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After a person dies in hospital, staff will contact the next of kin to formally identify them. If the cause of death is not clear, the next of kin may be asked to give permission for a hospital post-mortem examination. A hospital voluntary post-mortem cannot take place without the explicit written consent of the next of kin.

However, if the death has been referred to the coroner, a coroner’s post-mortem may take place without consent (see the section The Coroner for more details).

If the person who has died had registered for organ or tissue donation and is eligible, the hospital’s transplant coordinator will speak with you. This will need to happen quickly, to ensure that any transplants can take place.

Hospital nurses will usually care for the person who has died, for example by washing or dressing them. You should be able to help with this if you wish. The hospital mortuary will then care for them by keeping them in a cold environment. If a post-mortem examination is required, this will be carried out in the mortuary by specialist doctors known as pathologists. There is normally no charge for this care unless the mortuary is asked to keep the person for an extended period.

The person who has died will remain in the hospital mortuary until arrangements are made for them to be collected by a funeral director, family member, or another appointed person. If you choose to use a funeral director, they will usually take the person to their chapel of rest until the funeral takes place. If the person who has died left specific wishes about their care, you may wish to take these into account.

Some hospitals have bereavement staff who can explain the next steps and help with documentation. In some cases, this may be handled by ward staff. It can sometimes take a little time for the necessary documents to be completed, as they must be signed by a doctor who was directly involved in the person’s care.

Hospital staff will normally keep safe any possessions belonging to the person who has died until arrangements are made for them to be collected. Most hospitals have an appointment system for this, and a receipt will be issued when the belongings are collected.

A hospital doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (see section below), which you will need to register the death. If the person is to be cremated, please let the doctor know.

Once you have received the medical certificate, you can register the death. In England and Wales, this must be done within five days; in Scotland, within eight days

If the person died in a care home, you may be asked to arrange for the body to be removed relatively soon after death has been verified. Staff will advise you on what to do and help you contact a funeral director if needed.

If the death was expected, it will need to be verified by a medical practitioner, and the GP will be notified so they can certify the death. Care home staff will usually do this on your behalf. If the death has been expected or the GP has seen your loved one in the last 14 days, the doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, allowing you to register the death.

If the person died in a hospice, you will usually have more time to spend with them before arrangements need to be made. Hospices have their own procedures for verifying and certifying a death. They will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (see section below) and provide guidance on how to register the death.

A member of hospice staff will also offer advice about contacting a funeral director, or explain what to do if you prefer to make arrangements yourself.

If the person died at home, a doctor or another healthcare professional will need to verify the death. This involves carrying out certain checks to confirm that the person has died. It’s important not to move the body until this has been done.

Usually, the person’s GP will complete the verification. After the death, contact the GP surgery and they will arrange for someone to visit to verify the death and offer guidance. Verification can sometimes also be performed by a registered nurse.

If the death happens outside normal surgery hours (between 6.30pm and 8am on weekdays, or at any time during weekends or bank holidays), call your GP practice number — you’ll be given a number for the out-of-hours doctor.

Any medical equipment, such as a syringe driver, should be left in place until a healthcare professional has formally verified the death. This is known as formal verification of death. If you and your family are present when the person dies, you may be asked to confirm the time of death when you speak with the GP or healthcare professional.

If the death was expected, and the doctor who cared for the person is able to issue the medical certificate of cause of death, you can begin to make funeral arrangements or contact a funeral director when you feel ready.

Funeral directors usually provide a 24-hour service, but if you prefer, you can take some time to be with your loved one at home before they are taken into care.

If someone dies in a public place, or at home and the cause of death is not clear or is considered not natural, the police will arrange for a funeral director acting on behalf of the coroner (see The Coroner section) to remove the body. They will be taken to the local public mortuary, which in some areas is provided by the main hospital.

If someone dies away from home, the local authorities will complete the initial formalities in that area. If the body is to be brought home for the funeral, a funeral director can take care of all the necessary arrangements, including handling paperwork, complying with regulations, and ensuring the safe and respectful transfer of the deceased.

