What to do after someone dies

What to do after someone dies

14 JANUARY 2026 14:00

What to do after someone dies

We know that navigating the period following a bereavement involves both practical and emotional considerations. Here's our guide to the key actions you need to take and some links to national and local support services. 

Practical Considerations

  1. Obtain a Death Certificate: This is essential for handling legal and financial matters. You can usually get this from the hospital or through your local registrar’s office. 
  2. Notify Relevant Parties: Inform family, friends, and the deceased's employer. You can use the Tell Us Once service to notify multiple agencies – including DWP, HMRC, DVLA, The Passport Office, your local council and some public sector pension schemes. You can also use DWP’s Bereavement Service helpline to cancel benefits, including State Pension.
  3. Arrange the Funeral: If you’re receiving a means tested benefit you may be eligible for a funeral expenses payment for help towards the costs. If the funeral is for a child under the age of 18, burial and cremation fees should usually be waived, and a £500 non-repayable contribution will be made towards other funeral costs. The Good Funeral Guide gives free advice on how to organise a funeral.
  4. Manage Financial Affairs: Gather all financial documents, such as wills, bank statements, and insurance policies. Check whether there are any life assurance or health policies held, and whether any car/home policies need to be changed into single ownership. Some credit agreements may have insurance policies to pay off the credit in case of death. You will need to notify HMRC. They have a bereavement service for help with tax issues following a death. 
  5. Secure Property: Ensure the deceased's home and belongings are secure. Make sure the property is still covered by insurance and that basic utilities remain connected. What happens with a property following a death depends on a number of issues, including whether the deceased had a will, or whether the property was jointly owned. You can find out more about this here. If the property was rented through the local authority, you may be able to remain at the property through succession. If the tenancy was joint, it should automatically transfer to a single tenancy.
  6. Debts: Any debts of the deceased need to be dealt with. A notice should be placed in the Gazette to inform any creditors to make a claim against the estate. If this is not done, and creditors come forward once the estate has been settled, debts may have to be paid from your own money. Generally, if there is not enough money in the deceased’s estate to settle the debts, no-one else will be liable for them. However, if it was a joint agreement or account then the debt can still be recovered from the surviving person. If you were living with the deceased, you may also be liable for any council tax or water bill debts.
  7. Check your benefit entitlement: You may be eligible for bereavement benefits, such as bereavement support payment or guardians allowance. You may also be eligible for other benefits, such as Universal/Pension Credit or council tax reduction. You can use our free online calculator to check if you may be entitled or get in touch with us for an appointment.

Emotional Support

  1. Seek Support: Lean on friends, family, or support groups. Organisations like Cruse Bereavement Support offer helplines and counselling. Hwyl Dda health board offer bereavement services for relatives of those who have passed away in one of their hospitals, or you can find a list of support services on the NHS website.
  2. Express Your Emotions: It's important to allow yourself to grieve. Writing, talking, or engaging in creative activities can help process your feelings. Your mental health is important, if you feel like you’re struggling, seek help. If you need someone to talk to, you can contact the Samaritans or SHOUT.
  3. Take Care of Yourself: Ensure you are eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity. Self-care is crucial during this time.

Locally

The following organisations provide free support services in Ceredigion:

  • HAHAV runs a bereavement support service for adults (18+) across the county
  • Cruse West Wales provides support, advice and information to children, young people and adults.
  • Age Cymru Dyfed provides a bereavement support service for people aged 70+
  • Area 43 has a list of bereavement resources for young people

[Image with thanks to the Good Funeral Guide.]

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