What to do First When Someone Dies

What to do First When Someone Dies

9th October 2026 by Mears Family Funerals  

When someone dies, the first priority is to make sure the death has been confirmed by the right professional, the person who has died is being cared for properly, and the closest family have enough support around them to take the next step. If you need to arrange a funeral after a death, what to do first depends on where the death happened and whether it was expected, but there is a clear order to follow.

At Mears Family Funerals, we help families from the earliest stage, often before any funeral decisions have been made. You do not need to have everything worked out before speaking to us. In the first hours and days, we can explain what happens next, what documents will be needed, and how the funeral can start to take shape at a pace that feels manageable.

What to do in the first few hours after a death

If the death happens at home and was expected, call the GP surgery or the NHS service that has been caring for the person. A doctor, district nurse or another appropriate professional will confirm the death and explain what happens next. If the person was under hospice or palliative care, that team will usually guide you through the immediate process.

If the death happens in hospital or in a care home, staff will normally take care of the first formal steps. They will confirm the death, explain whether the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death can be issued straight away, and tell you when you can begin the registration process.

If the death is unexpected, call 999. This includes a sudden death at home, a death where the cause is unclear, or any situation where emergency services need to attend. In these circumstances, the police and the coroner may become involved. That does not always mean there has been anything suspicious, but it can mean the funeral cannot be finalised until the coroner has given permission for release.

In England and Wales, which is the process most families we support will follow, the doctor or hospital usually sends the medical cause of death paperwork directly to the registrar electronically. That is now standard practice in many areas. If the death is referred to the coroner, the registrar will wait for the coroner's paperwork instead.

Once the death has been confirmed, you can contact us to bring your loved one into our care. We can arrange collection from a home, hospital, hospice or care setting and take them to one of our Care Centres. If you would like to spend time with them later, we can talk to you about visiting our Chapel of Rest when the time is right.

Which documents and official steps come next

The next main step is registering the death. In England and Wales, a death should normally be registered within five days, unless the coroner is involved. The registration is done at the local register office for the district where the death occurred. Some areas require an appointment, and many registrars will tell you exactly what has been received from the doctor or coroner before you attend.

The person registering the death is usually a relative, but it can also be someone present at the death, the occupier of the house or hospital administrator, depending on the circumstances. The registrar will ask for details such as the full name, date and place of birth, usual address, occupation, marital status, and details of any surviving spouse or civil partner.

After registration, the registrar issues the death certificate, formally called the certified copy of the entry in the register of deaths, if you purchase copies. You will usually need several certified copies if banks, insurers, pension providers or solicitors ask for originals. The registrar also issues the form needed for burial or cremation. In England and Wales this is commonly called the green form, the Certificate for Burial or Cremation, unless the coroner has already issued separate authority.

If a cremation is planned, the crematorium will also need the relevant cremation paperwork. We handle that with you and check that nothing is missing before the booking is made.

It helps to gather supporting information early, including the NHS number if available, birth certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, and details of any state pension or benefits. You may also wish to use the Tell Us Once service, where available, to notify several government departments in one step.

Separate legal matters, such as property, estates and Wills & Probate, usually follow later, but it is sensible to locate any will, funeral plan, or written wishes as soon as possible. These documents can answer important questions about the type of funeral the person wanted and who has authority to make decisions.

When to contact a funeral director

You can contact a funeral director as soon as the death has been confirmed, even before the registration appointment has taken place. Many families assume they need all the paperwork first, but that is not the case.

We can help from the outset by advising on the immediate procedure, liaising with hospitals, hospices, care homes and coroners, and arranging the transfer of your loved one into our care. If the death happened away from home, or overseas, we can also assist with Repatriation. As part of The Steven Mears Group, we support families with local funerals and with more complex arrangements across the UK and internationally.

Early contact also gives you breathing space. We can explain the difference between a Basic Funeral, Bespoke Funerals and Direct Cremation, talk through timescales, and outline likely costs clearly. If you want to understand the options before committing to details, our guide to arranging funeral arrangements over the phone may also help.

In practical terms, we can start provisional arrangements before every decision is final. That might include bringing your loved one into our Care Centres, noting any religious or cultural requirements, discussing whether family visits to the Chapel of Rest are wanted, and pencilling in possible dates with a crematorium or cemetery once authority is available.

How to start making funeral decisions without feeling overwhelmed

The first decisions are usually the hardest because they come so soon after the loss. It helps to focus on just a few essentials.

The first is whether the funeral will be burial or cremation. If the person left clear wishes in a will, funeral plan or conversation, those wishes should guide the decision. If not, the next of kin or the person arranging the funeral will usually decide after discussing it with close family.

The second is the type of funeral. Some families want a full traditional service with mourners attending, vehicles, flowers and printed stationery. Others prefer something simpler. A Basic Funeral may provide the structure and dignity they want without unnecessary extras. Direct Cremation may be right where a private committal is preferred, with a separate memorial gathering later. If you want a clearer sense of that option, our explanation of what families can expect from a Direct Cremation sets out the practical points.

The third is the style of service. This might be a service in church, chapel, crematorium, cemetery chapel or another venue, or no formal service at all. You may want a celebrant, minister, priest, imam, rabbi or another faith leader. You may also wish to choose music, readings, family speakers, flowers and the Order of Service. If that part feels unfamiliar, our guide to creating an Order of Service explains what is usually included.

After that, you can look at the details. These may include the coffin choice, including natural options such as willow coffins made by Somerset Willow, transport such as a Traditional Horse Drawn Funeral, floral tributes, notices, donations, and what should happen to the ashes after cremation. We can also help with Memorials and keepsakes such as Cremation Urns, Fingerprint Jewellery and Ashes into Glass.

Try not to make every decision in one sitting. A good funeral arrangement meeting should break things into stages and leave room for questions.

Practical matters to deal with alongside the funeral

While funeral plans are being made, a few practical matters often need urgent attention.

If the person lived alone, make sure the home is secure. Lock doors and windows, collect any urgent post, and check whether pets need care. If there are dependants, make immediate arrangements for children, vulnerable adults or anyone who relied on the person day to day.

You may also need to inform close family, friends and the person's employer. It can help to nominate one relative or friend to pass on updates so the nearest family are not repeating the same information constantly.

Financially, check whether direct debits need monitoring, especially for care fees, rent, mortgage, utilities or insurance. Do not cancel everything immediately, as some essential services still need to be maintained. If the funeral costs will be paid from the deceased's bank account, the bank may release funds directly to the funeral director on receipt of the invoice and death certificate, depending on its procedure.

There may also be personal items to collect from a hospital or care home, and medical equipment to arrange for return. If the person had digital accounts, it is worth locating passwords or making a note of providers, though formal access often comes later through the estate process.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to accept help. Family and friends can handle calls, gather photos, choose music, draft notices or coordinate refreshments. You do not have to carry every task yourself.

When you need to arrange a funeral after a death, what to do first is not to have all the answers. It is to take the next practical step, confirm the death, begin the registration process, and speak to a funeral director who can guide you through the rest. At Mears Family Funerals, we support families one step at a time, with clear advice, local care and help that starts from the very first call.

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