If a person dies abroad, the funeral director will be able to advise you on the options available and guide you through the process of repatriation or arranging a funeral overseas.

When someone dies, a registered medical practitioner must confirm and certify the death. This is usually a doctor who attended the person during their lifetime—often their GP, or a hospital doctor if the death occurred in a hospital or hospice.

If the death was expected and from natural causes, the doctor will complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This document states the cause of death and allows you to register the death (see Registering the Death below). Most MCCDs are now sent electronically to the registrar by the medical examiner or examining doctor. All MCCDs are now routinely checked by the medical examiner before being sent electronically to the registrar.

You may also receive a Notice to Informant, which explains what to do next and how to register the death. However, this may vary depending on local procedures.

In some cases, a GP may both verify and certify the death. If a district nurse or out-of-hours doctor verified the death, the MCCD will usually be completed later by the GP or another attending doctor. You may not need to collect the certificate yourself, as it is often sent directly to the registrar.

If the person’s usual GP is unavailable, or if the doctor has any questions about the cause of death, the death may need to be reported to the coroner. This is a normal procedure and doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything suspicious.

In Scotland, all MCCDs are independently reviewed by a team of medical reviewers. The process is now electronic to help reduce any delays.

A death may also be reported to the coroner if the person died from an industrial disease (an illness linked to their work), such as mesothelioma. In this situation, the coroner may open an inquest — an investigation to determine how and when the death occurred. Try not to worry if the death is reported; you can contact the coroner’s office for information and support.

The MCCD is the document you will need to take to the local registrar’s office to register the death. They are often now sent electronically for you after completion, direct to the registrars. Most register offices require an appointment, so it’s best to contact them in advance to make sure they have received it.

If the person died in hospital, the certificate may be issued by the bereavement office, and ward staff can explain how to arrange this.

Please be patient if you’re told there may be a delay before the certificate is ready. Only certain doctors are legally permitted to complete it, and they may be off duty or involved in emergency care. The certificate is free of charge and will be issued as soon as possible.

If the cause of death is not known or the death was not from natural causes, it must be reported to the coroner in England or to the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland. These two systems work differently, but the process will be explained to you by the doctor, police officer, or coroner’s officer (or Procurator Fiscal’s office in Scotland) who makes the referral.

The coroner’s role is to investigate the cause of death and ensure that it is fully understood. In some cases, a post-mortem examination (also called an autopsy) may be needed to determine the exact cause of death. If this is necessary, the reason will be clearly explained to you.

It is usually possible to see your loved one at the funeral home once the post-mortem examination has been completed. Your funeral director can advise you on this.

You will also be informed when you can register the death and when the funeral can take place. If the coroner or Procurator Fiscal is involved, there may be a delay in registration while the investigation is ongoing. In such cases, an interim death certificate may be issued to help with practical arrangements.

While delays can occur – especially if an inquest is required – staff will keep you informed and support you throughout the process.

A coroner’s inquest is a formal investigation that takes place when the cause of death remains unknown, or if the person may have died a violent, unnatural, or sudden death, or died while in prison or police custody.

The purpose of an inquest is to establish the facts about who has died, and how, when, and where the death occurred. It is not a trial and does not assign blame — its role is to find the truth and record the circumstances of the death clearly and accurately.

The coroner is responsible for sending the necessary paperwork to the registrar once the inquest is complete. Until then, the death cannot be officially registered.

However, the coroner can issue an interim death certificate, which can be used as proof of death. You can use this document to notify organisations, manage financial affairs, and apply for probate while waiting for the inquest to conclude. It’s always recommended to maintain communication with the coroner’s office for the most current and specific guidance related to individual circumstances.

When the inquest is over, the coroner will send confirmation to the registrar so that the death can be formally registered and the final death certificate can be issued.

