17 Aug 20258 min read

What to do when someone dies in the UK: simple steps to ease the stress

Losing someone is hard enough without the admin. This guide gives clear steps and shows how SafeKeep makes life easier.

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest moments in life. Alongside the emotional pain, there is often a mountain of practical tasks that feel impossible when you are grieving. Many people tell us they had no idea where to start or what to prioritise, and the stress of managing admin only deepened their sadness.

This guide is here to make that journey a little easier. It offers clear steps you can take in the days and weeks following a bereavement in the UK, and shows how tools like SafeKeep can help you feel less alone and more in control.

First steps immediately after someone passes

Losing a loved one, whatever the circumstances, is likely to be deeply shocking.

Please be aware that if your loved one dies unexpectedly, and they are not under the care of a doctor, you should call 999 immediately.

Both the police and paramedics will attend and confirm that the person has died. It is standard for the police to attend unexpected deaths, they will collect information and contact the coroners office who will arrange for the deceased to be collected by a private ambulance and taken into the care of the Coroners Office.

The Coroner will then determine how to ascertain the cause of death and they will issue certificates of death directly to you in most cases. Involvement of the Coroner can cause delay to funeral arrangements and you should avoid making funeral arrangements in full until the Coroner has notified you that it is okay to do so.

In all cases of losing a loved one, a medical professional has to confirm the death. If your loved one dies in hospital or in a care home, staff will arrange this for you. If they pass away at home and they are under the care of a doctor, you need to call their GP or 111 if it is outside normal surgery hours.

A doctor will then issue a medical certificate showing the cause of death. You will need this certificate to register the death, so keep it safe.

You will usually need the person’s NHS number and details of where and when they passed away. While this can feel overwhelming, taking this step quickly means you can begin the process of planning and notifying others without delays.

Contact the death notification service for more information.

Registering the death within the legal timeframe

In the UK, the law requires you to register a death within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or within eight days in Scotland. You can do this at your local register office by booking an appointment online or by phone. You will need the medical certificate issued by the doctor and, if you have them, details such as the person’s full name, date and place of birth, occupation and last address. If they were married or in a civil partnership, you will also need details of their spouse or partner.

Once registered, you will receive the official death certificate. It is best to ask for several copies because banks, insurers and other organisations often need original documents. You will also be given a form for burial or cremation. At this stage, you can also use the government’s Tell Us Once service to inform most government departments in one go.

Planning and arranging the funeral

If your loved one left clear instructions in their will, their SafeKeep account or with a family member, use these as a guide. If no instructions are available, the next of kin will usually decide on the type of service. Most people choose to work with a funeral director, and using one that is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors can give extra reassurance.

Funeral costs can be a surprise, so check if your loved one had any prepaid plans or funeral insurance. Some people also have funeral wishes stored digitally, and SafeKeep Legacy Contacts can quickly access these details, saving hours of searching through paperwork.

Lynn, who lost her father just before the birth of her first child, said that the lack of up-to-date instructions meant her family had to “navigate a sea of chaos while managing the grief of loss” . Planning ahead or using tools that make key information easy to find can help families focus on saying goodbye rather than searching for answers.

Securing property and notifying people

If your loved one lived alone, their property will need immediate attention. Lock up the home, switch off unnecessary utilities and consider redirecting their mail to a trusted address using the Royal Mail service. This helps prevent identity fraud and ensures that important correspondence is not missed.

You will also need to inform people close to your loved one. This often includes family, friends, employers or colleagues and, if they were renting, the landlord or housing association. Taking notes of who you have spoken to and what actions have been agreed will save you from repeating difficult conversations.

Rosa, who managed both of her parents’ affairs after their deaths, described how these tasks quickly took over. “In the days following both of my parents’ deaths, we found ourselves less consumed by tears and more by forms, death certificates, passwords and endless call centre hold music” . Having a clear checklist can help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Accessing SafeKeep and managing digital legacy

Many people now have bank accounts, subscriptions and even memories stored online. If your loved one used SafeKeep and named you as a Legacy Contact, you can access essential documents, account details and personal instructions securely. This can save you from searching through drawers of paperwork or waiting on hold with service providers only to be told you need additional information.

SafeKeep is designed to hold everything from bank account details to insurance policies and final wishes in one secure place. This means you can quickly understand what needs to be closed, transferred or actioned, reducing confusion during a time that already feels heavy.

Not yet signed up to SafeKeep?

Contacting banks and utilities

Once you have the death certificate, you can begin contacting banks, building societies and other organisations. Most financial institutions will freeze accounts until they receive the proper paperwork, so it helps to keep a record of each conversation and any reference numbers provided.

In addition to banks, contact utility providers, mortgage lenders or landlords, mobile and broadband companies, and vehicle registration services such as the DVLA. Some organisations may also request additional identification before making changes, so having multiple copies of the death certificate is useful.

To stop unwanted mail after a person passes, you can use the Royal Mail redirection service or Stop Mail.

Checking for a will and handling the estate

Locating a will is an important next step, as it names the executor who is legally responsible for managing the estate. If no will exists, the estate will be handled according to UK intestacy rules. Executors must apply for probate in England and Wales or confirmation in Scotland, value the estate, pay any debts and taxes and then distribute assets to beneficiaries.

This process can take several months, depending on the complexity of the estate and whether disputes arise. Tools like SafeKeep can help by storing copies of wills and supporting documents in one secure location, so executors can access what they need quickly without searching through piles of paperwork.

One SafeKeep user, Lynn, said she wanted to “ensure that my family has everything they need readily available when the time comes”. Preparing now can save loved ones from legal delays and confusion later.

Caring for dependants and pets

If your loved one had children, vulnerable adults or pets relying on their care, you will need to arrange immediate support. This might mean contacting family members, close friends or professional care providers to ensure that everyone, including pets, is safe and supported. Temporary care arrangements can be made while long-term plans are confirmed, especially if guardianship or rehoming needs to be formally addressed.

SafeKeep can be particularly useful here, as many users choose to store details of childcare preferences, pet care instructions and trusted contacts in their account. Having quick access to this information means you can act confidently during an emotional time rather than scrambling for answers.

Taking care of yourself through grief

Managing practical tasks while processing grief can be exhausting. It is easy to forget about your own well-being, yet taking care of yourself is essential. Reach out to friends or family and consider bereavement support services if you are finding it difficult to cope.

Give yourself permission to pause, to ask for help and to let others take on tasks where they can.

Consider bereavement counselling such as Cruse or Grief Chat.

Making it easier for others in future

One of the most powerful steps you can take is to prepare for your own future now. This does not mean expecting the worst, but rather giving your loved ones clarity and peace of mind when they need it most. Storing documents such as wills, insurance policies, bank details and personal wishes in one secure place ensures that those left behind can focus on healing rather than searching through drawers or waiting on hold with multiple organisations.

SafeKeep was created to make this process simple and secure. It lets you store key documents, assign trusted Legacy Contacts and even leave personal messages or instructions that can be accessed at the right time.

Take the stress out of future life admin. SafeKeep helps you store documents, share wishes and give loved ones clarity when they need it most.

Written with ❤️ by our Safe Keepers.