1. MoneySavingExpert.com
  2. Family
Skip to content of guide

In this guide...

Tip Email

FREE Weekly MoneySaving email 

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe

What to do when someone dies

Death in the family, or loved one? Here's a full checklist

Sarah Monro
Sarah Monro and Rose Harris-Birtill
Updated 26 September 2024

It's tough enough to know what to do when someone dies – and that's even before bureaucratic and financial issues. This checklist features crucial tips to make things easier and ease the load after someone's died. If you're planning for the future, see our Death Happens guide for tips to help minimise financial trauma for loved ones.

Skip to content of guide

In this guide...

While every effort's been made to ensure this article's accuracy, it doesn't constitute legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances. If you act on it, you acknowledge that you do so at your own risk. We can't assume responsibility and don't accept liability for any loss which may arise as a result of your reliance upon it. Huge thanks to Withers LLP, Laytons LLP, The Natural Death Centre Charity and Age UK.

What to do when someone dies – the timeline

This guide has been written with English and Welsh law in mind, though much of it will apply to Scotland and Northern Ireland. See the Scottish Government and NI Direct for more.

Key timeline

What to do immediately

  1. Call a doctor and tell the deceased's nearest relative(s)

    If someone's in a life-threatening emergency, call 999 immediately. The St John Ambulance website also has info on what to do if you're with someone who is unconscious and not breathing, including how and when to resuscitate.

    When someone dies at home, you should call their GP immediately. If this isn't possible, call an ambulance. If the death was in a hospital or hospice, tell the doctor.

    If the death was expected, the doctor should issue a medical certificate with the cause of death. You should also call their nearest relative as soon as possible (if that's not you).

    • If the death was unexpected

      Police may also arrive if it was an unexpected death – don't worry, it's a normal part of the process. For unexpected deaths, or if the person didn't see their GP within 14 days of their death (28 days in Northern Ireland), the doctor or police will report the death to a coroner, an official who looks into sudden deaths to help find out why they happened.

    • What happens if a post-mortem's needed?

      If the death's reported to the coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland), they'll investigate and may ask for a post-mortem (a medical exam carried out after death) or an inquest. When this happens, the funeral might need to be put back while it's completed, so be prepared for this.

      If a post-mortem needs to be carried out, the body may be taken to a hospital mortuary, or a public mortuary linked to a coroner's office. For this, the coroner will arrange with a funeral director to transport the body there.

      Once the post-mortem's completed, and no further examination's needed, it'll usually be kept there until relatives or funeral directors make arrangements for it to be taken to an undertaker's mortuary or elsewhere for visitors to pay their respects, or taken home.

      It's worth noting that once the post-mortem's complete, you aren't under any obligation to use the same funeral director that the coroner used to transport the body. Funeral director quotes can vary hugely – see funeral director tips below.

      How long the post-mortem takes varies widely, depending on the circumstances. Don't worry though, the usual requirement to register the death within five days (eight in Scotland) doesn't apply here. See Gov.uk or Scottish Govt for full info.

  2. Try to keep calm

    Once you've done all you can and are waiting for medical help or family to arrive, try to keep calm. Some find keeping busy with simple practical tasks can help. Call a friend or relative for support, and take things gently. The death of a loved one is a huge trauma that will take its toll, even if you aren't feeling it now.

    For support from other Forumites who've been through it themselves, see the Death and Grief forum discussion. It's free to join – feel free to share your own thoughts and feelings if it helps.

    The shock may also affect your memory down the line, so dig out a notebook and pen. Keep it handy to note down any key info the doctor gives you, or any important details later on. Alternatively, you could make notes on your phone or as an email and send it to yourself.

  3. The body can be kept in a mortuary, at home or elsewhere

    Many hospital mortuaries will allow you to keep the body there until the morning of the funeral. If no post-mortem's needed, it can be kept at home, at an undertaker's mortuary, or elsewhere for visitors to pay their respects until the funeral.

    If you choose to keep the body at home, your local community nurse or doctor may be able to help with preparing it. You can also contact the Natural Death Centre Charity for advice on how to do this.

    If they were religious, it's also worth noting some religions have their own rites. For example, in Judaism the body is never left alone. Contact your local chaplain, rabbi, imam or priest for guidance – they'll have done this many times before.

    • They were a registered organ donor – do I need to do anything?

      If they died in hospital, the hospital will automatically check if they were on the Organ Donor Register, so don't worry, you don't need to do anything here. Sadly, deaths at home or outside of hospital don't qualify for organ donation.

    • Can we donate their body to medical research?

      This needs to have been formally arranged with a scientific institution before the person's death. So if this wasn't the case, you won't be able to donate the body to medical research after they've died.

      Even if the person did make arrangements for their body to be donated after their death, institutions can still turn down bodies if there have been complications. So it's sensible to always have a fallback plan for a burial or cremation, just in case.

  4. Check their pets are looked after

    It's easy to forget about this, but check in case they were the sole owners of any pets at home. If you're unsure, check with close family and friends. Neighbours may be able to help with this too.

    Pets can be left to others in a will, but they'll still need to be looked after, even if just until other arrangements can be made. Relatives and friends may be happy to take them in, but if not, contact your local RSPCA branch.