A funeral director is appointed by you and is usually paid by you or from the estate of the person who has died. They act on your instructions to ensure that your loved one is cared for with dignity and respect.

Funeral directors can manage every aspect of a funeral, including:

• Preparing the body for burial or cremation

• Transporting the deceased

• Arranging the funeral service and ceremony

• Guiding you through legal and  administrative requirements

They work closely with you to make sure the funeral reflects the wishes of the deceased and the family.

For more detailed guidance, see our section on how to choose a funeral director.

Registering the death is a necessary step before arranging the funeral, claiming inheritance, or accessing financial affairs.

The rules for registering a death differ between England and Scotland, so it’s important to follow the correct local procedures. Your funeral director can guide you through the process and explain what documents you will need.

In England the death must be registered within 5 days of being contacted by the medical examiner’s office, including weekends and bank holidays. In Scotland the death must be registered within 8 days from the date of death.

For official guidance, visit www.gov.uk

You can search for “register a death” or include your location, for example “register a death in [your town/city]”, to find your local registrar of deaths and make an appointment.

Most register offices recommend booking an appointment in advance to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.

Most deaths are registered by a relative, but in some cases, the law allows other people to register the death. Knowing who can register a death helps ensure the process is completed legally and without delays. If you are unsure, your funeral director or local registrar can advise you.

The following people can register a death:

• A relative of the deceased

• Someone present at the time of death

• Someone who was present during the person’s final illness

• The occupier of the building where the death occurred (e.g. hospital manager, care home warden)

• The person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director)

• An official from the public building where the death occurred

In Northern Ireland, the death can also be registered by:

• the governor, matron or chief officer of a public building where the death occurred
• a person finding, or a person taking charge of, the body
• the executor or administrator of the person’s estate (this applies in Scotland too)

When you go to register a death, you must have the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This is the essential document that allows the registrar to complete the registration. In most cases, this certificate is sent electronically to the registrar by the medical examiner or hospital, so you may not need to bring it yourself.

It is also helpful, if available, to bring other documents for reference, such as:

• Birth certificate

• NHS medical card

• Proof of address (e.g. a utility bill)

• Driving licence

• Passport

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate

• National Insurance Number 

Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these, the death can still be registered with the medical certificate alone.

The registrar will also ask for some key information about the person who has died:

• Full name at the time of death

• Any other names they used (e.g. maiden name)

• Date and place of birth (town and county in the UK, or just country if born abroad)

• Last address

• Occupation or last occupation if retired

• Full name of spouse or civil partner, if applicable

• Details of any state pension or benefits they were receiving

Providing this information helps ensure the death is registered correctly and supports the process of handling legal, financial, and administrative matters.

When you register a death, the registrar will provide different documents depending on where the death occurred. These documents are essential for arranging the funeral and managing the deceased’s affairs.

In England and Wales

You will receive:

• Certificate for Burial and Cremation (the “green form”) – gives permission for the body to be buried or for a cremation application to be made. You should give this to the funeral director.
• Certificate for Registration of Death (form BD8) – needed to manage the deceased’s affairs, including pensions or benefits.

In Scotland

You will receive:

• Certificate for Registration of Death (form 14) – allows the funeral to take place.
• Registration or Notification of Death (form 334/SI) – needed to manage pensions, benefits, and other affairs.

You may also be given a Tell Us Once document (in England, Scotland, and Wales), which forwards the death details to all relevant government departments.

In Northern Ireland

You will receive:

• GRO form – gives permission for the funeral to take place.
• Certificate for Registration of Death (form 36/BD8) – needed to manage pensions, benefits, and other affairs.

These documents ensure the funeral can proceed and that the deceased’s financial and legal matters can be addressed efficiently.

Death certificates can be obtained from the local register office where the death was registered. It is often cheaper to request copies at the time of registration, with each copy usually costing a few pounds. See later section on Obtaining copies of the death certificate. 

