Death and bereavement
The death of a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. This section outlines sources of practical advice and emotional support when someone dies. The 'What to do after someone dies' section on the GOV.UK website (external link) also has a wide range of useful information on topics including what to do after a death, benefits and money after a death (including Bereavement Payment), and sorting out property after a death.
Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths
To register a death you will need to make an appointment with the Registrar.
See Registering a death for more information.
Funerals
A funeral director will make all the arrangements for the funeral. The choice of funeral director is important. The firm may be known to you personally, may be recommended by a friend or a religious advisor, or may have a good reputation locally.
There are three trade associations for funeral directors, all of which have codes of practice covering information on prices, and guarantees that a funeral will not cost more than any written estimate given to you. These are:
- National Association of Funeral Directors (external link)
- National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (external link)
If you want to make your own arrangements for the funeral you can get advice from the Natural Death Centre (external link) which aims to support those dying at home, and their carers, and to help people to arrange inexpensive, do-it-yourself and environmentally-friendly funerals.
Grief and bereavement
- A list of bereavement organisations offering advice and support is available in the Registrars section
Publications
Age Concern England, Help the Aged, Which? Legal Service, the Inland Revenue and the Benefits Agency publish information and advice about the practical things that need to be done when someone dies. Useful publications include:
GOV.UK
- A step by step guide on GOV.UK: What to do when someone dies (external link)
- Inheritance Tax (external link) - free publications, available from local tax offices
Age UK
Which?
Publications from Which? Legal Service, available from:
- Which? Legal Service, Freepost, Hertford SG14 1SH
- FREEPHONE: 0800 25 21 00