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What to do when someone dies

Holding handsWhen someone dies there are many things to do‚ often at a time for great personal distress when you feel least able to cope. 

This guide gives brief‚ practical information about the things you need to do and where to go for more help and advice.
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What to do first

If someone dies at home the family doctor and nearest relative should be contacted immediately.  If the death was expected the doctor will give you a Medical Certificate showing the cause of death.  The doctor will also give you a Formal Notice that states that they have signed the Medical Certificate and tells you how to get the death registered.  If the person is to be cremated two doctors must sign the Certificate‚ but this can be done later.

If the person dies in hospital the hospital staff will contact the next of kin.  The body will usually be kept in the hospital mortuary until the funeral directors or relative arrange a chapel of rest or for the body to be taken home. Hospital staff will arrange for the nearest relative to collect the deceased person’s possessions.  A Medical Certificate and Formal Notice will be issued‚ as described above.


 

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Unexpected death

If someone dies unexpectedly or the family doctor has not seen the person within 14 days of death‚ the death is reported to the coroner. The coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating unexpected deaths.

what next?For more detailed information about what to do first‚ see the DWP booklet D49 What to do after a death in England and Wales.
 

 

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How to register a death

You must register the death with the Registrar of Births‚ Marriages and Deaths for the district where the death occurred.  You can find the address in the phone book or from a doctor‚ local council‚ post office or police station.  If you cannot contact the registrar for the district where the death occurred‚ you can make a formal declaration in any district and this will be forwarded to the correct one.  If this happens there may be some delay in certificates being issued.


This is the information the registrar will need:

  • the Medical Certificate showing the cause of death
  • the full names of the deceased person (and any other names they once had)
  • the date and place of death
  • the usual address of the deceased
  • their date and place of birth
  • their most recent occupation
  • the name‚ occupation and date of birth of their spouse or civil partner.

You should also take these if possible:

  • the deceased person’s medical card or NHS number
  • the deceased person’s birth and marriage or civil partnership certificates‚ if available.

The registrar will give you the following.

  • A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the Green Form) or a Certificate for Disposal in Northern Ireland‚ which gives permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation to be made.
  • A Certificate of Registration of Death containing a social security form (BD8) that can be used to claim any arrears of benefit due to the deceased person.  Where appropriate this should be completed and sent to the local social security office.
  • Leaflets about bereavement benefits for widows/widowers/surviving civil partners if appropriate.
  • A Death Certificate if you want one.  This will be a certified copy of the entry in the death register and will be needed for the will and any claims to pensions‚ savings‚ etc.  It may be best to get several copies‚ as copies required at a later date will be more expensive.

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Death abroad

If someone dies abroad‚ or on a foreign ship or aircraft‚ you should register the death according to the local regulations of the country and get a Death Certificate.  Also register the death with the British Consul so that a record can be kept in the UK.


 

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Arranging a funeral

Do not make funeral arrangements until you are sure that the death does not have to be reported to the coroner as this could affect the date when the funeral can be held.

The deceased person may have left instructions in their will or a letter about their wishes.  There may be an organ donor card or request for their body to be given for medical research.  Check also whether they had paid into a funeral plan to cover some or all of the costs. If there is no will or instructions the next of kin should decide what to do.  If you arrange the funeral‚ you are responsible for paying the bill so first check where the money will come from and whether it will be enough.  Most funeral directors will wait until probate has been granted or funds are released from the deceased person’s bank account. 

Funeral directors will give quotations to help you decide which company to use.  The National Association of Funeral Directors has a code of practice that it encourages members to display.  Its members must offer a respectful basic funeral if asked to do so‚ including:

  • the funeral director’s services
  • a coffin suitable for burial or cremation
  • transfer of the deceased person from the place of death
  • care of the deceased before the funeral
  • a hearse to the nearest crematorium or cemetery
  • all necessary arrangements and paperwork.

There may be extra charges for embalming‚ flowers‚ crematorium and cemetery fees‚ doctors and clergy.  Ask the funeral director to explain these.
 

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Arranging a funeral without a funeral director

You do not have to use a funeral director when someone dies.  Many people now have ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) funerals using coffins made of alternative materials such as wicker or cardboard.  These DIY funerals are usually a lot less expensive and more personal and intimate.  Environmentally friendly funerals such as woodland burials are also becoming more popular.

The more advance planning you can do the better‚ so this may not be a good option if the person has already died.


what next?If you want to arrange a funeral in your local cemetery or crematorium‚ contact your local council for advice.  If you would like to know more about DIY funerals contact the Natural Death Centre.


 

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Bereavement support

There are many organisations offering support to individuals who have suffered a bereavement‚ including counselling‚ information and advice or practical support according to the needs of the bereaved person.


what next?If you‚ or someone you know‚ might benefit from support‚ one of the following organisations may be able to help: Cruse Bereavement Care‚ The Samaritans‚ Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project and The War Widows’ Association of Great Britain. 

