For families · free to copy

When someone dies: the first week

You don't have to do everything at once. This sheet shows what comes first, for deaths in England or Wales. Tick things off as you go.

In the first hours

• Have the death confirmed.In a hospital, hospice or care home, the staff arrange this. At home, call the GP, or NHS 111 out of hours, if the death was expected. Call 999 if it was unexpected.
• Tell close family and friends.
• Look for a will, funeral wishes or a pre-paid funeral plan.If there's a plan, find it before you agree any costs.
• Choose a funeral director.You can choose any funeral director you like. Every funeral director must show a standard price list, so ask for it and for a written quote.

In the first week

• Wait for the medical examiner's office to confirm you can register the death.They review the cause of death and will contact you.
• Register the death within 5 days of that confirmation.Book an appointment with the local register office (details below). Buy several copies of the death certificate while you're there.
• Give the green form to the funeral director.The registrar gives you this. The funeral can't go ahead without it.
• Use Tell Us Once.The registrar will explain it. It tells most government departments and the council in one go.
• Tell the person's bank.Don't use their card or online banking. Many banks will pay the funeral director's bill straight from the account.
• Collect the person's belongings.The hospital, hospice or care home will tell you how and when.