Checklist

You will find it helpful to have important reference numbers and information about the person who died to hand while you go through this process, such as:

• date and place of their birth
• date and place of their marriage
• National Insurance number
• tax reference number, which you will find on payslips, P45 or P60 documents from employers

If you are asked to post a copy of the death certificate to an organisation, it is a good idea to:

• send it tracked and signed for
• include a stamped, addressed envelope for it to be returned to you

Register the death

• Liaise with the Medical Examiner's Office about the release of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
• Book an appointment to register the death.
• Attend the registering a death appointment.
• Complete the government’s Tell Us Once form using the reference number we give you.

Sort out probate

• Probate is the legal right to deal with someone's property, money and possessions (their 'estate') when they die. GOV.UK has guidance on probate.

Arranging the funeral

• Check the will, in case the person who died has any specific requests.
• If you want one, contact a funeral director.

Rented accommodation

If the person who died lived in rented accommodation, tell the local council, housing association or landlord.

You may be asked to clear the property within a couple of weeks. Some landlords may allow you a little longer if you ask or pay for it.

Who you need to inform

• Family members and friends
• Employer or educational establishments
• Health professionals – and cancel any outstanding health-related appointments and recurring prescriptions
• Any agencies that have been providing care to the person who died
• Financial organisations, including:
  • banks, national savings and building societies
  • insurance companies, for example, life, building and contents, medical, car, travel
  • pension providers
  • credit card or store card providers
  • any other financial organisations that the person who died has an account with
  • any companies or organisations where the person who died has a joint account
• Property and utilities, including:
  • mortgage provider
  • the local authority, housing association or landlord if the person who died lived in rented accommodation
  • utility companies – arrange transfer of account details if necessary
  • TV and internet service providers
  • HM Land Registry, to update any property records

Other things you may want to do

• Receiving post for a person who has passed away can be very distressing. Use the Deceased Identity Protection Service to redirect unwanted post.
• Tell any clubs, membership organisations and social groups that the person who died belonged to. People may wish to attend the funeral.
• Any social media accounts the person who died had can be closed down or changed to “in memory of” pages.

Page last updated: 5 May 2026