What to do when someone dies
When someone dies there are many decisions and arrangements to be made. Unfortunately, these decisions and arrangements have to be made at a time of personal distress. Some of the matters can be dealt with by a close relative or friend; others will need to be dealt with by the executors appointed in the Will.
In any case, it is very useful to put together a list of personal details for the deceased person including:
- National Insurance number
- NHS number
- Date and place of birth
- Date of marriage or civil partnership
- Child Benefit number
- Tax reference number
This will make the task of completing forms and documents much easier.
What to do in the first five days
- Register the death at the local registry office
- Notify the deceased's GP
- Find the Will and contact the executor so that they can begin the process of obtaining probate
- Arrange the funeral
- Notify the local Department for Work and Pensions office
Other people to contact later on
- Friends and relatives
- Banks / Building Societies
- Insurance Companies
- Pension service or private pension
- Mortgage provider or landlord
- Loan companies
- Credit card provider
- Subscriptions
- Utilities
- Employer
- Dentist
- Optician
- Local authority
- DVLA
- Passport office
- Home care help
- Royal mail if post needs redirecting
- Clubs / unions / associations
- Church or place of worship
- Social groups
- Creditors - anyone to whom the deceased owed money
- Debtors - anyone who owed the deceased money
- Local newspaper - you may wish to place an obituary notice
Financial help
It may be possible to claim certain benefits and one-off payments if you were dependent on the deceased. To find out whether you qualify you will need to contact your nearest benefits agency.
