When someone dies, there are three main things that usually need to be done in the first few days:
- Obtain a medical certificate of cause of death from the GP or hospital doctor.
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland) to receive the necessary documents.
- Make funeral arrangements — either with a funeral director or by arranging it yourself.
If the death has been referred to the Coroner, registration cannot take place until permission is given.
Registering the Death
You can register a death if you are a relative, someone present at the death, an administrator from the hospital, or the person arranging the funeral.
Use the official guide on GOV.UK for step-by-step instructions and local registration office details: Register a Death – GOV.UK.
Arranging the Funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death has been registered. Most people choose to use a funeral director, but you can also make arrangements yourself.
- National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
- Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
- Humanist Ceremonies – non-religious funerals
You can also contact your local council’s Cemeteries and Crematorium department to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral Costs & Financial Help
Funeral costs may include:
- Funeral director fees
- Crematorium or cemetery charges
- Third-party disbursements (e.g. flowers, newspaper notices)
If you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment or Bereavement Support Payment.