1. Get a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
You will need to do the following things at the earliest opportunity:
Call the family doctor or local GP
Call their nearest relative, if it
isn’t you
For more infomation on what to do when someone dies please visit
www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/what-to-do-when-someone-dies
CHECKLIST
Its perfectly normal to be unsure of what to do when someone dies and we understand how dicult it can be when the deceased is
a relative or close friend. This checklist will help guide you through the process and ensure everything is taken care of before
arranging a funeral for your loved one.
What to do when someone dies
WITH DISTINCTIO N
Obtain a Medical Certicate of Cause of
Death, signed by a doctor
A Medical Certicate may not be issued straight away if the
death is sudden or the cause of death is unknown. Unexpected
deaths will need to be reported to a coroner.
If available, but don't worry if not, take the person's:
Full name of the person who died
Their full home address
Their date and place of birth
Details of where and when the person died
Their occupation if applicable
If they were receiving any benets, including
pensions or allowance from public funds
The name, occupation and date of birth of their
spouse or civil partner if applicable
Ensure the registrar provides you with the following:
Certicate of the Registration of Death
In England and Wales: Green Certicate for
burial or cremation
In Scotland: Registration or Notication
of Death
In Northern Ireland: GR021 form
Death Certicate
Medical Certicate of Cause of Death
signed by a doctor
Birth Certicate
Council Tax bill
Driving License
Passport
Marriage/Civil Partnership Certicate
if applicable
NHS Medical Card
Proof of address
2. Register the death
You will need to do the following things within five days, or eight days if you live in Scotland:
Find a register oce in the area where the person died
Make an appointment at the register oce
Purchase additional death certicates for
when youre sorting out your loved ones aairs
and nances
To nd a register oce visit
gov.uk/register-oces
For more information visit
dignityfunerals.co.uk/coroner
3. Organ and body donation
Yes No Don’t KnowDid the person leave wishes for organ donation?
Did the person leave wishes for body donation?
If yes, the NHS will contact you and provide advice and information on what happens next
If yes, contact the local medical school who will provide advice and information on what happens next
Yes
No Don’t Know
Contact the Funeral Director and provide them with the following information:
4. Choose a Funeral Director
Personal details about the person who has died
dignityfunerals.co.uk/fdnder
Find your nearest Dignity Funeral Director
Personal details about the next of kin
Consider what type of funeral you would like for
your loved one
Check if your loved one bought one of our
Prepaid Funeral Plans. Please call us on 0800 587 2541
You will need to do the following things at the earliest opportunity:
Decide where you would like the
individual to rest before the funeral,
either the funeral home or at your
own home
Arrange a suitable time for your
Funeral Director to collect the
deceased and bring them into their
care
Visit your loved one in a private
Chapel of Rest, if you wish to
do so
5. Let people know about the death
You will need to notify the following people when a loved one passes away:
Who to inform rst Financial
Property and bills
Mortgage provider or landlord
Utility companies (electricity,
gas & water)
Buildings and content insurance provider
Mobile phone provider
Broadband/TV companies
Bank & building societies
Insurance companies
(Life, car, travel)
Credit card providers
Solicitor/accountant
The persons GP
Relatives & friends
The funeral director
Register oce
Employer/school
Health professionals.
You may need to cancel any
outstanding hospital appointments
Government
HM Revenue and Customs
for tax purposes
Pension providers
Passport agency
DVLA if the deceased held a
driving license
Local council for council tax
& Electoral Register
Others
Dentist
Optician
Subscriptions
Social groups and clubs
Re-direct the post
Close online and social
media accounts
WITH DISTINCTIO N
For more infomation on what to do when someone dies please visit
www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/what-to-do-when-someone-dies
CHECKLIST
What to do when someone dies