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After Someone Dies
Handling the administrative processes after a death can feel overwhelming, especially when you are grieving. There are several practical and legal steps that need taking based on different circumstances and the details surrounding the death, such as whether or not it was expected. Read on learn more.
Statutory requirements
The first thing that needs to happen when someone dies is that the death needs to be verified or confirmed by a doctor, GP, registered nurse, or paramedic. This is known as the Verification of Death (VoD) or Confirmation of Death in Scotland. It is the legal process of confirming that a death has occurred and documenting it formally in line with national guidance.
Once a death has been verified, the cause of death must be established by a registered doctor who can then complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The doctor will issue a formal notice saying they've signed off the MCCD and telling you how to register the death.
If the cause of death is unclear or if there are unusual circumstances, the doctor will report the death to the Coroner who may need to investigate further or request a post mortem or an inquest before any further steps can be taken.
After a death is verified, it must be registered in order to generate a Death Certificate and other important documents. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must register a death within 5 days including weekends and public holidays. In Scotland, a death must be registered within 8 days. In extenuating circumstances, contact the local Registrar to request an extension. Please note, if you are registering a stillbirth, the time limit is within 42 days in England or Wales, within 21 days in Scotland, and within one year in Northern Ireland. Read more about registering a stillbirth and possible financial support here.(https://www.gov.uk/register-stillbirth?step-by-step-nav=4f1fe77d-f43b-4581-baf9-e2600e2a2b7a)
Who can register a death
Registering a death is a Statutory Requirement that must be undertaken by one of the following individuals:
• a relative or next of kin
• someone who was present at the death
• the person responsible for making funeral arrangements (but not the funeral director)
• the owner or occupier of the place of death
• the executor (the person named by the deceased to carry out their Will)
• the administrator (the person appointed when there is no Will)
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
A death cannot be registered until the MCDD has been issued by a doctor. If this has already been done, then you can go ahead and register the death by contacting the Registry Office closest to the place where the person died. Find them at the following websites:
In England and Wales (https://www.gov.uk/register-offices)
In Scotland (https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files//registration/reglist.pdf)
In Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/district-registrars-northern-ireland)
Contacting the Registrar
When you contact the Registrar, it's helpful to have other important information about the deceased to hand, such as:
• their full name and any previous names
• their date and place of birth, and their Birth Certificate if possible
• their last address (plus proof, if possible)
• their occupation
• dates of marriage/s or civil partnership/s
• whether they had a state pension or other benefits
• the date and place of death
Other useful details include:
• NHS medical card
• National Insurance number
• passport
• driving licence
• the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving or late spouse or civil partner (including their NI number)
• Child Benefit number
• Tax Reference number
• any organ donation information
If a death has been reported to the Coroner (or the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland) then the death cannot be registered until their investigations are complete or you have their permission. In these circumstances, a Death Certificate will not be issued until the death has been registered. Read on to learn more about when a coroner needs to be involved.
What happens next
Once a death has been registered, the Registrar will issue a Death Certificate, a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (‘Green Form’) and a Notification of Death Form (DB8). Remember, registering a death is a legal requirement. Failure to register can lead to penalties, fines and imprisonment. There are also certain processes that cannot happen until a death has been registered and the Death Certificate has been issued, including:
• A burial or cremation cannot take place until the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (‘Green Form’) has been issued by the Registrar.
• Probate cannot be applied for without a certified copy of the Death Certificate, meaning the deceased's estate will not be able to be distributed.
• Most financial institutions require a certified copy of the Death Certificate before they will process any insurance claims or pensions, or settle an account.
Once a death has been registered, the Registrar will issue three important documents:
The Death Certificate is a legal document containing the following information about the deceased:
• date and place of death
• name and surname of the deceased
• sex, age and occupation of the deceased
• cause of death
• information about the person who reported the death
• if the deceased is a child, the name of the parent
You may need multiple original copies of the Death Certificate to send to organisations such as banks or insurance companies. Photocopies are not permitted unless they are certified by a lawyer and this can be expensive, so it's worth working out how many you need upfront. Each original Death Certificate at time of registration costs £11.00 in England & Wales, £8.00 in Northern Ireland, and £10.00 in Scotland.
The Certificate for Burial or Cremation (GR021 in Northern Ireland), also known as the 'Green Form', is free document that authorises the funeral proceedings and must be given to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority. A funeral cannot take place without this form.
The Registration or Notification of Death Form (DB8) is free form that must be filled in and sent to the Department of Works & Pensions (Form 3344SI in Scotland or Form 36/BD8 in Northern Ireland).
Statutory Requirements are requirements that are enforced by law. These are the essential steps that must be taken after a person dies, and they differ depending on the circumstances.
