What to Do When Someone Dies

You may have questions about what to do when someone dies and who to inform. Or how to go about registering a death in the UK and the time limits involved.

So here are the practical steps you need to take in the first few days after a death, including how to obtain a death certificate and a ‘green form’ from the registrar.

This checklist includes the important and practical steps you have to take when someone dies:

Step 1:
Obtain a medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD)

This document is the official record of the cause of death, and you need it to register the death at a UK registry office. If the person dies at home or in a care home, the attending GP will provide this document. If the person dies in hospital, someone from the Bereavement/Patient Affairs Office will give it to you. The MCDD will also be emailed to the appropriate registry office.

Step 2:
Register a death online at a Registry Office

Within five days of the of the doctor sending the MCCD, you need to register the death at a registry office (unless it has been referred to the coroner).

Registering a death needs to be completed by a legally responsible person, who is usually the next of kin, a close relative or the executor of the person who has died. The death can also be registered by someone who was present at the time of death, the occupier of the premises where the death occurred, or the person who is responsible for arranging the funeral.

What does the registrar need in terms of information?

Date and place of death
Full name and address of the person who has died (including maiden name if applicable)
Date and place of birth
Occupation
Name and address of their husband or wife, or civil partner
Your name, address and your relationship to the person
Whether the person who has died received a pension from public funds

It may be useful to have the following documents to hand:

Birth certificate
Marriage or civil partnership certificate
Medical card
A document showing their current address

What happens if a coroner is involved?
If the coroner is involved, the death doesn’t have to be registered within five days. Please get in touch so we can provide you with more information and the different procedures that need to be followed.

What does the registrar provide?
Once the death has been registered, the registrar will give you a death certificate. You may want to buy additional copies of the certificate so they can be sent to insurance companies or used to close existing bank accounts. It means you don’t have to wait each time for the original certificate to be returned. The registrar will charge you for each copy they provide. It is possible to ask for additional copies at a later date, although the fees charged may be higher.

The registrar will also issue a certificate for burial or cremation. Often known as the ‘green certificate’ or ‘green form’, this certificate means a funeral can now go ahead. It will be emailed to you, so you can forward it to your funeral director.

You will also be given a ‘Tell Us Once’ reference number. This online service means you can let most government departments know about the death, all in one go.

Step 3:
Choose a funeral director

Call Exit Here. As your funeral director, we can help you with any further documentation needed and with all aspects of the funeral arrangements.

“After someone dies, it can feel overwhelming to think about paperwork and practicalities. We’re always available to give you advice and support, and talk you through the what happens after someone dies, one step at a time.”

— Sam Gage, funeral director

“I truly cannot recommend Exit Here enough, from what first felt like a very strange phone call to make soon became a really positive experience during a very sad time. Sam and Oliver were just wonderful, they listened and totally understood what we wanted to give my Dad the best send off. They were so kind and thoughtful throughout; the whole process was made so much easier by them. Oh and the food at the wake was excellent too!”
— Caroline O’Reilly
“Exit Here have been brilliant every step of the way with the funeral arrangements and the remembrance service for our father. They have been able to advise the family along the journey in a simple and friendly yet professional way. Sam in particular was amazing at helping us make decisions that we may have found difficult. Dad was looking lovely on the day, it was like he was still here with us but we knew that he was at peace and on another journey to us. The room that he was placed in to dress him was also very special and calming.”
— Aarti Bonacina
“A huge thank you to Oliver, Barry and the whole team at Exit Here for looking after our beautiful and selfless mother. From that horrendously difficult initial telephone call to start arrangements, there was empathy, warmth, positivity and the right amount of light-heartedness injected into what seemed like an overwhelming and hopeless situation.”
— Margaret Choy
“The process was made somewhat easier to endure with the help of Exit Here and we were able to visit mum at our convenience with absolutely no restriction on time. Would recommend Exit Here as they are a wonderful and brilliant team of people who can manage expectations and deliver the service you want. Thank you again for the support and kindness shown to both my sister and I at such a dark time in our lives - we will be forever grateful.”
— Margaret Choy
“They listened empathetically and intelligently and somehow seemed to immediately understand what we knew our mum would have wanted. This is not the first funeral I've organised but most definitely it was the most heart-warming, joyous celebration thanks to Exit Here's input. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble, no matter how many times I popped in there was an offer of tea and someone to listen. It's a great team; a fantastic service and I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
— Amanda Evans