What to do after someone dies

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When a death is reported to a coroner

If a death is reported to a coroner, the documents you need to register the death may be different. 

The coroner will try to find out how the person died. They’ll release the body for cremation or burial once they’ve carried out their examinations.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

If the coroner does not investigate

The coroner might decide that they do not need to investigate after a death is reported to them. The medical examiner will contact you to confirm you can register the death.

If the coroner finds the cause of death

If the coroner decides that the cause of death is clear:

  1. They’ll issue a certificate to the registrar saying that an inquest is not needed.

  2. The registrar will contact you to arrange for the death to be registered.

If the coroner holds an inquest

A coroner must hold an inquest if: 

  • the cause of death is still unknown 
  • the person might have died a violent or unnatural death 
  • the person might have died in prison or police custody 

Death certificates

If you need proof of the death while you wait for the inquest to finish, ask the coroner for an interim death certificate. 

Once the inquest is over, you can get the final death certificate from the registrar.

You can use either certificate to:

If a post-mortem is needed  

The coroner may decide a post-mortem is needed to find out how the person died. This can be done either in a hospital or mortuary.

A post mortem might take place even if a coroner decides not to investigate the death.

You cannot object to a coroner’s post-mortem - but if you’ve asked the coroner must tell you (and the person’s GP) when and where the examination will take place.

After the post-mortem

The coroner will release the body for a funeral once they have completed the post-mortem examinations and no further examinations are needed. 

If the body is released with no inquest, the coroner will send a form (‘Form CN2’) to the registrar stating the cause of death.

The coroner will also send a ‘Certificate of Coroner - form Cremation 6’ if the body is to be cremated.

Get help

You can get free, independent support from The Coroners’ Courts Support Service. 

The Coroners’ Courts Support Service Helpline (England and Wales)
Telephone: 0300 111 2141
Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm
Saturday, 9am to 2pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of What to do when someone dies: step by step

  1. Step 1 Register the death

    1. Register the death

    Check what to do if:

  2. Step 2 Tell government about the death

    The Tell Us Once service allows you to inform all the relevant government departments when someone dies.

    1. Use the Tell Us Once service to tell government
    2. If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell government yourself

    You'll also need to tell organisations outside government, like employers and private pension providers, banks, and utility companies.

  3. Step 3 Arrange the funeral

    1. Arrange the funeral
    2. Get help paying for a funeral
    3. Get help paying for a child's funeral

  4. Step 4 Check if you can get bereavement benefits

    You might be eligible for financial help.

    Check if you can get:

  5. and Deal with your own benefits, pension and taxes

    Your tax, benefit claims and pension might change depending on your relationship with the person who died.

    1. Manage your tax, pensions and benefits if your partner has died
    2. Check how benefits are affected if a child dies

  6. and Find bereavement support and services

    Get help with managing grief and the things you need to do when someone dies.

    1. Find bereavement help and support
    2. Find bereavement services from your local council

  7. and Check if you need to apply to stay in the UK

    If your right to live in the UK depends on your relationship with someone who died you might need to apply for a new visa.

    Check the rules if:

    1. Contact UKVI to check the rules for other visas

  8. Step 5 Value the estate and check if you need to pay Inheritance Tax

    To find out if there’s Inheritance Tax to pay, you need to estimate the value of the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.

    1. Value the estate and pay Inheritance Tax if it's due

  9. Step 6 Apply for probate

    You might need to apply for probate before you can deal with the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.

    1. Check if you need to apply for probate
    1. Apply for probate

  10. Step 7 Deal with the estate

    Pay any debts or taxes owed by the person who's died. You can then distribute the estate as set out in the will or the law.

    1. Deal with the estate
    1. Update property records