What to do when someone dies

What to Do When Someone Dies: A Simple Guide

Knowing what to do when someone dies can feel overwhelming, especially in the first few hours after a loss. The steps you need to take will depend on how the person died, whether the death was expected or unexpected, where they were at the time, and whether it happened during the day or at night.

Each situation may involve different people to contact and different procedures to follow. This guide explains the first practical steps to take when someone dies at home, in a care home, in hospital, unexpectedly or while abroad.

For official guidance, you can also read the GOV.UK guidance on what to do when someone dies.

What to Do When Someone Dies at Home

If someone dies at home, the first steps will depend on whether the death was expected or unexpected, and whether it happens during the day or at night.

During the Day

If your loved one dies during the day and the death was expected, such as following a terminal illness, contact their GP, district nurse, hospice team or NHS 111 as soon as possible.

During the Night

If your loved one dies at night and the death was expected, call NHS 111 for guidance. In some cases, you may be advised to wait until the morning before contacting their GP.

A medical professional will need to confirm the death. Once this has happened, you can contact Bennetts Funeral Directors for guidance and to arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care.

If you are not the next of kin or a close relative, you should notify them as soon as possible.

The doctor will then contact the medical examiner, who will review the cause of death. The medical examiner’s office will explain the next steps and confirm when you are able to register the death.

Once the death has been registered, you will usually receive the certificate for burial or cremation, often known as the green form. This is normally needed before the funeral can take place.

Unexpected Death at Home

If the death is sudden, unexpected, or the cause of death is unknown, call 999 immediately. You should leave the area untouched, apart from any resuscitation attempts or actions taken by the emergency services.

In these circumstances, the police may attend and the death may be referred to HM Coroner. The Coroner’s Officer will explain what happens next and may request a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Where a death is referred to HM Coroner, the funeral cannot usually take place until the coroner’s investigation has been completed and the necessary documents have been issued.

Has someone passed away at home?

Bennetts Funeral Directors can still offer advice and support during this time. We can explain what may happen next and guide you through the funeral arrangements once the coroner has confirmed how matters will proceed.

What to Do When Someone Dies in Hospital

If your loved one dies in hospital, the hospital staff will usually inform the next of kin or closest family members as soon as possible. Many hospitals have a bereavement office or bereavement team who will explain what happens next and guide you through the hospital’s procedures.

If there is no dedicated bereavement team available, the ward staff will usually provide this information and explain who you need to speak to.

Will the Hospital Issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death?

When the cause of death is known, a hospital doctor will usually complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This will then be reviewed through the medical examiner process before the death can be registered.

The medical examiner’s office will usually contact the next of kin or family representative to explain the cause of death, answer any questions and confirm when the death can be registered.

If the cause of death is unknown, unclear, sudden, unnatural or requires further investigation, the hospital doctor may need to refer the death to HM Coroner. The Coroner’s Officer will explain what happens next and may arrange a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Where a death is referred to HM Coroner, the funeral cannot usually take place until the coroner’s enquiries have been completed and the necessary documents have been issued.

If a cremation is planned, you should let the hospital bereavement office and your funeral director know, as the necessary cremation paperwork will need to be completed before the funeral can take place.

Where Is My Loved One Kept If They Die in Hospital?

If your loved one dies in hospital, they will usually be taken to the hospital mortuary. They will remain there until the next of kin or family representative appoints a funeral director and gives permission for them to be collected.

Once Bennetts Funeral Directors has been instructed, we will liaise directly with the hospital to arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care. You may be asked to complete or sign an authorisation form before we can take them into our care.

What Happens to My Loved One’s Possessions If They Die in Hospital?

Hospital staff will keep your loved one’s personal possessions safe until they can be collected by the next of kin, family representative or the person dealing with the estate. The hospital may ask for identification and may provide a receipt when the belongings are collected.

Has Someone Passed Away in Hospital?

If someone has died in hospital and you need advice on what to do next, Bennetts Funeral Directors can help. We can explain the next steps, liaise with the hospital on your behalf and arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care as soon as the hospital is able to release them.

What to Do When Someone Dies in a Care Home or Hospice

If your loved one dies in a care home or hospice, the staff will guide you through the first steps. They will be familiar with the process and can provide support, advice and practical guidance at the time.

Immediately After Death

If you were not present when your loved one died, the care home or hospice staff will usually notify you as soon as possible. You may also be able to spend time with your loved one, if you wish to do so.

