What to Do When Someone Dies: Checklist for England and Wales

Ask one or two people to help you make the calls. You do not have to do this alone.

A doctor issues it, and it is needed before the death can be registered. If the death is reported to a coroner, registration may wait until the coroner has finished. Source: GOV.UK, What to do after someone dies.

In England and Wales a death should be registered within 5 days. Use the register office for the area where the person died if you can, as other offices take longer. If a coroner is involved, it can take longer. Source: GOV.UK, Register a death.

The registrar gives you the certificate that lets the funeral go ahead. Order enough certified copies of the death certificate for the banks, pension providers and others you will deal with.

In most areas, Tell Us Once lets you report the death to most government organisations in one go, such as HMRC, the DWP (including the State Pension), HM Passport Office and the DVLA. The registrar gives you a reference number and explains how to use it online or by phone. Source: GOV.UK, Tell Us Once.

Check their papers at home and ask their solicitor or bank. The will names the executors. Keep the original safe, and do not unstaple it or write on it.

Lock up, look after pets, and tell the home insurer, as cover can change when a home is left empty. Do not give away or sell anything yet.

Check the will for any wishes. Ask funeral directors for a written breakdown of costs before you choose, so you can compare.

If you get certain benefits, you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment. Source: GOV.UK, Funeral Expenses Payment.

There is a time limit to claim, so check early. Source: GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment.

If there is a will, the executors named in it usually apply for probate. If there is no will, a close relative can usually apply for letters of administration. Source: GOV.UK, Applying for probate.

Banks and building societies, private pension providers, insurers, utilities, phone and broadband, the landlord and any care provider. Ask each one what it needs, and for the balance on the date of death.

Ask about any pension still owed, death benefits, and whether a spouse or partner can claim. If you do not know which pensions the person had, the Pension Tracing Service can help you find contact details. Source: GOV.UK, Find pension contact details.

A lasting power of attorney ends when the person dies. Tell the Office of the Public Guardian and give your records of what you spent to the executor. Source: GOV.UK, Lasting power of attorney.

Property, bank and building society accounts, savings and investments, pensions that pay a lump sum, vehicles and belongings, and debts such as a mortgage, loans, bills and the funeral. Source: GOV.UK, Valuing the estate of someone who's died.

Ask banks for date-of-death balances. For a house or valuable items you may need a professional valuation. GOV.UK explains how to value each kind of asset.

Some gifts made in the 7 years before death can count towards the estate for Inheritance Tax. Source: GOV.UK, Inheritance Tax.

Many estates do not pay Inheritance Tax, for example when the estate is below the threshold or everything is left to a husband, wife, civil partner or charity. Check the current thresholds and exemptions on GOV.UK, and get help if the estate is close to the threshold. Source: GOV.UK, Inheritance Tax.

For deaths on or after 1 January 2022, many estates (called excepted estates) do not need an Inheritance Tax form: you give the values in the probate application. Otherwise, or if Inheritance Tax is due, you usually need form IHT400. Form IHT205 is only for deaths before 1 January 2022. Source: GOV.UK, Valuing the estate of someone who's died.

Inheritance Tax is usually due by the end of the sixth month after the death, and HMRC charges interest after that. You usually have to pay at least some of it before you can get probate. GOV.UK explains how to pay, including from the person's bank account. Source: GOV.UK, Inheritance Tax.

GOV.UK says you need to wait 20 working days after sending IHT400 before you apply for probate. Source: GOV.UK, Applying for probate.

You may not need it if everything was owned jointly and passes to the surviving owner, or if the estate is small. Each bank or organisation has its own rules on when it asks to see a grant, so ask them. Source: GOV.UK, Applying for probate.

You can apply online or by post. You will need the original will, if there is one, the death certificate and the estate values. Source: GOV.UK, Applying for probate.

Banks and others usually want to see an official copy, so having a few saves time.

Executors often place a notice in The Gazette and a local newspaper so that unknown creditors can come forward before the estate is shared out. A solicitor can tell you whether you need one.

Send each bank, building society and investment company what it asks for, such as the grant, and ask it to close the accounts and pay the money to the estate.

Many executors open an executor or estate account. Write down every payment in and out with the date and a receipt. These records become the estate accounts. If a spreadsheet helps, we make a UK executor spreadsheet.

Debts are paid from the estate before anything goes to beneficiaries. You do not usually have to pay them from your own money, unless, for example, a debt was in joint names. If the estate cannot pay everything, get advice before paying anyone.

Keep it insured and secure, and tell the local council about Council Tax, as an empty home may get an exemption or a discount for a time. Sell it or transfer it as the will or the law says.

HMRC may need a final tax return or calculation up to the date of death, and the estate may owe tax on income or gains while you deal with it. Source: GOV.UK, What to do when someone dies: step by step.

Show what the estate owned, what came in, what was paid out (debts, tax, the funeral and other costs) and what is left for each beneficiary. Share them with the beneficiaries who receive what is left.

Once all the Inheritance Tax is paid, you can apply to HMRC for a clearance certificate (form IHT30). Ask a solicitor or accountant whether you need one.

If there is no will, the law decides who inherits, and GOV.UK has a tool to check. Source: GOV.UK, Who inherits if someone dies without a will.

It records what each person received and when.

Do this after the last bill is paid and the last share is given out. Keep the accounts, receipts and tax papers safe, in case questions come up later.