What Do I Need to Do When Someone Dies?

Putting aside the emotional aspect, there are various legal steps that must be taken in the immediate stages when someone dies, even before you start to worry about probate.

Police and ambulance should immediately be called following an unexpected death as a post-mortem examination is likely to be required. If somebody dies at home – following an illness – or in a care home or in a hospital, a doctor, eg, their GP, will sign the medical certificate and decide if the coroner needs to be informed.

Deaths in England must be reported to the Register Office – Southampton’s is in Bugle Street – in the districts that they occur within five days. Once the registrar has issued a death certificate, the funeral can be arranged.

A handy ‘Tell Us Once’ service on www.gov.uk allows you to contact HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Passport Office and the local council in one go.

Your registrar will give you a unique reference number to access this.

Banks and other financial organisations will need to be contacted separately.

For advice on the legal process, contact Heritage Will Writing on 02380 879243.