Bereavement

When someone dies, there are three main things that usually need to be done in the first few days:

1. Obtain a medical certificate of cause of death from the GP or hospital doctor.


2. Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland) to receive the necessary documents.


3. Make funeral arrangements — either with a funeral director or by arranging it yourself.

If the death has been referred to the Coroner, registration cannot take place until permission is given.

Registering the Death

You can register a death if you are a relative, someone present at the death, an administrator from the hospital, or the person arranging the funeral.

Use the official guide on GOV.UK for step-by-step instructions and local registration office details: Register a Death – GOV.UK.

Arranging the Funeral

The funeral can usually only take place after the death has been registered. Most people choose to use a funeral director, but you can also make arrangements yourself.

• National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)


• Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)


• Humanist Ceremonies – non-religious funerals

You can also contact your local council’s Cemeteries and Crematorium department to arrange a funeral yourself.

Funeral Costs & Financial Help

Funeral costs may include:

• Funeral director fees


• Crematorium or cemetery charges


• Third-party disbursements (e.g. flowers, newspaper notices)

If you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment or Bereavement Support Payment.