  5. Secure any property and cancel milk or newspapers if they lived alone

    If the person lived alone, don't forget to ensure the house is safely locked with all windows closed properly. Sadly, empty houses can be a magnet for burglars, so it's important to check it's secure as soon as you can.

    Cancel any daily newspaper or milk deliveries – ask a friend or relative to help with this if you don't feel up to it.

    • Will the deceased's home insurance still cover their property?

      After someone dies, if their home insurance was only in their name, sadly the cover becomes void. But if the policy was in joint names, it will still cover the surviving policyholder (though the names on the policy will need to be updated).

      If the policyholder has died, you may be able to get an extension or grace period for cover to continue, perhaps for a week or so, while new arrangements are made.

      This is at the discretion of the insurer, so if you're concerned about the property being left empty without cover, speak to the home insurance provider as soon as you can. See the Home Insurance guide.

    • Named driver on the deceased's car insurance? Contact the provider ASAP

      If you're a named driver, you're unlikely to be covered if the policyholder passes away – if the policy was in their name, it becomes void after they die. Speak to the deceased’s provider as soon as possible, explaining the situation, to gain a bit of time to make new arrangements.

      If it has a grace period where cover's continued while you make other arrangements, remember to check how long this is for. See Cheap Car Insurance.

  6. Don't be afraid to ask for help, or seek grief counselling

    When you lose someone close to you, it's likely you'll go through a huge range of emotions, often including shock, pain, and anger. These are all a normal part of the grieving process. Look after yourself – you and your family are most important.

    If you're struggling to cope with it all, several places offer grief counselling, which can make a huge difference. Gov.uk has a handy search for bereavement services near you, and charities Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Care can help. The Age UK website also has useful info on where to get extra support after a bereavement and Mind has a list of specific support groups.

    Talk to your doctor if you're having trouble sleeping, and accept help where it's offered. One Forumite notes:

    As someone who has lost their husband, acknowledge it will be stressful and be kind to yourself. It's a powerful force which can knock you for six. Take things slowly and one day at a time, an hour at a time if you need it.

    - MrsCautious

    Tip Email

    FREE Weekly MoneySaving email 

    For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

    FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe

What to do in the first few days

  1. Share tasks with family and friends

    This is a key point to keep in mind throughout the tasks to come. With a funeral to organise, family and friends to tell, and other organisations to notify, make sure you aren't taking on too much at an already stressful time.

    Don't feel that you need to sort everything yourself. Share tasks between family and friends if you can. Is there a friend who can sort food for the wake, or a family member who could help phoning relatives? If so, ask if they'd mind lending a hand.

    This can be a huge help in taking the pressure off, and the extra hands will help keep costs down. It'll also help others who are grieving feel useful too.

  2. Notify other relatives and friends

    Before you, or anyone else, start tackling the finances of someone who's passed away, there are key practical and emotional steps to take. As well as telling relatives and friends, several other parties will need to be told.

    Of course, exactly when you do these is up to you, and again, don't feel you have to do it alone. Other relatives or close friends can help here too. Draw up a list of those who need to know, and divide it between you to ensure you don't overlap.

    Firstly, wait until you feel strong enough. Then sit down with a cuppa and start working through the checklist.

    It's a tough process, so take it gently. Just do as many as you feel you can, and take breaks when you need them. Several organisations will need to be notified too (see more below), but this can come later. The immediate list to tell includes:

    • Other relatives and friends who haven't already been told.
    • Their employer (or university/school) so they can update their records.
    • Their family doctor so they can update their patient list.
    • Your employer. If a dependant's died, your employer has a legal duty to offer reasonable time off for you to arrange and attend the funeral, often known as compassionate leave. Some may offer more time or paid leave, but that's at their discretion. 

      A dependant here is a husband or wife, partner, child, parent, a friend or family member who lives with you but doesn't pay rent, or someone who relies on you to care for them (an elderly neighbour, for example).

What to do by day five or eight

  1. Register the death within five or eight days

    You can't finalise the funeral date until this has been done, so it's an important step. You'll usually need to do this within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or eight days in Scotland – though this doesn't apply if the death's reported to the coroner.

    If you don't feel up to going alone, ask a close friend or family member to come along for support.

    To do this, go to the register office for the area where the death happened – use Gov.uk to find it. You may need to book an appointment, so it's worth phoning first.

    • What documents do you need?

      You'll need the medical certificate of the cause of death, as well as other info, such as their date of birth. A relative will usually need to register the death, if possible, but others are allowed to do this in some circumstances.

      There's a useful Gov.uk tool to help you find exactly who can do it, and what documents are needed, for where you are in the UK. The registrar will then give you a certificate for burial or cremation, and a certificate of registration of death (often known as a 'death certificate').

    • You may be able to notify lots of government organisations in one go

      In some areas, you can use the Government's Tell Us Once service to report the death to most Government organisations in one go, including council tax, benefits, passport and driving licence info. Not all councils do this though – check if yours does when you're registering the death, as they'll need to give you a number to use for this.

  2. Get any extra death certificate copies when you register

    When you register the death, you'll also be able to buy copies of a death certificate. This is an official copy of what's on the death register, often needed as proof by companies and financial institutions, such as banks and insurance firms.

    These are generally about £10 to £15 each when registering the death, depending on your area. But this can go up if you want more copies at a later date, so it's worth buying as many death certificate copies as you'll need now to avoid paying extra down the line – typically you'll need about five.

    As this'll be useful for sorting out their financial affairs later, including the will, consider getting several to save you having to wait for the original to be returned each time.

  3. Get extra cash to help – could be £1,000s

    Sadly, in many cases (especially if you're self-employed) you'll end up out of pocket if you've had to take time off work due to your spouse's death.

    If you're the surviving husband, wife or civil partner, you may be entitled to Government bereavement support to help with costs. If you don't feel up to applying on your own, ask a friend or relative to help.

    While help was previously only available if you were married or in a civil partnership, a recent law change means co-habiting parents are now eligible for bereavement support payment. See our Bereavement support payments guide for full details.

    Gov.uk's Death and Benefits section is also worth a visit to check if you're entitled to any other financial help. For example, you may be able to get widowed parent's allowance if you were widowed before 6 April 2017, you're below state pension age and have at least one child who is a dependant.

    See our Benefits Check guide to see if you're entitled to other help.

What to do by the end of the first week, if you can

  1. Check for a funeral plan

    Before you start planning the funeral, check if there's already a financial funeral plan in place. This is where a burial or cremation's already been arranged and paid for. This will be useful as it may cover some of the cost, or they may have even paid the venue ahead of time. Their next of kin (if this isn't you) is likely to know if there's a funeral plan.

    If you can't find a plan but think they may have made one, you can use the Funeral Planning Authority's Trace Your Plan form, which will check whether there is a plan in place with any of its registered providers. You could also check in case a copy has been put with their other financial documents, written into their will (see check for a will below), left with their solicitor or bank, or even check with local funeral directors, or older friends.

    Even if they don't have a copy of the funeral plan, just the name of the designated funeral director or funeral planning firm should be enough for you to contact them for more details. To help, you can find a list of most funeral planners and contact details on the Funeral Planning Authority website.

    • Check for their funeral preferences too

      Do check if they'd also written down their general preferences for the funeral, such as whether they wish to be buried or cremated, types of flowers and the service they'd like. Again, this may be with the will, but also check with family and friends for a factsheet, or similar document with their wishes in.

  2. Organising the funeral

    Funerals generally take place within the first week or two. So when you feel strong enough, it's worth starting to think about what's needed. A few points to consider:

    • Burial or cremation? If the will doesn't state the deceased's wishes, the executor/administrator (see below for info) or nearest relative usually decides if the body will be buried or cremated.
    • Check if any burial rites are needed. If they were religious, contact their local church, mosque, temple or synagogue for guidance.

      They'll often be experienced with any rites needed, and can offer help and support with the funeral, as well as info on whether there's a family burial plot or pre-purchased grave.
    • Ask others to help. Share tasks between family and friends. Is there a family member who can sort food for the wake, or a friend who's handy with flowers? If so, ask for their help to share the load.
    • Donate the flowers. After the funeral, consider donating any flowers to a local organisation, such as a hospice, so others can enjoy them too. Some choose to ask for charitable donations instead.

    • Tips to help if you're doing the flowers yourself

      There's no need to use a florist if you'd prefer not to. Many use simple bunches of flowers from their own garden, or from the deceased's garden. As well as being MoneySaving, it helps to make the day more personal, and it's better for the environment too.

      For ideas and feedback from other MoneySavers, see the Funeral flowers and Wreath or spray? forum discussions.

  3. Using a funeral director? Get as many quotes as you can

    Funeral directors can provide help with the practical aspects of a funeral. This could include moving and preparing the body, taking care of the paperwork or helping you arrange a service. You don't have to use a funeral director, but if you decide to, get a decent range of quotes if you can, and check exactly what's included.

    It's entirely understandable if you don't feel up to doing this at such a difficult time, so ask a close friend or family member to help.

    Funeral director fees can vary hugely. On top of unavoidable costs such as cremation or burial fees (known as 'disbursements'), the Natural Death Centre charity told us funeral directors can charge between £400 and £2,500+ for their services. This usually includes the coffin – but always check when getting quotes.

    The Gov.uk site recommends checking a firm is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors, the National Federation of Funeral Directors or SAIF (Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors). They have codes of practice and must give a price list if you ask.

    Not all undertakers are members, though; you can also find listings and reviews at the charity-run site Funeral Advisor.

    If hiring a funeral director, don't assume the dates they're free will match up to the dates your chosen funeral venue is available. Always check before you book.

    A final point here – don't be pressured into spending more. Forumites report some funeral directors can suggest costly extras which bump up the price. There's no shame in stating you're on a budget from the outset and asking for a basic funeral. Don't be afraid to say no to pricey add-ons. One Forumite reports:

    I asked what the difference was between the funeral at a few thousand and the one at £800, they admitted NONE! Same things, same cars, same people.

    We opted for this and it was a lovely and dignified funeral. Don't let yourself be bamboozled into thinking you have to spend thousands at a sad time.

    Share your experiences and tips to help others in the Cost of Funerals forum discussion.

