When someone dies

If the death was expected, contact the person's GP or the out-of-hours GP service. The doctor will visit to confirm the death and issue a medical certificate of cause of death.

Once the certificate has been issued, you may contact a funeral director to bring the person who has died into their care. There is no rush — take the time you need.

If the death was unexpected, call 999. Do not move the person. The emergency services and police will attend, and the coroner may become involved.

Requirements vary depending on circumstances, and professional guidance may be required.

Hospital staff will be aware when someone dies. They will arrange for a doctor to confirm the death and issue the medical certificate of cause of death, usually through the bereavement office.

You will need this certificate to register the death at the register office. The hospital may ask which funeral director you have chosen so they can coordinate the transfer.

Many hospitals have a chapel of rest where you may visit the person who has died, subject to availability and visiting hours.

The bereavement team can guide you through the immediate steps. Requirements vary depending on circumstances.

If someone dies unexpectedly, call 999 immediately. The police will attend and a coroner may be appointed to investigate the cause of death.

The coroner may order a post-mortem examination. Funeral arrangements may need to wait until the coroner releases the body. This process can take days or weeks.

A funeral director can advise on likely timescales once the coroner is involved. You do not need to wait until the investigation is complete before making initial enquiries.

This information is general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Professional guidance may be required.

In England and Wales, a death must be registered within five days (eight days in Scotland). Visit the register office for the district where the death occurred.

Take the medical certificate of cause of death, issued by the doctor or coroner. You will also need to provide information about the person who has died, including their full name, date and place of birth, occupation, and address.

The registrar will issue a death certificate and the certificate for burial or cremation (the green form). You can order additional copies of the death certificate for a fee.

Requirements vary depending on circumstances. The register office can advise on what documents you need to bring.

You can contact a funeral director at any time after a death has been confirmed. Many families contact a director on the day of the death, but there is no obligation to do so immediately.

The funeral director will explain the next steps, discuss your preferences, and arrange to bring the person who has died into their care when you are ready.

You may wish to contact more than one funeral director to compare services and prices. All funeral directors should provide a written estimate before you commit.

On this demonstration website, contacting us will not connect you to a real funeral director.

When arranging a funeral, you may be asked for: the full name and address of the person who has died; their date and place of birth; the name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner; details of any prepaid funeral plan; and your own contact details.

If the person who has died had a will, the executor may need to be involved in decisions about the funeral.

You may also need to notify government departments, banks, utility companies, and other organisations. The Tell Us Once service can help notify multiple departments at once.

A funeral director can guide you through the information needed for your specific circumstances.

After contacting a funeral director, an arrangement meeting will be scheduled. This can take place in person, by telephone, or at your home.

During the meeting, you will discuss the type of funeral, choice of coffin, vehicles, flowers, and any personal touches. The director will provide a written estimate of costs.

The funeral director will liaise with the crematorium, cemetery, or church, arrange the officiant, and prepare all necessary documentation.

On the day of the funeral, the director and their team will be present to ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing you to focus on your family.