 

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Help with funeral costs

Some people may be able to get a grant to help pay for funeral costs from the Social Fund but there are strict rules about who can get help and how much. Because of this it is important to check whether you can get a payment before making funeral arrangements.  You may not be able to get a payment if the deceased person had a pre-paid funeral plan.

To qualify for a payment you or your partner must be receiving a means-tested benefit such as:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Housing Benefit or Housing Benefit for Rates (Northern Ireland)
  • Council Tax Benefit
  • Working Tax Credit (which includes the disability or severe disability element)
  • Child Tax Credit (paid at a rate that exceeds the family element)

The other important point is that it must be reasonable for you to have taken responsibility for the funeral expenses.  This usually means that you are the partner (including same-sex partners) of the deceased person.

If the deceased person had no partner‚ a close relative or a close friend can be considered for a funeral payment.  This is not usually given if another close relative is not on benefit because it will be assumed that they can afford to pay for the funeral.
 

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What will a funeral payment cover?

A funeral payment from the Social Fund will cover the costs of a simple‚ respectful‚ low-cost funeral including the following:

  • buying a new burial plot‚ or cremation
  • transporting the body to a funeral director’s premises or place of rest
  • transporting the coffin and bearers by hearse and another car from the funeral director’s premises or place of rest to the funeral
  • reasonable costs of one return journey within the UK for the responsible person to arrange and attend the funeral
  • up to £700 extra funeral expenses to cover other items such as a coffin‚ religious costs‚ flowers‚ other transport costs

If you get a funeral payment it will have to be paid back from the deceased person’s estate (if they left any money) but a house or personal things left to a widow‚ widower or surviving civil partner are not counted as part of the estate.

 

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When and how to claim?

You can claim a funeral payment from the date of death and up to three months after the date of the funeral.  These payments are usually made by cheque in the funeral director’s name.


what next?To claim you need form SF200‚ which you can get from your local Jobcentre Plus office.  Look in the phone book to find your nearest office.

 


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Tax

When someone dies you need to tell the tax office as soon as possible.  You can get a leaflet from HM Revenue and Customs that explains what you need to do. This is IR45 What to do about tax when someone dies.

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Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax (IHT) may have to be paid on the estate of the deceased person if it is over a certain amount and these amounts change every year.  There is no IHT to pay on estates left to a spouse or civil partner.

If there is IHT to be paid this has to be done before probate is granted.



what next?If you think you might be liable for IHT it is worth taking financial advice. Contact the Probate and Inheritance Tax helpline.
 

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Case study

Gladys and Henry had been married for 52 years when Henry died.  Their solicitor was sorting out the will but had said it would take some time for probate to be granted…

‘I was so shocked and upset when Henry died that it didn’t even occur to me to think about how I would manage for money.  Henry always looked after that sort of thing.  Then I realised I would only have my pension to run the house and pay all the bills with until the will had been sorted out.  My neighbour suggested going to see Age Concern in case there was any help available.

‘I saw a very nice young woman at Age Concern who explained that I could get 25% off the Council Tax straight away‚ as I now live alone‚ and she helped me to claim Pension Credit and Council Tax Benefit too.  When the probate has been given and I can have Henry’s savings and investment bonds I’ll have to stop claiming these benefits (except for the 25% off Council Tax).  But for now‚ I’m very relieved and can concentrate on getting other things sorted out.’

 

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Dealing with the property of the deceased

Probate is the legal process of settling the estate of a deceased person.  Before you start to sort out the person’s possessions you need to find out whether they made a valid will. If you cannot find it‚ or can only find a copy‚ it may be held by a bank or solicitor.  Also check with anyone you think the deceased person might have asked to look after their will.

A will says what should happen to the deceased person’s estate – that is‚ their money‚ property and possessions.  If there is no will the person is said to have died ‘intestate’ and there are different rules for dealing with the estate.

If there is a will‚ the person will usually have appointed an executor or executors to deal with the estate.  If no executors were appointed or there is no will the court will appoint an administrator.  Executors and administrators are known as personal representatives.

You need to decide whether you are entitled to deal with the deceased person’s estate.  If you are‚ you may have to apply to the local Probate Registry for a grant of representation.  You can do this in person or through a solicitor.

Sometimes there is no need to apply for a grant of representation because‚ for example‚ the value of the estate is very small (usually less than £5000).  In this case you need to write to the bank‚ building society‚ or whoever is holding the money.


what next?The Principal Probate Registry gives information and advice to anyone dealing with someone’s estate‚ whether they left a will or died ‘intestate’.
 

