1. Obtain a Medical Certificate

• If the death occurs at home, contact the person’s GP or the emergency services. A doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• If the death happens in a hospital or care home, staff will usually handle this.
• If the death was unexpected or unexplained, the coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland) may be involved.

2. Notify Close Family & Friends

• Let immediate family and close friends know about the death.
• You may also want to inform an employer or key contacts.

3. Contact a Funeral Director

• They can guide you through arrangements and help transport the deceased to a funeral home if needed.
• If the person wanted a direct cremation or home funeral, alternative arrangements may be necessary.

4. Register the Death

• Visit the local Register Office with the Medical Certificate.
• You will receive a Death Certificate and other documents needed for funeral and legal arrangements.

Funeral Directory – Managed by the National Association of Funeral Directors, this directory lists over 4,000 NAFD member funeral homes across the UK. Find it at funeral-directory.co.uk.

The Natural Death Centre – Provides a comprehensive list of natural burial grounds across the UK. Explore options at naturaldeath.org.uk.

MuchLoved – A space to honor and remember someone special while fundraising in their memory. Visit muchloved.com.

ForeverMissed – Create a memorial website to preserve and share cherished memories of your loved one. Learn more at forevermissed.com.

Keeper – An interactive storytelling platform that uses modern technology, including QR codes, to memorialize and celebrate the lives of the departed. Explore at mykeeper.com.

Widowed & Young (WAY) – The only charity in the UK supporting people aged 50 or under when their partner dies. Grief is different for everyone, and there’s no guidebook for navigating it. Learn more at www.widowedandyoung.org.uk.

National Bereavement Service – Provides practical and emotional support on topics like what to do after a bereavement, finding a funeral director, and handling wills and probate. Their Free National Helpline is available at 0800 0246 121. Visit www.nationalbereavementservice.org for more information.

Child Bereavement UK – Supports families and trains professionals when a baby or child of any age is dying or has died, as well as helping children facing bereavement. Visit childbereavementuk.org.

Winston’s Wish – A national charity providing support for children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling. They offer face-to-face support, online chat via their website, and a Freephone National Helpline at 08088 020 021 for parents, carers, and professionals. More details at winstonswish.org.

Nelson’s Journey – A Norfolk-based charity supporting children and young people coping with the death of a significant person in their life. Their award-winning Youth Panel created the Smiles & Tears app, available for iPhone and Android, to help young people manage their grief. Learn more at nelsonsjourney.org.uk.

SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) – A charity dedicated to supporting individuals over 18 who have lost someone to suicide, helping them navigate grief and reduce isolation. Visit uksobs.org for support.

Blue Cross – Offers a Pet Bereavement Support Service for those who have lost a beloved pet and need someone to talk to. Find support at bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss.