Checklist
You will find it helpful to have important reference numbers and information of the person who died to hand while you go through this process.
- 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 MCCD
- Book an appoint 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 authority, 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 and/or pay for this.
Who you need to inform
Family members and friends
Employer or education 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: 27 January 2025
