeral director collection or keep at home
Day 2–5	Register the death	5 days from MCCD (not date of death). Order 5+ certificates
Day 2–5	Use Tell Us Once	Notify government departments in one go. 28-day window
Day 3–7	Start thinking about the funeral	Check for pre-paid plans or wishes in the will
Throughout	Look after yourself	Ask for help. Not everything has to happen this week

Prepare now — so your family doesn't have to figure it out alone

The best way to help the people you love is to have things in order before they need them. Writing a will, setting up a lasting power of attorney, and recording your funeral wishes all make the first week after your death easier for your family.

Write your will with Octopus Legacy →

What do you do in the first 24 hours after someone dies?

Get the death verified by a doctor. If they died at home, call the GP or NHS 111. In hospital, the medical team handles this. Since September 2024, a medical examiner must review the cause of death before the certificate is issued. If organ donation is possible, a specialist nurse will speak with you.

How long do you have to register a death in the UK?

5 days in England and Wales from when the medical certificate is confirmed — not from the date of death. In Scotland, it's 8 days. If a coroner is investigating, the deadline is paused. The registrar can also grant a short extension if the medical examiner review causes a delay.

What is the medical examiner system and how does it affect registering a death?

Since September 2024, all non-coroner deaths in England and Wales are reviewed by an independent medical examiner. They check the cause of death and offer to speak with the family. It adds a day or two but provides reassurance and a chance to raise concerns about care.

Can you keep someone at home after they die?

Yes. If the death was expected and a coroner isn't involved, you can keep the person at home for as long as you need. There's no legal requirement to call a funeral director immediately. Keep the room cool and take whatever time feels right.

How many death certificates should I order?

At least 5. Each costs £11 at the time of registration. You'll need them for banks, insurers, solicitors, pension providers, and probate. Ordering later is more expensive and slower.

What is Tell Us Once and how does it work?

A free government service that reports the death to HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and the local council — all at once. The registrar gives you a reference number. Use it online or by phone within 28 days.

What financial help is available after someone dies?

Bereavement Support Payment offers up to £3,500 lump sum plus £350 a month for 18 months if you were married or in a civil partnership. Claim within 3 months for the full amount. Funeral Expenses Payment covers burial or cremation fees plus up to £1,000 if you're on certain benefits.

Do I need to arrange the funeral in the first week?

No. Check whether the person had a pre-paid plan or left wishes in their will. But detailed planning can wait until weeks two and three. Focus on registering the death and looking after yourself first.