Different circumstances
A Coroner is a government official who has the power to order or conduct an inquest into how a person died and, if the identity of the person is unknown, to investigate and confirm their identity. A Coroner is called upon if there are any unusual circumstances surrounding a death, for example if it was sudden, violent or unnatural, or if the doctor could not determine the clear cause of death. A Coroner may also be called to investigate a death by suicide, medical negligence, industrial disease or an accident.
The Coroner may request a post-mortem (also known as an autopsy) to establish a cause of death. This is undertaken by a pathologist who examines the body to try to establish how the person died. If the examination still cannot establish the cause of death, or if the person died a violent or unnatural death, or in prison, or in police custody, the Coroner may request an inquest. At an inquest, the Coroner will hear evidence from witnesses and experts to help decide an outcome.
You can read more about the role of a Coroner on the Government website,(https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/when-a-death-is-reported-to-a-coroner) or for Scotland, read about the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) (https://www.copfs.gov.uk/services/bereavement-support/guide-for-bereaved-family-members/)which is the equivalent in Scotland to a Coroner.
Deaths are treated as unexpected if:
• The cause of death is unknown
• The death was violent or unnatural (including suicide)
• The death was sudden or unexplained
• The deceased wasn’t seen by the doctor who signed the medical certificate within 28 days before death or after they died
• The death occurred during an operation or before the person came out of anaesthetic
• The medical certificate suggests the death may have been caused by an industrial disease or industrial poisoning
• The person who died was in police custody at the time of death.
When the cause of the unexpected death is clear:
• the doctor will sign the medical certificate (MCCD).
• The MCCD goes to the Registrar.
• The Coroner issues a certificate to the Registrar stating a post-mortem isn’t needed.
• If registration is possible then the Green Form is issued.
When the cause of the unexpected death is unclear:
• The Coroner will undertake a post mortem to ascertain the cause of death.
• If no further examinations are needed, the body is released for funeral.
• The coroner sends a Pink Form (form 100B) to the Registrar stating the cause of death, and a ‘Certificate of Coroner - form Cremation 6’ if the body is to be cremated.
When an unexpected death is violent or unnatural, or occurs in prison / police custody:
• A coroner must hold an inquest.
• Following the outcomes of the inquest, the Registrar will be informed of the cause of death for registration.
• The Coroner can issue an interim certificate to prove the person is dead for probate purposes.
If the death at home was expected, the deceased is often surrounded by their loved ones and a combination of healthcare professionals. The moments immediately after death are a special time for the loved ones to say their final goodbyes. The verification of Death (VoD) will usually then be undertaken by a present medical professional. After this, the cause of death must be established by a registered doctor who can then complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). These steps allow for the relevant appointee in the deceased person's family (such as their next of kin) to register the death by contacting the local Registrar.
If the death at home was unexpected, the doctor will report the death to the Coroner if the cause of death is unclear or if there are any unusual circumstances. Read on to understand more about what happens following unexpected deaths.
When a person dies in hospital, a medical professional will confirm the death and usually issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The deceased person will then be moved to the hospital mortuary until decisions are made about where they will lay at rest until the funeral, such as at a Chapel of Rest or their home.
When a person dies in a hospice, the Verification of Death (VoD) will be issued by a medical professional. If the death was expected or if the doctor has attended within the last 14 days, the doctor can also issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
When a person dies in a care home, the death will usually be verified by a medical professional. In circumstances when there is no such member of staff present and the death was expected, verification can still be achieved by the care staff being supported by a medical professional remotely. A GP must then be notified so that they can certify the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
In any of these settings, if the cause of death is unclear or if there are any unusual circumstances, a doctor will report the death to the Coroner for investigation.
If someone dies outside the UK, the death needs to be registered in accordance with the rules of that country. If you were travelling with them, contact the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate nearest to you. You will need to register the death and obtain a death certificate and they can help you with this process.
If you are in the UK when a family member or close friend dies abroad, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-the-fcdo)emergency line on 020 7008 5000. You can also check their guidance on what to do when a British National dies abroad.(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-to-do-after-a-british-national-dies-abroad)
If a death occurs on a ship or aeroplane, it must be registered in the country in which the craft is registered. In many countries you can also register the death with the UK Authorities.
If you wish to bring the body home, known as repatriating, you will need to get a certified English translation of the Death Certificate and get permission to remove the body issued by a Coroner, or its equivalent, in the country where the person died. You must also tell the Coroner in England if the death was violent or unusual.
If you wish to bring cremated remains home you will usually need to show the Death Certificate and the Certificate of Cremation, but each country has its own rules for this so contact the authorities as described above or search here (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/death-abroad-bereavement-packs)for more information. You should also contact your airline to check their requirements for transporting ashes.
Once the person’s body is home, you can take the death certificate that was issued overseas to the UK Register Office nearest to where the funeral will take place. The Registrar will give you a ‘certificate of no liability to register’ to give to the funeral director so the funeral can take place. If you are arranging the funeral yourself, the certificate must be returned to the Registrar within 96 hours of the funeral taking place.
