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What do to when someone dies

 
There are three things that must be done when someone dies:

  1. Tell a doctor

    If the death occurs in a hospital or nursing home, this will be done for you. For deaths that occur at home, call the deceased’s GP, or an ambulance.

  2. Tell a funeral director

    If you have not chosen a funeral director you can find details of local services in the phone book. You may also find the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors or the National Association of Funeral Directors helpful.

    You have a right to organise your own funeral, in which case you will not need a funeral director. For information about organising your own funeral, see the Natural Death Centre.

  3. Register the death

    The death must be registered with the Council.

See the General Register Office website for more details.

Further information

For more detailed advice, visit the ‘What to do after a death’ page of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau website.

Help with bereavement

Look after yourself, and those around you.

Organisation such as Cruse Bereavement Care can be helpful, as can family, friends, and services such as private bereavement counselling.

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