  4. Paying for the funeral

    A funeral's a huge financial transaction, yet it's entirely understandable many won't be in a fit state to think about cost at such a difficult time. So ask a friend to help with any quotes and getting prices down if you can – show them these tips to help.

    The average cost of a funeral is about £4,000. Yet it'll vary depending on the area, any extras, and how much family and friends are able to do.

    • Find the basic fees. Check the funeral and burial or cremation costs in advance, and make sure you know where the money's coming from before you add on any extras. Fees vary depending on your local authority, so use the Gov.uk council finder to check near you.

      Sadly some Forumites have reported councils can charge extra for 'non-residents', so do check this first. See the Non-Resident Burial discussion.
    • Set a budget. Once you know how much the basics will cost, if you'd like any extras, set a budget for them. Simple, cheaper options (such as a flower-free ceremony or an eco-friendly funeral) will help.
    • Get a friend to help you haggle. It's entirely understandable many won't be in a fit state to do this, so get a friend to help with any quotes and getting the price down on any extras (such as flowers and musicians) if you can. See How to Haggle for tips.
    • Get help with funeral costs. These can be covered by the deceased's estate (see pay off debts), existing funeral plans or insurance, or family and friends may want to contribute. Banks can also release money from the deceased's account for funeral bills, even if a grant isn't set up yet (see below).

      If you're on a low income, you may be able to get a payment to help with burial or cremation fees if you've no other way of paying, but you may have to pay some of it back. Apply via the Jobcentre or get a claim form from Gov.uk.

  5. Is cremation cheaper than burial?

    It's a hugely personal choice, but which is the most cost effective depends on where you are, and what options you go for. Don't assume cremation's cheaper – in some areas crematoria fees are greater than burial fees, so check with the council.

    Here is a breakdown of the costs:

    • Burial vs cremation – the key costs

      To give you an idea of cemetery fees, the natural death centre charity tells us burial plots vary hugely from about £200 to £20,000, depending on area and owner. Grave preparation fees vary from about £150 to £1500. In addition, cemeteries where gravestones are erected will have further charges.

      Disbursements

      Some charges may be referred to as ‘disbursements’ – these are fees paid on a family’s behalf to third parties by the undertaker, for example, gravedigging and the cost of a grave, as well as celebrant fees or the cost of a vicar or church.

      Funeral directors will charge their own fees on top, yet you don't have to engage their services if you'd rather organise the funeral and care of the body yourself. The natural death centre says many cemeteries and crematoria will help families directly, particularly if council-owned (though they may be less keen if the crematorium's owned by a private company or funeral director).

      As a rough guide, crematorium fees vary between £250-£1,400, but it varies depending on the area, ownership and other options such as the time of day and length of time the chapel is booked for.

      An unattended, direct cremation is one where the body is taken to the crematorium but there is no service.

      A regular, attended cremation organised by an undertaker costs around £4000 in total, whereas if you choose an unattended direct cremation, it’s around £1500.

      It’s not a legal requirement to employ a funeral director – you can arrange a DIY service. That stands for ‘direct it yourself’. Some people might choose, for example, to buy a coffin online, care for the deceased person at home, and drive the coffin to the crematorium or cemetery in a favourite vehicle. You need to factor in the physical and emotional demands of doing this. According to the Natural Death Centre charity, families contacting them for guidance find being involved at this level very cathartic and psychologically beneficial.

      And finally, Britain is unique in that you can be buried on your own property, which of course is free.

    • Direct cremations can be a less costly alternative

      If you don't feel up to organising a cremation directly yourself, but don't want the extra expense of a formal ceremony, a 'direct cremation' is another option.

      For these, a company will collect the body, cremate it and return the ashes for about £1,000 (some funeral directors also offer this service, though it's likely to cost more).

      It doesn't include a memorial ceremony or celebration of the person's life, so it leaves you free to organise this separately in your own time at a later date, when you feel ready.

      You can find listings and reviews of funeral directors at the charity-run site Funeral Advisor, or search online for companies that offer direct cremations near you. You can also contact your council's cemeteries and crematorium department directly to arrange cremation. See Gov.uk to find yours and check costs in your area.

  6. You can transport them yourself if you wish

    Though most people tend to use a funeral director to transport the body to the funeral, there's nothing stopping you from doing this yourself if you wish.

    There are no restrictions on transporting a body within the UK unless you're crossing the Scottish border – in this case, you'd need to contact the coroner or Procurator Fiscal first. If you're moving the body yourself, it's worth taking the doctor's certificate with you in case it's needed. Rosie Inman-Cook from the Natural Death Centre says:

    Hospitals and nursing homes have no right to stop you from removing a body. Some poorly-trained staff don't know this, and may say only a funeral director can remove it. But the next of kin has a right to do this if they wish.

  7. Check for a will

    It's a good idea to start looking for a will in the first week if you can. It may have useful info on their burial or cremation wishes, as well as any details of a funeral plan.

    • The will says who'll deal with their finances. It says who the executor is. This is the person who's responsible for dealing with the estate – the term for all their property, money, debt, businesses, insurance and pensions. It also says who'll get any assets left – more on this below.

    • If there's no will... An administrator is appointed to take the role of executor, see Gov.uk for more. The closest living relative's expected to take charge in the order listed below.

