What to Do When a Loved One Dies

Losing a loved one is never easy, and in the first hours and days after a death, it can feel overwhelming to know what needs to be done. Every situation is different, but in the UK, certain legal and practical steps must be followed. Having a clear guide can make a difficult time a little more manageable.

While no checklist can take away the emotional weight of loss, knowing in advance what needs to be done can ease confusion and reduce stress. For those thinking ahead, arranging a prepaid funeral plan can make things even simpler, ensuring that the most important decisions are already taken care of and sparing loved ones from added worry at an already difficult time.

Explore This Guide

• What to Do Immediately After Someone Dies
• How Long Can a Body Be Kept After Death?
• Registering the Death
• Who Needs to Be Notified After a Death?
• What to Do with Social Media Accounts When Someone Dies?
• What to Do After the Death of a Parent
• What to Do After a Death: Funeral Arrangements

What to Do Immediately After Someone Dies

The first hour after someone passes away can feel confusing and emotional, but there are a few important steps to take straight away.

Confirming the Death

If the death happens in a hospital or care home, staff will arrange for a doctor to confirm the death. If the person has died at home, you’ll need to contact their GP or the NHS helpline so that a qualified professional can attend and issue the necessary documentation. This confirmation is essential before any legal or funeral arrangements can begin.

What Happens to a Body After Death?

After death, the body begins a natural process of change. In the UK, the deceased can remain at home for a short time if the family wishes, or arrangements can be made for a funeral director to collect the body and bring it into their care. Many families find comfort in keeping their loved one close for a brief period before transfer.

How Long Can a Body Be Kept After Death?

In the UK, a body can usually be kept at home for up to a few days if properly cared for, though most people choose to have the funeral director take over within 24-48 hours. Mortuaries and funeral homes have the facilities to preserve the body for longer if needed, allowing time for registration of the death, notifications and funeral arrangements.

What Not to Do When Someone Dies

In such a difficult moment, it can be easy to feel unsure about what to do. A few things to avoid include:

• Don’t delay contacting a doctor or funeral director to confirm and care for the body.
• Don’t attempt to complete any legal paperwork without the official death certificate.
• Don’t make quick decisions under pressure – take support from professionals, family and friends.

Registering the Death

Once a doctor has confirmed the death, the next step is to register the death. In the UK, this must usually be done within five days (eight days in Scotland). The registration is carried out at the local register office for the area where the person died.

What Do You Need to Do When Someone Dies in the UK

When registering the death, you’ll need to provide key details such as:

• The person’s full name
• Their date of birth
• Their last address
• Their occupation
• The details of their spouse or civil partner, if applicable

You’ll also be asked for any official documents that can help confirm their identity.

What to Do with the Birth Certificate After Death

A birth certificate is often requested when registering a death, as it helps prove the deceased’s identity. While it isn’t always mandatory if other identification is available, it is strongly recommended to have it ready, as it will also be useful for handling legal matters such as probate, pensions or closing accounts. Once the death is registered, the registrar will issue the official death certificate, which is required for almost every step that follows.

Who Can Register a Death?

The responsibility for registering a death usually falls to:

• A close relative of the deceased
• Someone present at the death
• A person arranging the funeral (not the funeral director)

It’s important to complete this step as soon as possible, as many practical arrangements, such as accessing bank accounts or starting funeral preparations, cannot move forward without the official certificate.

Who Needs to Be Notified After a Death?

After losing someone, one of the hardest things can be facing the list of people and organisations who need to be told. It can feel like an endless task, but knowing who has to be notified after a death helps make the process more manageable.

Who Must Be Notified After a Death?

Several government services, financial institutions and organisations need to be informed. The process can be simplified using the government’s Tell Us Once service, which passes the information to multiple departments at the same time, including HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, the DVLA and the Passport Office.

Outside of government, it’s also important to notify:

• Employers
• Banks and building societies
• Pension providers
• Insurance companies
• Mortgage lender, landlord or housing association
• Utility companies
• Council tax office
• GP and other healthcare providers
• Clubs, memberships or subscriptions

Having a checklist makes this stage clearer and prevents anything from being overlooked.

