What to do when someone dies: step by step
Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and deal with the estate.
This step by step is also available as a Welsh (Cymraeg) guide.
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Step 1 Register the death
Check what to do if:
- the death has been reported to a coroner
- the death happened outside the UK
- you're registering a stillbirth
- someone is missing and you think they're dead
To stop or change benefits payments you can tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about the death straight away.
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Step 2 Arrange the funeral
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Step 3 Tell government about the death
The Tell Us Once service allows you to inform all the relevant government departments when someone dies.
- Use the Tell Us Once service to tell government
- If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell government yourself
You'll also need to tell banks, utility companies, and landlords or housing associations yourself.
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Step 4 Check if you can get bereavement benefits
You might be eligible for financial help.
Check if you can get:
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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.
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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:
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Step 5 Apply for probate and check if you need to pay Inheritance Tax
You might need to apply for probate and pay Inheritance Tax before you can deal with the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the person who died.
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Step 6 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.