Someone Died Today: What to Do in the First 24 Hours

What do you do immediately when someone dies?

1Call the GP (or 999 if the death was sudden or unexpected) so the death can be confirmed. In England and Wales the doctor sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to a medical examiner, who reviews it and notifies the registrar — you never collect it or carry it yourself.
2You do not need to rush. The death cannot be registered today in any case. In England and Wales the 5 days run from the day the registrar is notified of the cause of death by the medical examiner, not from the date of death (Scotland allows 8 days from the date of death, Northern Ireland 5).
3Do not move the body if the coroner may be involved — unexpected, sudden, or suspicious deaths must not have the body disturbed until the coroner has given permission.
4Notify close family and friends when you are ready. There is no obligation to tell anyone immediately except the relevant medical authority.
5Contact a funeral director when you feel ready — there is no legal deadline to arrange collection of the deceased, and you are not obliged to use the first one you call.

There is no single right way to handle the hours after someone dies. This guide gives you a clear sequence to follow — but the most important thing to know is that almost nothing needs to happen immediately. Take the time you need.

Step 1: Confirm the death (first priority)

Before anything else, the death must be confirmed by a medical professional.

If the death was expected (at home, after illness)

For the full process, see our guide on what to do when someone dies at home. Call the deceased's GP surgery. If it is out of hours, call the GP out-of-hours service (usually NHS 111). A doctor will come to confirm the death and complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) — this is not the same as the death certificate, and it does not come to you. In England and Wales it goes to a medical examiner for independent review, and the medical examiner then notifies the registrar of the cause of death.

If the death was sudden, unexpected, or suspicious

Call 999 immediately. The police and potentially the coroner will become involved. Do not move the body. A coroner investigation means the death registration will be delayed — sometimes by weeks or months. The coroner will keep you informed.

If the death happened in hospital

The hospital will confirm the death and the ward or bereavement office will guide you through the next steps. A doctor at the hospital completes the MCCD and sends it to the medical examiner. The medical examiner's office will ring you, explain the cause of death, answer any questions and tell you when the registrar has been notified so you can book the registration appointment.

What is the MCCD?

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is a form completed by the doctor who attended the deceased. It states the cause of death. Since 9 September 2024 it does not pass through the family's hands in England and Wales: it goes from the doctor to a medical examiner, and the medical examiner sends the cause of death to the registrar. It is not itself a death certificate. In Scotland, where there is no medical examiner system, it goes straight to the registrar.

Step 2: Notify close family and friends

There is no official requirement to tell anyone other than the medical authority. Telling family and close friends is a personal priority — do it at your own pace and in whatever order feels right.

Some people find it helpful to identify one or two trusted people who can help spread the word so you are not making dozens of phone calls yourself. You do not have to tell everyone today.

If the deceased had an employer, you may wish to notify them today or tomorrow — but this can also wait a day or two. There is no urgent legal requirement.

Step 3: Contact a funeral director (when you are ready)

Most funeral directors operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can collect the deceased at any time. But there is no legal requirement to call them immediately. Many families wait until the following day, or until they have had time to sit with their loved one.

When you do call, the funeral director will:

Collect the deceased and take them to their funeral director's (they are equipped to do this respectfully, at any hour)
Advise on the registration process if you have questions
Begin arranging the funeral at a pace that suits you

You are not obliged to use the first funeral director you contact. It is reasonable to call two or three to compare costs — funeral prices for identical services can vary by thousands of pounds. See our guide to average UK funeral costs in 2026 for guidance.

If the coroner is involved

Do not contact a funeral director until the coroner has given permission for the body to be released. The coroner's office will contact you when this happens.

Step 4: Register the death (within 5 days of the relevant date)

In England and Wales you must register the death within 5 days of the "relevant date" — the day the registrar is notified of the cause of death by the medical examiner, or the day a coroner discontinues — not the date of death. In Scotland it is 8 days from the date of death, and in Northern Ireland 5 days from the date of death. So you cannot and need not register today. Book an appointment at your local register office once the medical examiner's office tells you the registrar has been notified, as appointments can fill up quickly.

At the appointment you will need:

No medical certificate in England and Wales — the registrar already has the cause of death from the medical examiner
Information about the deceased: full name, date and place of birth, last address, occupation, and (if married) their spouse's name and occupation
If available (not mandatory): the deceased's NHS number, birth certificate, or passport

The registrar will issue you with the death certificate (a certified copy) on the day. Order multiple copies — most banks, insurers, and probate offices require an original each. How many death certificates you need depends on your estate — typically 8–12 for most families.

At registration, ask about the Tell Us Once service. This lets you notify multiple government departments (HMRC, DWP, DVLA, Passport Office, local council) in a single step.

What can safely wait

In the first 24 hours you do not need to worry about:

Banks and financial accounts — notify them after the funeral, not before
Probate — this is a process that takes months and begins after the funeral
The will — finding and reading the will is important but not urgent
HMRC and DWP — Tell Us Once at registration handles these
Utility companies — contact them in the weeks after the funeral
Subscriptions — these can wait

What NOT to do in the first 24 hours

Do not access the deceased's bank accounts to withdraw cash — even as next of kin, this could be treated as unauthorised access once the account holder has died
Do not destroy, hide, or alter any documents — especially the will. Destroying a will is a serious legal matter.
Do not move the body if the coroner may be involved — unexpected or suspicious deaths must not disturb the scene
Do not feel pressured to make immediate funeral decisions — some funeral directors create a sense of urgency that is not legally required
Do not assume you know what the will says — locate and read it carefully before taking any action relating to property or assets

Looking after yourself

The administrative tasks after a death can feel overwhelming. You do not have to do everything today, this week, or even this month. Most tasks have deadlines measured in weeks and months — not hours.

If you need emotional support, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free, confidential help. The Samaritans are available 24 hours on 116 123.

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