      If someone dies without making a will, they're said to have died 'intestate'. Without a will, distributing assets is trickier, but there's a system to help. Hopefully, it'll be sorted out among family members, but if not, there are rules on this to help (see assets info).

      If you can't find a will, ask their solicitor (if they had one), as well as checking with their next of kin. Otherwise, check with the Probate Registry to see if the will was registered there (it costs £10). If you have a solicitor, it's also worth talking to them for help.

    • If there's no will: order of responsibility

      1. The husband, wife or registered civil partner of the deceased (but not their unmarried or unregistered partners).

      2. Their children (if aged over 18) or if their children are deceased, their children's descendants (for example, grandchildren, if they are over 18).

      3. The deceased's parents.

      4. The deceased's brothers or sisters with the same mother and father, or descendants of the brothers or sisters.

      5. Their half-brothers or half-sisters (who had either the same mother or the same father) or their descendants.

      6. Their grandparents.

      7. Their blood uncles and aunts (brothers and sisters of the deceased's parents, as long as they had the same mother and father as the deceased), or their descendants.

      8. Their half-uncles and half-aunts (brothers and sisters of their parents who had only the same mother or father), or their descendants.

      9. The Crown (the state) if there are no relatives.

What to do over the next few weeks onwards – dealing with the estate

  1. Who sorts out the deceased's finances?

    When someone dies, if they had any outstanding debts to settle, or any assets to distribute, someone else will need to take charge.

    Banks and other institutions will normally only take instructions from an 'executor' (a person appointed in the will to carry out the deceased's wishes) or 'administrator' (if there's no will, the deceased's next of kin):

    Who sorts out the deceased's finances?

    If there's a will...

    The person(s) named in it as 'executor'             

    If there's no will...

    An appointed relative, known as 'administrator'

    The executor or administrator is the person authorised to distribute the deceased's assets, so they'll need to sort out their finances. If you're the executor or administrator, you may need to apply for a legal document, known as a grant, to prove this.

    • What's a grant, and who needs one?

      The grant is a document that confirms you're authorised to deal with the deceased's property, money and possessions. You can use it to show you've the right to access funds, sort finances, and share out assets as needed.

      It may not be needed if the estate passes to the surviving spouse or civil partner because it was held jointly, and doesn't contain land, property or shares. To apply and for more info on the process, see Gov.uk.

      If none of the executors named in the will are able to apply, or if an executor isn't named, contact your local Probate Registry for advice.

    • How long do I have to apply?

      Don't worry if you don't feel up to doing this straight away. Helpfully, you don't have to apply within a specific time limit. See Gov.uk to apply.

      That said, starting this process as soon as you can will help you get things in order sooner. It'll help you meet any inheritance tax deadlines needed later on.

    If inheritance tax is due, at least some of it must be paid before your grant will be issued, then in most cases you've six months to pay it in full (see Inheritance Tax info). Most big banks have arrangements to send cash from the deceased's bank account directly to HMRC to cover this. See HMRC for how to arrange it, plus further help.

    Once you've done this you'll have 'obtained probate', the term for when someone successfully applies to deal with the estate.

    These processes apply to England and Wales. In Scotland, this is known as 'confirmation' and the process is different. See the Scottish Government or NI Direct for more info.

  2. Tell ALL organisations and close accounts

    If you're the executor or administrator, you'll need to sort official affairs, distribute assets, and pay and recover debts. It'll take a bit of organisation, so keep track of who you've told as you go along.

    Go through all paperwork, internet bookmarks and files to find who they have accounts with. They may have had their own financial factsheet with the details to help, so check with their next of kin.

    While only an executor or administrator can access sensitive financial info, anyone can help with other administrative tasks. It helps share the load, and keeps other relatives involved too.

    Tell every organisation you can think of that the deceased had a relationship with, including government bodies, financial companies and utilities. This makes sure you fulfil your responsibilities, get back money owed and ensure no more charges are taken. 

    Free bereavement notification services

    The Tell Us Once service can be used to report the death to most Government organisations in one go. Check if your council uses it when registering the death, as they need to give you a number to use. Once you've got this number, you can use Tell Us Once online (Northern Ireland has a similar bereavement service). 

    For private organisations (such as banks, broadband providers and utility companies), you have a number of free options:

    • Life Ledger covers over 1,000 organisations. If you want to make life easier for your relatives or loved ones in future, it also offers a 'register a life' service to hold the details of accounts, pensions, subscriptions etc. This aims to make it easier to contact relevant organisations after a death.

    • Settld is a similar service, which covers over 750 organisations, including financial services, online/social media and utility providers.

    • There's also The Death Notification Service, which covers 30 financial institutions, including Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide and NatWest (see the full list).

    Not using a notification service? Institutions to contact

    We've put together a list of some of the main organisations to contact. They won't all apply to everyone, but they'll help you make a start:

    • Government organisations to contact

      If you can't use the Tell Us Once service, organisations to notify include:
       

      • The relevant tax office to close all tax matters, any state pension and other benefits. You can find contact details at HMRC. It also has a quick Bereavement Guide tool to find the right contacts for your circumstances.
      • National insurance contributions office (if self-employed) to ensure the deceased isn't charged. See HMRC for contact info.
      • Child Benefit Office (within eight weeks) to stop any relevant benefit payouts. See Child Benefit contact details.
      • Local authority for council tax, parking permits, social services, to stop any benefits or other matters. See Gov.uk to find the council.
      • UK Identity and Passport Service to cancel their passport. See the Gov.uk for a contact form.
      • DVLA to cancel their driving licence, tax and change vehicle ownership. See Gov.uk for contact details.
      • Land Registry to change ownership on any inherited property, if needed. See the Land Registry website.

