Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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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.
Before anything else, the death must be confirmed by a medical professional.
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 issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) — this is not the same as the death certificate but is the document you need to register the death.
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.
The hospital will confirm the death and the ward or bereavement office will guide you through the next steps. A doctor at the hospital issues the MCCD. The hospital bereavement office will tell you when you can collect it and what paperwork to bring to 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. You take it to the register office to register the death and receive the official death certificate. It is not itself a death certificate.
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.
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:
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.
In England and Wales you must register the death within 5 days of the date of death (3 days in Scotland, 5 days in Northern Ireland). This does not mean you need to register today — book an appointment at your local register office as soon as you can, as appointments can fill up quickly.
At the appointment you will need:
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.
In the first 24 hours you do not need to worry about:
Once the immediate steps are handled, Farra can help you build a personalised list of every notification and task your specific situation requires — at a pace that works for you.
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.
A practical step-by-step guide to handling death admin in the UK — from the first 5 days to dealing with the estate.
The funeral always comes before probate — probate takes months, funerals happen within weeks. How to pay funeral costs before probate, what banks will release, and the typical timeline.
A complete guide for surviving spouses: the first few days, your finances and home, benefits you may be entitled to, and dealing with the estate.
A practical guide for adult children: registering the death, finding the will, notifying organisations, and dealing with the estate.
Step-by-step guide for handling a death at home, including who to call, what to expect, and immediate next steps.
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