There is lots more guidance on the Government website about what to do when somebody dies abroad, which you can access here.(https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad) Alternatively, contact Homeland International (https://homeland-international.co.uk/)or Global Funeral Repatriation (https://www.globalfuneralrepatriation.co.uk/)for further assistance.
The rules and regulations following a death can change depending on where the death took place and whether or not it was expected. Read on to learn more.
What else should you consider
Last Will and Testament
A Will is a legally binding document that outlines how a person wishes to distribute their estate, including all remaining property, possessions, savings, and event pets, after their death. The Will also usually names and provides contact details for executors, heirs, and guardians for any dependents. Wills are extremely important because they help you know who to contact, what steps to take, and how to fulfil the deceased person's wishes or settle their affairs.
Finding the Will
The deceased person may have told a close friend, family member, or solicitor where their Will is located, or they may tucked it away amongst their possessions or personal files, so it's a good idea to ask their immediate circle if you're struggling to locate it. There are also services such as the National Will Register who might be able to assist you.
Once you've found the Will
Contact the named Executors of the Will so they can apply for probate and settle any financial matters for the deceased. Visit the Government website (https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/if-theres-a-will)for more information about Wills and Probate. The will should also outline what funeral arrangements are wanted by the deceased, and this can be organised by the Executor, next of kin, or somebody else appointed in the Will.
If the deceased didn't leave a Will
If someone dies intestate, which means they died without leaving a Will (or valid Will), their next of kin will need to apply to be an administrator of the estate. Any assets and remaining possessions may be distributed in accordance with the law, which often means the legal relatives will inherit them. For further details, view the Government information on dying intestate.(https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/if-theres-not-a-will) Without a Will, the next of kin can also appoint a funeral director and organise the funeral. If there is no next of kin, the executor should undertake these tasks. If there is neither an executor nor next of kin, the local County Council can step in.
A Letter of Wishes is not a legally binding document, but often accompanies the Will and provides additional information on what the deceased would like to happen after they've died. This might include their wishes for their funeral and memorial arrangements, where they wish their ashes to be scattered and under what circumstances, special wishes about the distribution of their possessions, and potential legacy requests.
Government Organisations
The Government’s Tell Us Once (https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once)service is a helpful way to inform all the government departments in one move. The Registrar can fill in a form to provide access to this service for you, or they will provide you with a reference number. If this service is not available where the deceased person lived, or if you do not have a Tell Us Once reference number, you will need to contact the following government organisations yourself, which you can do here.(https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/report-without-tell-us-once)
• Department for Work & Pensions
• HM Revenue & Customs
• National Insurance (NI) Contributions Office
• Child Benefit Office
• Tax Credit Office
• HM Passport Office (HMPO)
• Personal, Workplace & Armed Forces Pensions
• Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• Office of the Public Guardian to cancel / change power of attorney
• Social Security Scotland
• Student Loan Company
Other Companies
There may be many other organisations relating to the deceased person that you need to inform, and some will want to see original or certified copies of the Death Certificate. Here is a helpful list to guide you:
• Employers / line manager / HR team
• Schools, colleges, universities, and other education providers
• Lawyers and legal representatives
• Financial institutions (banks, credit cards, mortgage, bitcoin, PayPal)
• Loan providers (car, personal, business loans etc)
• Accountants and financial advisers
• Insurance providers (household, life, health, car, travel, pet, building)
• Utility providers (electricity, gas, water)
• Housing authority, tenancy agency, or landlord
• Phone line providers (mobile and landline)
• Internet, wifi, email, and social media providers
• Subscriptions (newspapers, magazines, milk, food, books, music, online gaming)
• TV license and streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc)
• Computer subscriptions (Dropbox, iCloud, Antivirus, Microsoft, Adobe)
• Home security providers
• Gym, health clubs, and sport clubs memberships
• Loyalty cards and club cards
• Charities and nonprofits the deceased person supported
Other People
There may also be other individuals in the deceased person's life that you could notify, such as the following:
• Neighbours
• Friends and family who live abroad
• Clubs and community groups (both online and in person)
• Local services such as hair dressers and pet sitters
• Student groups, peers, teachers, and tutors
Notification Services
There are several free useful notification services to help you close or alter accounts more easily from one place:
• The Bereavement Register (https://www.thebereavementregister.org.uk/)helps to stop unwanted mail following a death.
• The Death Notification Service (https://www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk/)lets you notify member organisations of a person's death.
• Life Ledger (https://lifeledger.com/)allows you to close or change the accounts of a deceased person.
• The Digital Legacy Association (https://digitallegacyassociation.org/)helps with digital assets planning & digital legacy safeguarding.
Once you've got a grasp of the statutory requirements following a death, there are a few more important things to think about and several other people, companies, and government organisations that you may need to inform.
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