After the death has been registered, you can request a death certificate, which is an official copy of the entry in the death register. You will likely need multiple copies for practical purposes, such as:

• Informing banks, insurance companies, or pension providers

• Providing to the executor or administrator handling the deceased’s estate

Your funeral director, the executor of the will, or the registrar can advise on how many copies you may need. Most people order 6–10 copies, depending on the number of institutions involved.

Death certificates can be obtained from the local register office where the death was registered. It is often cheaper to request copies at the time of registration, with each copy usually costing a few pounds, but fees can vary.

Additional copies can also be requested from:

• General Register Office (England and Wales)

• General Register Office Northern Ireland

• National Records Scotland

Your funeral director will ensure all the necessary paperwork for a burial or cremation is completed. This includes the authorisation certificate  (the “green form” in England) which is issued by the registrar after the death is registered. The funeral director will guide you through the required forms and legal responsibilities, including liaising with the crematorium or cemetery.

In England, for cremations, the funeral director will need:

• A certificate from the doctor who issued the medical certificate of cause of death

There is a small charge for this document, which the funeral director will pay on your behalf. This cost usually appears under “Disbursements” on the funeral invoice and is often listed as “medical certificates.”

If the death occurred in one country and the funeral is to be held in another, a funeral director will also know the correct international paperwork required.

To simplify notifying government departments, you can use the Tell Us Once service, available in most local authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland. This service forwards the details of the death to multiple government departments at once.

After registering the death, the registrar will either complete the Tell Us Once service with you or provide a unique reference number for you to use the service online or by phone within 28 days.

If your local authority does not offer the Tell Us Once service, you will need to contact each department individually.

After a death, you may want to stop unwanted marketing mail. The Bereavement Register is a free service that removes the deceased’s names and addresses from mailing lists. Most advertising mail should stop within six weeks of registering.

Visit the Bereavement Register

Please note: this service does not stop official mail such as bank statements, tax documents, or utility bills.

The first step is to find out if the person left a will and where it is kept. Possible locations include:

• The person’s home

• Their solicitor, accountant, or bank

• In England and Wales: the Principal Registry of the Family Division of the High Court, a District Registry, or a Probate Sub-Registry

• In Northern Ireland: the Probate Office

A will usually states who is responsible for managing the estate. These individuals are called personal representatives. If there is a will, they are known as executors; if there is no will (or no executor is named), they are called administrators.

The responsibilities of an executor (named in a will) and an administrator (appointed when there is no will) are largely the same. Both are referred to as personal representatives, and they are legally responsible for managing the deceased’s estate.

To legally administer the estate, personal representatives must apply for a grant of representation, which comes in different forms depending on the circumstances.

In England and Wales, the grant of representation is known as a grant of probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will). In Scotland, this is referred to as confirmation, and in Northern Ireland, it is called a grant of probate.

Executors and administrators can handle the estate themselves or use a solicitor. While the role is usually straightforward, it can be time-consuming. Any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed from the estate, but personal time cannot be charged unless the will specifically allows it.

As an executor or administrator, your role is to:

• Trace all assets: This includes bank accounts, savings, investments, property, vehicles, valuables, furniture, personal possessions, and debts owed to the deceased.

• Identify liabilities: List all debts such as mortgages, personal loans, credit card balances, unpaid bills, and taxes.

• Prepare estate accounts: Create a record of all assets and liabilities, deducting funeral and reasonable expenses to calculate the total estate value.

• Handle inheritance tax: Complete the inheritance tax forms and pay any tax due. Inheritance tax on property can often be paid in instalments.

The next steps involve obtaining legal authority to manage the estate and distributing assets:

• Apply for probate or letters of administration (confirmation in Scotland) to validate the will and confirm your authority to distribute the estate.

• Take control of the assets using the grant of probate or confirmation.

• Pay debts and liabilities from the estate.

• Distribute the estate to beneficiaries as directed in the will or according to intestacy laws, including tracing and notifying individuals, charities, and organisations entitled to inherit.

Read our practical guide to understanding probate here.