After › First steps after a death
First steps after a death
What you do first depends on whether the death was expected and where it happened. This page explains the doctor, the medical examiner, the coroner and the procurator fiscal in plain words.
If the death was expected
An expected death is one where the person was known to be ill, such as at the end of a long illness or under hospice care. If it happens at home, call the GP, the out-of-hours service or the community nurses. A doctor must confirm the death. In a hospital, care home or hospice, staff will do this and explain what happens next.
You can spend time with the person. There is no legal need to move them immediately, and you can ask for religious or cultural needs to be respected. When you are ready, you can contact a funeral director, who will arrange to take the person into their care. You do not need to choose one on the first night.
If the death was sudden or unexpected
Call 999. The police will usually attend an unexpected death at home. This is routine and not a sign that anyone is suspected of anything. The police and ambulance crew will explain what happens, including who will look after the person's body. The death may then be reported to a coroner (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or to the procurator fiscal (in Scotland).
The medical examiner (England and Wales)
GOV.UK explains that once the person's doctor has confirmed the death, a medical examiner, who is a senior doctor not involved in the person's care, checks the cause of death. Their office may contact you to explain it. Talking to them is voluntary. You should wait for the medical examiner's office to confirm that you can register the death. Then you have 5 days to register it in England and Wales. Read about registering a death in England and Wales.
When a death is reported to a coroner
A coroner tries to establish how the person died. According to GOV.UK, one of three things happens:
- The coroner decides not to investigate. A medical examiner then contacts you to confirm you can register the death.
- The cause of death is clear. The coroner sends the registrar a certificate saying no inquest is needed, and the registrar contacts you to arrange registration.
- An inquest is needed, for example if the cause of death is still unknown, the person may have died a violent or unnatural death, or may have died in prison or police custody.
A coroner may order a post-mortem to find the cause of death. You cannot object to a coroner's post-mortem. If you have asked, the coroner must tell you and the person's GP when and where it will take place. The body is released for a funeral once the examinations are finished.
Certificates while an inquest is open
If you need proof of death during an inquest, ask the coroner for an interim death certificate. After the inquest you get the final certificate from the registrar. GOV.UK says either can be used to apply for probate and to report the death through Tell Us Once.
Support
The Coroners' Courts Support Service gives free, independent help to people going through an inquest in England and Wales. GOV.UK lists its helpline as 0300 111 2141 (Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm). Check the number on GOV.UK before you ring.
Northern Ireland
Nidirect explains that a coroner first checks whether the death was from natural causes that a doctor can certify. If not, a post-mortem may be ordered. The consent of the next of kin is not needed for a coroner's post-mortem, although relatives can still have a doctor of their choice present. If a post-mortem or inquest is ordered, funeral arrangements should not be finalised until the coroner authorises release of the body. An inquest examines the circumstances of the death; nidirect stresses that it is not a trial.
Scotland
In Scotland, deaths that are sudden, suspicious or unexplained are reported to the procurator fiscal. Mygov.scot says that if a death has been referred to the procurator fiscal, registration may take longer than the usual 8 days. We have not opened an official Scottish page that describes the fiscal's investigation step by step, so ask the police or the registrar what to expect, and see registering in Scotland.
Death abroad
GOV.UK says the death must be registered with the authorities in the country where it happened. Registering in the UK as well is optional. To bring a body home you need, among other things, a certified English translation of the death certificate and removal permission from the local coroner or equivalent. Read the full GOV.UK section before arranging anything.
What you do not need to do yet
You do not have to start on money, bills or the will tonight. When you are ready, the checklist shows what comes next.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and they change. Check the official pages linked at the bottom of each page, and ask a solicitor or Citizens Advice about your own situation. Last checked November 2026.