 

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Financial help for bereaved people

If you are widowed or become a surviving civil partner there are benefits you may be entitled to.  The type of benefit you can get will depend on your age.  The amount you can get is based on your spouse or civil partner’s National Insurance (NI) contributions.

You may be able to increase your state pension by using your deceased partner’s NI contributions instead of your own.  You may also be able to inherit some of his or her additional pension (also known as SERPS or S2P).

You may be may be entitled to a lump sum bereavement payment but only if:

  • your spouse or civil partner was not entitled to a Category A state pension when they died‚ or
  • you were under state pension age when your spouse or civil partner died.


Pension age will be equalised at 65 for both men and women from 6 April 2020.  The change from the current state pension age of 60 for women to 65 will be phased in over a 10-year period from 2010 to 2020.


what next?For more information see DWP leaflet WIDA5JP.   If you are widowed or your civil partner dies.  Also NP45 A guide to bereavement benefits and NP46 A basic guide to state pensions.

 

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War pensions

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme replaced war widows’ pensions in 2005.  If you are already getting a war widow’s pension this will not be affected.  If your late spouse or civil partner served in the armed forces you may be entitled to help.



what next?Contact the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency for more information.

 


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Means-tested benefits

A death in the family can cause money problems.  Some of the benefits you may be able to get are listed below (we have not included all of them – just the main ones for older people):


  • Pension Credit – for people aged 60 or over – tops up low income to a set level
  • Housing Benefit – help to pay rent
  • Housing Benefit for Rates (Northern Ireland)
  • Council Tax Benefit – money off Council Tax
  • Social Fund grants or loans
  • help with health costs.


what next?For more information about benefits see Age Concern’s information guide Financial help in retirement. Help is sometimes available from benevolent funds linked to a spouse or civil partner’s‚ or your own‚ past employment.  Most libraries keep a copy of A guide to grants for individuals in need or you could contact a local advice agency for help.


 

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Useful organisations

Age Concern
Find details of your nearest local Age Concern on our site or call the Age Concern Information Line on 0800 00 99 66 (free call)

In the rest of the UK‚ contact your national Age Concern office (see below).

Age Concern Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 9024 5729 (national call rate)

Age Concern Scotland (Scottish Helpline for Older People)
Tel: 0845 125 9732 (lo-call rate)

Age Concern Cymru
Tel: 029 2043 1555 (national call rate)

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
National network of free advice centres.
For details of your local CAB call 020 7833 2188 (this number gives local contact details only‚ not advice).

Cruse Bereavement Care
A counselling and advice service for bereaved people that also offers advice‚ information and practical support.
Tel: 0844 477 9400 (lo-call rate)

General Register Office (GRO)
The GRO registers and supplies official information on births‚ marriages and deaths and has a responsibility for England and Wales. There are equivalent offices for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Tel: 0845 603 7788 (lo-call rate)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
For information about taxes‚ including Inheritance Tax. Details should be in phone book.
Inheritance Tax helpline: 0845 302 0900 (lo-call rate)

Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project
A helpline that offers a listening ear to lesbians and gay men who have been bereaved or are preparing for bereavement‚ as well as to family and friends‚ colleagues and carers. Open Monday‚ Tuesday and Thursday evenings‚ 7–10.30 pm.
Tel: 020 7403 5969 (national call rate)
 
National Association of Funeral Directors
Offers support and information about funerals in the UK.
Tel: 0845 230 1343 (lo-call rate)

Natural Death Centre
Provides the only independent funeral advice service in the UK with information on all types of funeral choices‚ but especially family-organised‚ environmentally friendly funerals and natural burial grounds.
Tel: 0871 288 2098 (national call rate)

Pension Service
For details of state pensions‚ including forecasts and how to claim your pension.
Tel: 0845 60 60 265 (lo-call rate)
State Pension Forecasting Team: 0845 3000 168 (lo-call rate) 
 
Principal Probate Registry
Information and advice on dealing with an estate and contact details for local probate registries.
Tel: 020 7947 6983 (national call rate)
Probate and Inheritance Tax helpline: 0845 30 20 900 (lo-call rate)

Samaritans (The)
Confidential non-judgemental support for people in distress‚ 24 hours a day.
Tel: 0845 7 90 90 90 (lo-call rate)

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA)
Aimed at improving personnel‚ pensions‚ welfare and support services to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
Tel: 0800 169 2277 (free call)

War Widows’ Association of Great Britain (The)
Gives advice‚ help and support to all war widows and their dependants.
Tel: 0870 2411 305 (lo-call rate) 

What should I do now?

If you would like more information on the issues in this guide please call the Age Concern Information Line free on 0800 00 99 66.

You can order free paper copies of all our information guides through our online Information Guide order form. 

We also publish books covering many of the above issues. Browse our online bookshop.