What to do when someone dies

Information, advice and guidance on what to do when someone dies in Essex

Overview

It can be overwhelming when someone close dies. So, we have put together some advice and resources to help guide you through this difficult time.
GOV.UK provides a step by step guide on what you should do when someone dies.

This includes:

  • registering the death
  • arranging the funeral
  • telling the government about the death
  • checking if you can get bereavement benefits
  • dealing with the estate

To register a death in Essex, visit our page on How to register a death in Essex.

Notifying government and financial institutions

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. You can find out more about it in this short video.

The Death Notification Service is a free service which allows you to notify a number of banks and building societies (financial institutions) of a person's death, at the same time.

Other practicalities

There are other practicalities you will need to think about, such as how to pay for the funeral, and sorting out paperwork and personal matters. The Money Advice Service has put together a guide called ‘When someone dies’ which goes through this in detail.