The death of a loved one can be difficult and overwhelming. Understanding what you need to do when someone dies, and when to do it, can help ease the stress and confusion you may be experiencing. Which is why we’re here to take you through the key steps so you know exactly what to do when someone dies.
After a death, knowing what steps you'll need to take, and the order in which to take them, can feel daunting.
But, here at Distinct Cremations, we’ll help and support you through every step from the death of your loved one to the day of the funeral, and we are available 24/7 to lend you a helping a hand - just give us a call anytime on 0808 134 5876, no matter how big or small your question.
To help break the process down of what to do when someone dies, we've put together a step by step guide, timeline and checklist below.
We are open 24/7 and will make all the arrangements from taking the deceased into our care to completing all the paperwork. Our customer service specialists will liaise with you to make arrangements for the cremation and keep you updated.
Call us to arrange on 01543 212 000
Arrange a funeralWhen someone dies at home, the situation can be particularly distressing. If the death was expected, such as in the case of a terminal illness, you should contact their GP or the nearest doctor to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). If the death was unexpected, call emergency services immediately.
For a detailed guide on what to do when someone dies at home, read our guide.
If your loved one passes away in a care home, the staff will usually handle most of the immediate arrangements. They will contact the GP to verify the death and issue the MCCD. They will also inform you and help with the initial steps.
For more information on dealing with a death in a care home, read our article.
When a death occurs in a hospital, you’ll likely be made aware that death is imminent and be able to prepare for it. The medical staff will take care of confirming the death and issuing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The hospital will provide you with the necessary documents and guidance on what to do next.
For details on what to do when someone dies in a hospital, explore our guide.
Here at Distinct Cremations, we have created a free checklist for you to download which lets you know what you need to do when someone dies.
Download our checklist below or speak to our expert team on 01543 212 000 today
Download free checklistIt is a legal requirement to register a death within 5 days (unless the death has been referred to the coroner) in England, Wales & Northern Ireland and within 8 days in Scotland. A burial or cremation cannot proceed until the death is registered.
Before registering the death, you must obtain a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), which is issued by a doctor upon verification of the death. This document is required in order to register the death.
Next, visit your local register office. You’ll need to contact the register office first to make an appointment. During your visit, provide the following information about the deceased:
After registering the death, the registrar will issue a Certificate of Registration of Death and a Certificate for Burial or Cremation, commonly known as the 'green form.' This green form is essential for proceeding with funeral arrangements.
You’ll also be provided with a unique code, which allows you to use the Tell Us Once service, which allows you to inform multiple government agencies about the death at once, simplifying the process.
Once the death is registered, it’s a good idea to contact a funeral provider early on. If the deceased left instructions in their will or had a prepaid funeral plan, you can use this to carry out their wishes.
If no specific funeral provider is specified, find one that’s suitable for your requirements and get in touch.
The funeral provider will handle the logistics of moving the body from the place of death to their facilities. They will take care of the preparation and preservation of the body, whether it's for a viewing or a simple service, such as a direct cremation.
Your funeral provider will discuss various service options. These include decisions about burial or cremation, funeral types, funeral costs, and specific details such as music and other personal touches.
When you are ready, you can call us any time of the day, 365 days a year, and we will collect your loved one from the place of death, bringing them into our care.
Whilst your loved one is cared for in our high quality mortuary facilities, our customer service specialists will contact you to book the cremation and complete all the paperwork.
We will tell you the cremation date, if you wish to know. Your loved one's ashes can then be scattered in our garden of remembrance or returned to you at no extra cost.
One of the first decisions is whether the deceased will be buried or cremated. This choice can depend on the deceased’s wishes, religious considerations, or family preferences.
Common types of funeral services include:
Direct cremation is a growing option, accounting for 20% of all funerals in 2023 [1]. Since the cremation takes place without a funeral service, this allows the family to hold a memorial or celebration of life at a later date. This can be particularly beneficial as it provides the family with the time to organise a meaningful send-off that suits the individual’s preferences.
Planning the funeral involves selecting the venue, date, and time for the service. The funeral provider will assist in coordinating all aspects of the service. This includes arranging transport for the deceased, carrying out the cremation, and ensuring that all details are managed smoothly.
[1] SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
Review the deceased’s estate to determine if there are funds available to cover funeral expenses. This might include accessing their bank accounts, life insurance policies, or any funeral plans they may have had.
You may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government to help with funeral costs. It’s worth checking the eligibility criteria and applying for these benefits if you qualify.
Additionally, many funeral providers offer payment plans that allow you to spread out the costs over time. Discuss these options with the funeral provider to find a plan that suits your financial situation.
To learn more, read our guide on How to Pay for a Funeral.
If the deceased left a will, it will provide instructions on how their estate should be handled. The executor named in the will is responsible for managing the estate according to the deceased’s wishes. The executor will need to gather all relevant documents, assess the estate's value, and manage the distribution of assets.
You will need to apply for probate if the estate is worth more than £5,000 or involves property. This process can take several weeks to complete and is necessary to validate the will and ensure the executor has the legal right to manage the estate.
The executor must identify and settle any outstanding debts, such as loans or credit card bills, before distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will. Debts must be paid from the estate, and it’s important to notify creditors as soon as possible to prevent any additional interest or fees.
Inform relevant government agencies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), to stop any benefits and update tax records. This step ensures there are no overpayments that need to be repaid later. Additionally, contact any private pension providers to notify them of the death and handle any related matters.
Close the deceased’s bank accounts and cancel any ongoing services, such as utilities, subscriptions, and memberships. This helps prevent unnecessary charges and ensures that the deceased’s financial affairs are properly settled.
If the person who died had a lasting or enduring power of attorney, this authority ends upon their death. The attorney will no longer have the legal right to make decisions on behalf of the deceased, and the responsibilities will transfer to the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate.
Let our caring team assist you in arranging an affordable farewell for your loved one.
Call us to arrange on 01543212000
Arrange a funeralDifferent people can register a death including a relative, a friend, an official from the hospital where the death occurred, the owner or staff in a care home or someone who was present at the death.
Typically, it takes 1-3 hours for a body to be cremated, but that depends on what type of funeral you're having. To help you understand the process better, here's a step-by-step guide to what you can expect from a cremation.
Arrange a FuneralThe average cost of a funeral in the UK is now £4,141^[1]^. Our funeral plans start from as little as £1,699 or from just £1,199 if you need to arrange a funeral today or in the very near future.
^[1]^ SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
Yes, this is known as unattended or direct cremation and it is an affordable option for anyone who wishes his loved one to be cremated without the fuss of a full funeral service.
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