Next steps
After a death, there are a number of practical steps that need to be taken. These can feel overwhelming at a time when emotions are still raw and energy is low. Understanding what usually happens next can help bring a sense of clarity and reassurance. The following guide outlines the key stages and practical arrangements to be aware of in the UK, so you can approach each step in your own time and with greater confidence.
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Practical steps after someone has died - includes information about MCCD, registering the death, green form and a death certificate
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End of life celebrants
Practical Steps After a Death in the UK
1. Contacting a Doctor / GP (if the death wasn’t in hospital)
If the person dies at home or outside a care setting, you (or someone close to them) should contact their GP surgery during normal working hours. Outside GP hours, you can call NHS 111.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) - The GP or on-call clinician will confirm the death and issue a MCCD which is a key document needed to register the death. This often takes a few days but can take up to three weeks if the coroners office is involved.
If the cause of death is unexpected or unclear, the doctor may need to refer the case to a coroner, who will investigate and may do a post-mortem before releasing the body, as mentioned this is likely to delay the MCCD.
2. Registering the Death
You cannot register the death until had the MCCD issued. Once the MCCD is issued and sent to the registrar, you need to register the death with the local registrar’s office.
You can find your local register's office by clicking here with your postcode
Who can register a death?
Typically a close relative or someone present at the death, but if no one appropriate is available, others (including the person arranging the funeral) can do this.
When you register the death you will receive:
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Death certificate - certified copy of the death, these need to be paid for (currently £12.50 each) and worth buying at least three copies in case you need to send any off
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Green Form - A certificate for burial or cremation, needed before a funeral can take place and are free
3. Using the 'Tell Us Once' Service
At the registrar appointment you can typically use the Tell Us Once service, a government service that notifies many public bodies (including HMRC, DWP, DVLA, local council) about the death in one go.
4. Contacting a Funeral Director
You can contact a funeral director as soon as you feel ready. Many families choose to do this early because funeral directors can guide you through practical arrangements and options.
The funeral director can help with:
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Planning the funeral service itself
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Transport of the body
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Liaising with crematorium or burial authorities
Important: The funeral director will usually ask for the certificate for burial or cremation (green form) before the funeral can take place, this is issued when the death is registered (see above).
You are free to choose any funeral director, and many families compare options, see below for information on my recommendation in Bristol and the good funeral guide.
5. Other Practical Notifications
After registering the death and arranging the funeral, you’ll typically need to contact or inform a range of organisations, such as:
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Banks and financial institutions
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Pension providers
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Insurance companies
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Employer (if applicable)
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Utilities and phone providers
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GP, dentist and other medical services
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Mortgage provider or housing association
Having several certified copies of the death certificate is helpful, as some organisations keep the original.
6. Dealing with Legal and Financial Affairs
This may include:
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Closing bank accounts
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Claiming pensions or benefits
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Notifying HMRC and dealing with tax matters
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Applying for probate (if there is a will or if you need legal authority to deal with the estate)
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Managing the person’s property and possessions
These steps can take some time and support from a solicitor or financial adviser can be useful for complex estates.
FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND BURIAL GROUNDS
Choosing a local, holistic funeral director can make a profound difference at a difficult time. They are often more able to offer personal, unhurried support and to honour wishes around natural burial, home vigils, meaningful rituals, and family involvement.
A holistic approach sees the funeral not just as a service to arrange, but as an important part of saying goodbye with care, dignity, and love. The Good Funeral Guide is an excellent resource for what to look for when choosing a funeral directors.
Quaker Social Action
Charity offering financial support for funerals
Before planning a funeral, consider what you can afford.
People are often overwhelmed in the first few days of bereavement, so take your time and think about your options.
Help with funeral costs can come from a variety of sources. Use the options below to help you calculate the money available to you.
How funerals can be done differently
Rupert Callender has written and talked extensively on this subject. See below a link to his website for blog posts, talks and links to his book - What Remains - Life, death and the human art of undertaking. The talk below is a very insightly look into what has gone wrong in many modern funeral directors.
END OF LIFE CELEBRANTS
There is also the option to contact a celebrant directly and co-create the ritual to say goodbye to your loved one. This could be a funeral, celebrations of life, a party there can even be living funerals - idea to hold ritual with the person who has the end of life diagnosis.
There are many celebrants serving the Bristol area. Look for ones that reflects your values and is transparent about what services they offer and costs.