What do I do when someone dies?

Stages to take following the death of a loved one

We are here to guide you every step of the way to give a dignified and professional send off for your loved one.

Immediately after someone dies

The first thing to do when someone dies depends on the circumstances of their death.

If someone dies at home and their death was expected

Call their GP practice and nearest relative (if that's not you). First, a doctor or nurse will come to verify the death. A doctor will then complete their part of a medical certificate, which explains the cause of death. This is then sent to a medical examiner (a senior doctor) who reviews it. The medical examiner or one of their team will then speak to the nearest relative to check they understand and agree with the medical certificate. You can ask the medical examiner questions and raise any concerns you have about the death at this stage. You’ll also be given a formal notice stating that the MCCD has been signed. This notice tells you how to register the death. Then, when you feel ready to do so, you can contact a funeral director of your choice who will move your loved one.

If someone dies at home unexpectedly

Call 999 immediately and explain what's happened. The death will need to be reported to coroner, if the cause of death is unknown, unclear, or unnatural - such as the result of an accident. 

If someone dies in hospital

The hospital will explain the steps you need to take. After the death has been verified by a first doctor or nurse, the cause of death will then usually be checked by the medical examiner, who will then issue MCCD and a formal notice will be issued directly to the registrar

The deceased will usually be kept in the hospital mortuary until the relatives arrange for it to be taken to the funeral director's premises or taken home. If an MCCD can’t be issued, the hospital will refer the death to the coroner.

If someone dies abroad

If someone dies abroad, you should register the death according to the regulations of the country. A local death certificate can usually be used in the UK. However, if it's not in English, you'll probably need to get a certified translation if you're dealing with the person's affairs. You might also choose to register the death with UK authorities. To do this, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). You can call them on 020 7008 5000.