Help & advice
When someone has died.
Plain-English guides for the practical things families have to do in the days after a death. Written for people who haven’t done this before and aren’t in any state to read jargon.
The four guides
Where would you like to start?
What to do when someone has died
The first practical steps in the first 24 to 72 hours, depending on whether the death was at home, in hospital, or in a care home.
Read the guide →
Registering a death in England or Wales
Who registers, where, when, what to bring, and what documents you’ll receive afterwards.
Read the guide →
Registering a death in Scotland
How registration differs in Scotland, including timeframes, who can register, and the documents the registrar issues.
Read the guide →
When the coroner or Procurator Fiscal is involved
When a death is referred, what that means for the family, how long it takes, and how the cremation arrangement is affected.
Read the guide →
If you’d rather just talk it through
Reading guides is useful, but if you’d rather have someone walk you through it over the phone, we’re here. There’s no charge and no commitment for an initial conversation.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week