    • Financial organisations to contact

      • Bank or building society to close accounts and retrieve money, or pay debts if necessary, cancel standing orders and direct debits.
      • Savings providers to close accounts and retrieve money. Look on a recent statement for contact details, or try Googling the provider's name.

        It's worth noting we've heard banks may move the deceased's savings over to an account with lower interest after they've been told of the account holder's death. So check this directly with the bank. If it's been moved, speak to them about it as soon as you can.
      • Mortgage, loan provider, credit card or store card companies to close accounts and pay any debts if necessary.
      • Insurance companies to claim on any life insurance, or to cancel any existing policies such as home, car, travel or medical insurance.
      • Pension company to claim any payments and close the account. Look on a recent statement for contact details, or try Googling the name of the company.
      • Student Loans Company to get a student loan cancelled. See the Gov.uk website for contact details.
      • Any other company the deceased had a rental, hire purchase or loan with to close accounts and clear debts, if necessary. Again, look on a statement for contact details.

    • Utilities and others to contact

      • Utility companies (gas, electricity, water) to close accounts and settle bills, if necessary, or to reclaim money that's owed. Look on a recent bill for contact details. The Consumer Council for Water also lists water companies in England and Wales.
      • Landlord or local authority if they rented a property to stop rent payments being taken, and possibly reclaim the deposit. See Gov.uk to find contact details for your local authority.
      • Communication firms (mobile and home phone, broadband, digital TV) to close accounts and settle bills, if necessary, or reclaim money owed. Look on bills for contact details, or try Googling the name of the company for info. Also see Can I cancel mobile and TV contracts? below.
      • Royal Mail if any mail needs redirecting. See Royal Mail and scroll down to the Special Circumstances Application Form.
      • The deceased's employer. It's worth informing their employer immediately for compassionate reasons, but it's also worth another call as the deceased may have insurance policies linked to their work, which you may be able to claim on.
      • Any other organisations or clubs such as their dentist, optician, any social clubs, trade unions and their church or place of worship, to cancel any memberships, collect funds owed or settle outstanding payments.
      • Email and social media. Most big email providers and social media sites have information on how to request an account closure after someone's died, such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter and Yahoo. If you can't find instructions online, it's best to contact the site directly.

    Have a second credit card?

    If you have a second credit card on the deceased's account, it'll be frozen once you've told the bank. If you rely on that card, ask for an account in your name, or see Best Cards for Spending for top deals.

    One Forumite's tip to help when you're contacting companies:

    Always ask for the 'death department' – most have dedicated advisers when calling about a departed. This is really useful as they treat you sensitively and help you do what needs to be done. Get a name would be my advice.

    - PennyForThem 

  3. Can I cancel mobile and TV contracts?

    If the deceased had contracts for subscriptions such as TV, phone and broadband, whether you can cancel any outstanding payments depends on the contract.

    Your best bet is to get in touch with the company directly, let them know of the death and ask the company to cancel the contract. Put it in writing if you can.

    This won't always work, but it's worth a try. If the company accepts it, the contract should simply be cancelled, with nothing further to pay. If it doesn't, the remaining payments may need to be taken out of the deceased's estate as a debt, if there's enough left (see pay off debts).

    Robin Paul of Withers LLP says: "Whether you can cancel depends on the contract. The legal position is that contracts will carry on against the estate. But in practice, most will cancel if asked (the potential publicity if they didn't would be unattractive if nothing else!) Contact them ASAP, and cancel what can be cancelled.

    "Don't forget, the deceased's bank will have cancelled all direct debits and standing orders. So if contracts are to run on, other payment arrangements will have to be made."

  4. Beware using others' passwords

    Even if you've login details for someone who's passed away, it's likely you'd be in breach of the website's terms by using them, which could get you into trouble legally.

    Always go through the proper channels to notify the organisation, and get permission to gain access to online accounts where you need it.

    It'll take a little more time, but it'll help to avoid future complications.

  5. Get extra help with financial decisions if needed

    There are several crucial, difficult financial decisions to make after the death of a loved one. Yet it's an emotional time, so don't make snap judgements – wait until you have a clear head.

    Remember, you're not alone. Several places offer extra help. If you have a solicitor, use them to help you with big financial decisions.

    Otherwise, get help from a friend or relative in the know, or contact Citizens Advice. Dedicated grief counselling's also available if you need extra emotional support – see above for more help.

    If you're struggling to cope with it all, don't suffer in silence. Gov.uk has a list of useful organisations that can help, including charities Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Care.

  6. Debts are owed from the deceased's estate – not passed onto family

    Before money, possessions and property can go to inheritors, any debts and tax need to be paid.

    Debts will normally need to be paid, but only if the deceased had money left. This includes mortgages, loans, credit and store cards, hire purchase agreements and any other commercial debt.

