When they've just died

At home

Phone the person’s doctor, or the NHS helpline on 111.

If the death is unexpected, you must phone the emergency services.

In a care home

The care home will phone the doctor. The doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

In hospital

If the death was expected, a hospital doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

Contacting a funeral director

If you want to use a funeral director’s services, you can contact them at any point. There is more information on funeral directors in Section 3: Arrange the funeral.

Page last updated: 29 September 2023