What to Do with Social Media Accounts When Someone Dies?

One of the tasks families often face is deciding what to do with a loved one’s online presence, as without action, social media accounts may remain active for years.

What Happens to Social Media Accounts After Death?

Most platforms have policies for when a user passes away. If no action is taken, the account typically stays online, which can sometimes cause distress if reminders, birthday notifications or friend suggestions appear. Families usually have the choice of either closing the account permanently or, in some cases, turning it into a memorial page.

How to Close Social Media Accounts After Death

• Facebook: offers two options – permanent removal or ‘memorialisation’, which allows friends and family to share memories while securing the profile.
• Instagram: can be memorialised or deleted once proof of death is provided.
• Twitter/X: accounts can only be deactivated and removed; there is no memorialisation feature.
• LinkedIn: provides a form to request account closure, which requires basic details and proof of death.

Practical Steps for Families

1. Gather the required documents (death certificate, proof of relationship or executor details).
2. Contact the platform directly via its online help centre or dedicated forms.
3. Decide whether to close or memorialise the account, depending on the options available and the family’s wishes.
4. Make a list of all online accounts (social media, email, subscriptions) to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Taking care of someone’s digital presence is an important part of the grieving process and helps protect their privacy.

What to Do After the Death of a Parent

Losing a parent is one of life’s most difficult experiences. Alongside the emotional impact, there are often additional responsibilities to take care of, especially if you are the next of kin or executor of their estate.

When a parent dies, you may need to manage:

• Estates and property: deciding what happens to their home, possessions and financial assets.
• Inheritance: ensuring that money, savings or investments are passed on according to their will or, if no will exists, following intestacy rules.
• Debts and bills: settling any outstanding payments or agreements.
• Legal paperwork: applying for probate if required, which gives you the authority to deal with their estate.

Dealing with these responsibilities while grieving can feel overwhelming. Many people struggle with making clear decisions while also processing their loss. It’s important to seek support from other family members, trusted friends or professional advisers to share the burden.

A will makes this process simpler, ensuring that your parent’s wishes are clear and legally protected. Without a will, settling an estate can take longer and may cause disputes within families. Planning ahead is key for your parent’s peace of mind and easing the pressure on those left behind.

This is where prepaid funeral plans and wider estate planning can make a difference. By making arrangements in advance, your parent’s wishes for their funeral and financial matters are already recorded, giving you more space to grieve and remember them, rather than being overwhelmed by practicalities.

What to Do After a Death: Funeral Arrangements

Once the death has been registered, the next step is to begin organising the funeral. This can feel like a lot to take on, especially while grieving, but knowing the key stages makes the process clearer.

Most families start by contacting a funeral director, who will guide them through every stage of planning. They will arrange the care of the deceased, explain the options available, and coordinate the service on your behalf. If the person who has died has a prepaid funeral plan, the chosen funeral director will already be named, making this step much easier.

One of the first decisions is whether the funeral will be a burial or a cremation. This may already be stated in the person’s will or funeral plan, but if not, the family will need to decide. Factors to consider include religious or cultural beliefs, costs and personal wishes.

Certain documents must be in place before the funeral can go ahead:

• Green form (certificate for burial or cremation), issued by the registrar when the death is registered.
• Death certificate, required for legal and financial matters.
• Application forms for cremation, if that is the chosen option.

The funeral director can help ensure all forms are completed correctly and submitted on time.

Funeral costs can vary widely depending on the choices made. The average funeral in the UK can cost several thousand pounds, covering services such as the coffin, transport, ceremony, burial or cremation fees, and professional care. On top of this, families may choose flowers, catering or memorial options.

Having to make these decisions quickly can be stressful, which is why many people choose to plan in advance. A prepaid funeral plan allows these costs to be arranged and covered ahead of time, removing uncertainty and easing the financial burden for loved ones.

Coping with everything that needs to be done after someone dies can feel daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. From registering the death to notifying organisations and arranging the funeral, there is guidance and professional support available at every step.

By planning ahead, you can make this easier for your own loved ones. With a prepaid funeral plan, the key decisions and costs are already taken care of, meaning your family won’t be left wondering what to do or worrying about financial pressures at an already difficult time.