    • Are outstanding debts passed to family? Importantly, only the deceased's estate is liable for any debts – not their family. If there's only enough to pay some debts, these generally need to be prioritised in this order: secured debts (such as mortgage), then funeral costs, then other debts (including taxes).

      We've simplified this to give you an idea, but the order of payment required under the law is complex. There are rules on how much everyone should get if there isn't enough to pay all of these. Contact Citizens Advice or consult a lawyer.
    • Make the effort to find other beneficiaries. If there is estate left to share out, it could be worth advertising this in in The Gazette (the official public record for notices such as these) and the local newspaper covering the area (particularly if it is a property). Notices cost about £70 but can be claimed back from the estate. 

      Under the Trustee Act 1925 placing the advertisement means the executor would not be liable if someone comes forward later that the executor did not know about at the time of the notice. You must wait at least two months and one day from the date of the advertisement before sharing out the estate. This does not protect the beneficiaries though.
    • Debts in joint names. The debt will now be the sole responsibility of the surviving person. If you're concerned about the impact this may have, contact Citizens Advice or talk to a lawyer. See the Debt Help guide for where to get free one-on-one debt counselling help.
    • Check for insurance. This is well worth investigating in case debts are covered by the deceased's life insurance or payment protection insurance. If so, see how to claim on life insurance below.
    • Mortgages must be paid. This applies even if there's no insurance. In the worst case, you may have to sell the property, but if you're in trouble, contact the lender to discuss options. Also talk to a solicitor or Citizens Advice, and see the Debt Help guide for info on free debt counselling help.

  7. Reach an agreement with creditors to avoid future problems

    If all the deceased's assets pass to their surviving partner there may be no money left in the estate to pay any debts, which could mean they're written off.

    However, creditors can apply for an 'insolvency administration order' within five years of the death. This can legally divide any property or assets that automatically pass to a surviving partner, and force a sale.

    So first, try to come to an agreement with lenders, and try to pay them yourself if absolutely necessary. This is a complex issue, so again, discuss it with a solicitor or the Citizens Advice.

  8. Reclaim any debts owed

    If the deceased has any commercial debts or cash owed to them, or was in credit on their bills, the executor or administrator needs to recover this money.

    This can then be added to the estate, meaning there'll be more available to pay any outstanding debts or go to beneficiaries. Sadly, if there's no written agreement, it may be tough to recover non-commercial debt.

    Julia Abrey from Withers LLP says: "How easy (and enforceable) this is depends on what evidence of the debt can be found. If you think the deceased made a loan, but no paperwork comes to light, check their bank statements for large unidentified payments.

    "Bear in mind, of course, these may not be loans – they could be gifts, or even money the deceased spent on themselves."

  9. Find lost bank accounts for free

    If you can't find all the deceased's bank, building society or savings accounts, website My Lost Account can find out where they held an account, though it can take up to three months to trace. There are also sites that can help you trace lost pensions and investments too. See the Reclaim Forgotten Cash guide for a full how-to.

  10. Claim on any life insurance plans

    Life insurance (also known as level term life assurance) usually pays a lump sum to the spouse or family after the insured person dies. So if the deceased had a life assurance or mortgage life assurance plan, call the provider to let it know they've passed away, and to start the claims process.

    If you've got any info on the policy, make sure it's to hand when you call, as the policy number and details will help to speed up the process. The provider will then let you know what paperwork's needed to formally put in the claim.

    If you don't have the policy details, don't worry. The provider should be able to trace details of the plan through the policyholder's name, date of birth and address. It'll also need to see the death certificate to validate the claim, so be prepared to send this through.

    How long it'll take to come through depends on the circumstances. As a rough guide, it can be anything from a week to several months if the insurance company feels it needs to investigate further. The Marie Curie website has advice about how to make a claim on a life insurance policy.

  11. Sort out inheritance tax

    If you're the executor or administrator, you'll need to sort out any inheritance tax (IHT). This is paid on the estate if, after debts are settled, it's worth more than £325,000 (and there aren't any other exemptions that need to be applied – see HMRC for more).

    Anything above this is taxed at 40%, which reduces to 36% if 10% or more of the post-IHT value of the estate was left to charity.

    This normally needs to be paid within six months from the end of the month when the person died. You can defer tax and pay in instalments on some types of assets, including land, some shares and the value of any business owned (not the assets).

    It's worth noting that if assets are being transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner, no inheritance tax will normally be charged. The rules on this are complex, see HMRC for help. The Inheritance Tax guide also has useful info on how the system works.

  12. Value the estate

    Once debts and taxes are paid, you'll need to work out the total value of the deceased's assets, known as their estate.

    Bank accounts can be added up relatively easily, but property may need a proper valuation to work out what it's worth. Insurance payouts after death may count as part of the estate, depending on the policy, so factor this in.

    Gifts given by the deceased within seven years of their death may need to be taken into account, as well as assets they had an interest in (for example, if they gave property to their kids but lived in it rent-free). See Gov.uk for more on how to do this. Again, this is complex, so get professional advice to ensure you get the right figure.

    • What happens to joint assets? If you hold a joint bank or savings account, or property, with the deceased, if they were your spouse or civil partner it normally passes to the surviving partner and doesn't form part of the estate.

