First Steps

Emergency Checklist: First Day After Death

Illustration of a woman with checklist – part of Farra's bereavement assistant

The first 24 hours after someone dies can feel overwhelming. This emergency checklist prioritizes the most crucial tasks to help you focus on what truly needs immediate attention.

Most Urgent (First 2 Hours)
  • Confirm death and call appropriate services
  • Secure the person and location
  • Notify immediate family
  • Contact GP or hospital if expected death
Within 24 Hours
  • Arrange for medical certificate
  • Contact funeral director
  • Begin organizing important documents
  • Care for dependents or pets

Contents

Immediate priorities (0-2 hours)

These tasks require immediate attention and cannot wait:

Critical Actions

1
Death at home (unexpected): Call 999 immediately

Don't move the person or disturb anything

2
Death at home (expected): Call GP or NHS 111

Have medical details and medications list ready

3
Death in hospital/care home: Staff will handle procedures

Speak to bereavement services or duty manager

4
Notify closest family members: Spouse, children, parents

Only tell those who need to know immediately

Urgent tasks (2-8 hours)

Once immediate needs are addressed, focus on these urgent tasks:

Priority Tasks

Medical & Legal

  • • Arrange medical certificate of death
  • • Contact coroner if death referred
  • • Find will and important documents
  • • Contact solicitor if known

Practical Arrangements

  • • Contact preferred funeral director
  • • Secure the property if empty
  • • Arrange care for dependents/pets
  • • Cancel medical appointments

By end of first day

Aim to complete these tasks before the first day ends:

End of Day Goals

  • Medical certificate arranged or in progress
  • Funeral director contacted and initial meeting arranged
  • Immediate family notified
  • Property secured and safe
  • Pets and dependents cared for
  • Important documents located (will, insurance, etc.)

What can wait until tomorrow

These tasks are important but don't need to be done on the first day:

Can wait 2-5 days:

  • • Registering the death (deadline: 5 days in England/Wales, 8 days in Scotland)
  • • Detailed funeral planning
  • • Notifying banks and financial institutions
  • • Contacting employer about bereavement leave
  • • Organizing death certificates

Can wait 1-2 weeks:

  • • Notifying utility companies
  • • Cancelling subscriptions and memberships
  • • Dealing with personal belongings
  • • Social media accounts
  • • Detailed probate planning

Getting support

You don't have to do everything alone. Support is available:

Professional Help

  • • Funeral directors (immediate support)
  • • Solicitors (legal guidance)
  • • Bereavement services (emotional support)
  • • Religious leaders (spiritual support)

Personal Support

  • • Close family members
  • • Trusted friends
  • • Neighbours who can help practically
  • • Work colleagues/HR department

First Day Priority Checklist

🚨 Immediate (First 2 Hours)

  • Call 999 (unexpected death) or GP/111 (expected death)
  • Notify spouse, children, parents (immediate family only)
  • Secure location and don't disturb anything (if death at home)

⚡ Urgent (Next 6 Hours)

  • Arrange for medical certificate of cause of death
  • Contact funeral director for initial guidance
  • Arrange care for children, elderly parents, or pets
  • Locate will, insurance policies, and important documents

📋 End of Day Goals

  • Ensure property is secure (locks, utilities, valuables)
  • Have basic funeral arrangements discussion with funeral director
  • Activate support network (ask family/friends for help with tomorrow's tasks)

Need to Arrange a Funeral Quickly?

Get quotes from 3 local funeral directors within 24 hours. Compare availability, services, and prices to make the best decision for your family.

Find Available Directors →

Take Care of Yourself

The first day after someone dies is exhausting both emotionally and physically. Remember to eat something, stay hydrated, and get help with tasks when possible. Tomorrow will be easier because you'll have a clearer plan.

Related Guides

You might also find these guides helpful

URGENT

First Week After Death: Complete Checklist

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URGENT

What to Do When Someone Dies

A practical step-by-step guide to handling death admin in the UK — from the first 5 days to dealing with the estate.

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URGENT

What to Do When Someone Dies at Home

Step-by-step guide for handling a death at home, including who to call, what to expect, and immediate next steps.

First Steps12 min

Get your free checklist

  • What to do in the first 5 days after someone dies
  • How to register a death in the UK
  • Who to notify (banks, councils, utilities, and more)
  • When you might need probate
  • Optional tasks like redirecting mail or closing online accounts
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Farra is a digital assistant that helps with death admin and bereavement support in the UK. From registering a death to applying for probate, Farra provides step-by-step guidance, essential documents, and practical help for families navigating the administrative side of loss. Designed to bring clarity and compassion to the most difficult moments, Farra simplifies estate paperwork, bank notifications, and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.