When the Death Was Expected

If the death was expected, a medical professional will need to confirm the death. The GP or doctor involved in your loved one’s care will usually complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which will then be reviewed through the medical examiner process.

The medical examiner’s office will explain the next steps and confirm when you are able to register the death. In many cases, the care home or hospice staff will help by contacting the relevant medical professionals and guiding you through what needs to happen next.

If the Death Was Unexpected

If the death was sudden, unexpected, or the cause of death is unclear, the death may need to be referred to HM Coroner. The Coroner’s Officer will explain what happens next and may arrange a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Where a death is referred to HM Coroner, the funeral cannot usually take place until the coroner’s enquiries have been completed and the necessary documents have been issued.

Care home or hospice staff may help by notifying Bennetts Funeral Directors and coordinating with us on your behalf. We can then arrange to bring your loved one into our care when the necessary permissions are in place.

What Happens to My Loved One’s Body If They Die in a Care Home or Hospice?

Staff at the care home or hospice will usually have received training in caring for someone after death. Families are often given the opportunity to spend time with their loved one, sit peacefully, say goodbye, share memories, or follow any important cultural or religious customs.

Has Someone Passed Away in a Care Home or Hospice?

If someone has died in a care home or hospice and you need advice on what to do next, Bennetts Funeral Directors can help. We can liaise with the care home, hospice and medical professionals, and arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care as soon as this can take place.

What to Do When Someone Dies Abroad

It can be especially difficult and distressing when someone dies abroad. The steps you need to take will depend on whether you are overseas with them at the time, or whether you are in the UK and have been told that your loved one has died in another country.

This section explains what to do when someone dies abroad, including who to contact, how the death is registered, and how Bennetts Funeral Directors can support you if your loved one needs to be brought home.

If You Are Abroad Together

If someone dies while you are travelling or on holiday abroad, you should contact the nearest British embassy, High Commission or Consulate for guidance.

You should also inform your travel company, tour organiser or resort representative if your trip was booked through a holiday provider. Many travel companies have welfare representatives who can help you understand the local procedures and support you at a difficult time.

If you are staying in private accommodation or are unsure what to do, local police, medical staff or the British embassy should be able to advise you on the next steps.

If They Are Abroad and You Are in the UK

If your loved one dies abroad while you are in the UK, you may be contacted by the British Consulate, embassy, police, travel company or tour operator.

If you are contacted by a holiday representative or tour operator, you can also contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for advice and guidance.

Receiving this news from overseas can feel overwhelming, so it can help to ask a close family member or friend to support you while the practical arrangements are being made.

How Do I Register a Death Abroad?

A death must be registered in the country where the person died, following that country’s local rules and procedures. The British embassy, High Commission or Consulate can usually explain what is required and help you understand the local process.

You can also apply to register the death with the UK authorities if you would like a UK record of the death, but this is not always required. If the person is brought home for a burial or cremation in the UK, the General Register Office will usually record this as part of the funeral process.

How Do I Bring a Body Back from Abroad for a UK Funeral?

Bringing someone home after they have died abroad is known as repatriation. To bring a body back to the UK, you will usually need a death certificate, an English translation if required, and permission from the relevant authority in the country where the person died.

A funeral director in the country where the death occurred will usually help prepare the necessary paperwork and arrange transport. Bennetts Funeral Directors can then liaise with the overseas funeral director and support the arrangements once your loved one is returned to the UK.

When the body arrives in the UK, the death certificate will usually need to be taken to the register office in the area where the funeral is taking place before the funeral can proceed.

How to Bring Cremated Remains Home After an Overseas Funeral

If your loved one was cremated abroad and you wish to bring their ashes home, you will usually need the death certificate and certificate of cremation. Requirements can vary between countries and airlines, so it is important to check before travelling.

GOV.UK guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad advises that you do not need a permit to bring ashes into the UK, although you may need to show documentation when leaving the country where the cremation took place.

Do You Need Further Information About What to Do When Someone Dies?

When someone has died, it can be overwhelming to think about everything that needs to be done. To help support you Bennetts Funeral Directors provides help and advice on topics such as registering a death, arranging a funeral, bereavement support, applying for probate and the will and many other practical and emotional issues.

If you need immediate assistance Bennetts Funeral Directors will help.

Call 01277 210104 and 01277 627492  we are here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do When Someone Dies