  13. Dealing with property inheritance tax: Negotiate with creditors to avoid having to sell

    Inheritance tax and property are a slippery pair. This is where problems arise as, unfortunately, in some cases you may be forced to sell the family home.

    • If it's a joint ownership ('joint tenancy')

      If the deceased and their spouse or civil partner owned the home under a joint tenancy, the surviving partner automatically inherits it (it doesn't pass under the will).

      This means the surviving spouse or civil partner can continue living there with no inheritance tax to pay.

      If it's a joint ownership but the owners weren't married or in a civil partnership (or covered under another exemption, see HMRC), it'll be liable for inheritance tax.

    • If it's a split ownership ('tenancy in common')

      If the surviving joint owner and the deceased each own a portion of the property (eg, a half or a third), they're 'tenants in common' and the deceased's share passes under their will.

      Again, if it passes to the surviving spouse or civil partner (or is covered under another exemption – see HMRC for details) it's exempt from inheritance tax. Otherwise, it will be taxable.

      A tenancy in common may mean debts have to be paid out of that portion. A creditor would find it more difficult to claim debts out of a share of the home under a joint tenancy, but in some circumstances it will be possible. So in either case, negotiate with any creditors to avoid having to sell.

      Free debt help counsellors can give one-on-one advice. See the Debt Help guide.

    • If you inherit property but didn't have joint or split ownership

      Unless you're covered under one of the inheritance tax exemption rules (see HMRC), its entire value will count towards the estate when working out the inheritance tax. Be prepared – in the worst case you may have to sell the property to raise funds for the tax bill or other debts.

    Remember, if debts aren't paid a creditor can force a sale to recover money owed, so try to negotiate first.

    Note that inheritance tax on a property can be paid in instalments, as the Government recognises it's tricky to raise cash on property quickly. So if you can afford to pay 10% of the tax on the property a year for 10 years, this could be a lifeline to help keep it.

    Inheritance tax rules can be very complicated, so you may want to speak to a tax adviser if you can afford it. You can use the Chartered Institute of Taxation's Find a Tax Adviser search. For more help, see the Get free tax help section of MSE's Tax Codes guide, and see Gov.uk for more info.

  14. Share out the remaining assets

    Once you've gone through all of these steps, you'll be pleased to hear there's only one big financial task left to tackle – share out what's left of the estate.

    Here, whatever's left once all debts and taxes are paid needs to be distributed. If there's a will, this should be simple as it should state where any remaining assets go.

    • What if there's no will?

      If there isn't a will, the assets are distributed under the 'rules of intestacy' (though the beneficiaries can agree among themselves to re-distribute it as they wish).

      Generally these mean that if the deceased was married or in a civil partnership with an estate worth £250,000 or less, everything goes to the husband, wife or civil partner (this is known as 'succession' in Scotland and different rules apply, see the Scottish Government).

      There's a complex set of rules around this depending on the surviving relatives, the amount involved and which part of the UK you're in.

      These rules mean non-married partners or those not in a civil partnership might not be entitled to anything, though – see below.

  15. Unmarried partners won't automatically get a share

    If you weren't married or in a civil partnership, sadly you won't automatically get a share of the estate. If they hadn't provided for you in another way, you've the option to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 in England and Wales.

    Other dependants may also be able to claim under this too, see Gov.uk to apply. It's worth seeking legal help if you want to do this, or if any family disputes arise – see the Citizens Advice for help.

  16. Share your experiences on the forum

    The Deaths, Funerals and Probate forum board is a useful resource for sharing your thoughts and getting support from others who've been through this before.

    Whether you want help with funeral flowers, probate or the sale of property, the forums are well worth a visit. Plus if you've any tips to pass on, share them in the What to do when someone dies forum discussion.

Tip Email

FREE Weekly MoneySaving email 

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

FAQs Privacy Past Emails Unsubscribe
Share this guide
MSE Forum

Have your say in our forum!

What to do when someone dies

Spotted out of date info/broken links? Email: brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com

MSE tools & calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances 

Credit Card Eligibility

See which cards are likely to accept you

Tool

Loans Eligibility

See which loans you've the best chance of getting

Tool

MSE App

Get MSE on your Apple or Android phone

Tool

Broadband Unbundled

Compare broadband deals & save

Tool

Mortgage best buys

Compares thousands of mortgages

Tool

Mortgage Calculator

Eight calcs for all your mortgage sums

Tool
Tools and calculators

What the * means above
If a link has an * by it, that means it is an affiliated link and therefore it helps MoneySavingExpert stay free to use, as it is tracked to us. If you go through it, it can sometimes result in a payment or benefit to the site. It's worth noting this means the third party used may be named on any credit agreements.

You shouldn’t notice any difference and the link will never negatively impact the product. Plus the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by these links. We aim to look at all available products. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the top deal, it is still included in exactly the same way, just with a non-paying link. For more details, read How this site is financed.

MoneySavingExpert.com Limited is an appointed representative of MONY Group Financial Limited. MONY Group Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 303190). The registered office address of both MONY Group PLC and MONY Group Financial Limited (registered in England No. 3157344) is MONY Group House, St. David's Park, Ewloe, Chester, CH5 3UZ.