What to do after a death

We recognise the many difficulties you face at this time. The following information provides guidance about what to do after a bereavement.

Death registration appointment

You will need to make an appointment to register a death.

Bereavement support

This NHS Bereavement support webpage lists organisations that offer help and advice to those dealing with bereavement.

Funeral arrangements

After registering the death, you can organise the funeral yourself if you wish.

Probate

You may apply for probate to manage the deceased's estate (money, property and possessions).

Corresponding with organisations

When you manage the affairs of someone who has died, you may need to correspond with many organisations.

Our Tell Us Once service will assist you with notifying many departments and services on our list so you will not need to contact them again. You will be registered for this service at your appointment by our Registrar.

Funerals, burials and cremations

Funeral directors

Most people use a funeral director. Friends, family, clergy or your doctor may be able to suggest local funeral directors with a good reputation for you to use. Remember, their charges vary considerably, and you may want to get more than one quote to compare costs.

It is best to choose a funeral director who is a member of one of the following trade associations. Both have codes of practice, and members must give you a price list when asked.

Arranging the funeral yourself

There are various steps to take after you lose a loved one. If preferred, the entire funeral can be handled by the bereaved family. This kind of funeral is sometimes called a 'personalised', 'independent' or 'family only' funeral. See what to do after someone dies on GOV.UK for more guidance.

For more information, please get in touch with your local cemetery and crematorium in Lincolnshire. They may also be able to advise you on alternative funeral arrangements, or you may also find the funeral guide helpful when planning a funeral.

Paying for a funeral

If you are on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you are arranging, you may be able to get a funeral payment. How much you get depends on your circumstances and if you qualify.

Moving a body out of England or Wales

Only a coroner can permit a body to be moved out of England or Wales. This permission should be obtained at least four days before the body is to be moved (although the coroner may be able to give permission sooner) so that any necessary enquiries may be carried out.

Body donation for medical education

If you are considering donating a body for medical education, you may wish to contact the Human Tissue Authority (for outside the London area):

Email: enquiries@hta.gov.uk
Website: Human Tissue Authority website

Scattering ashes

Many people scatter ashes in a location of special significance to the deceased and the family. There is usually no restriction, although you should seek the landowner's permission first.

You can also search online for land ownership at the Land Registry's find a property service.

Probate registry office

When a person dies, someone has to organise the deceased's estate. This person is the personal representative (also known as the executor if they are named as such in the will).

It is essential to determine if the deceased left a will and who the executor is. The will says what should happen to the deceased's money, property and possessions (the estate).

The personal representative is responsible for paying all the deceased's debts, taxes and expenses. They make the payments from the estate, not their income or savings.

Only when these duties are finished can the personal representative share the rest of the estate with the people entitled.

Please note: if a person has power of attorney for someone, this ends at the time of death.

You may have to apply for probate if you are the personal representative. The Probate service will give you a "Grant of Probate" if the deceased left a will or issue "Letters of Administration" if there is no will.

You can apply online or download the forms you need with notes and guidance on what to do by visiting the Applying for probate section on the GOV.uk website.

Alternatively, telephone the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre on 0300 123 1072.

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a free service offered by HM Government

When someone has died, many things need to be done when you probably least feel like doing them.

Tell Us Once is voluntary to use and very helpful. It enables you to report a death only once, telling central and local government services securely and confidentially without you having to inform them individually.

Many services can be notified, and these include:

the local council - to update services such as Council Housing, Housing Benefit, Council Tax, Blue Badge and remove the person from the Electoral Register
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - to deal with personal tax and to update regarding Child Benefit and Tax Credits claims (contact HMRC separately for business taxes, like VAT)
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - to update benefits information, for example, State Pension, Universal Credit
Passport Office - to cancel a British passport
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) - to cancel a driving licence and to remove registered keeper details, possibly for up to five vehicles
Public Sector or Armed Forces Pension Schemes - to update pension records.

How to access the service

The Registrar will provide you with a unique Tell Us Once reference number, enabling you to access the Tell Us Once service online via GOV.UK.

If you have been issued a Coroners Fact of Death (Interim Death Certificate), you may still be able to use the service.

Tell Us Once reference numbers are valid for 28 days. If this time period has expired and you have not used the reference number provided at the Registration appointment, use our form to request a further Tell Us Once reference number to be generated.

Request a Tell Us Once reference number

It will help you to have all the relevant information listed below about the person before using Tell Us Once:

date of birth
address of the deceased
National Insurance number
driving licence number
vehicle registration number(s)
passport number

You will also need the following:

Details of any benefits or entitlements they were receiving, for example, State Pension, Universal Credit
Details of any local council services they were receiving, for example, Adult Social Services, Blue Badge, travel pass
the name and address of their next of kin
the name and address of any surviving spouse or civil partner
the name, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money), known as their 'executor' or 'administrator.'
Details of any public sector or armed forces pension schemes they were getting or paying into

Please note:

Permission is required from the next of kin, the executor, the administrator and anyone claiming benefits or entitlements jointly with the person who died before you give their details.
Follow-up contact after using Tell Us Once is optional unless you do not receive a confirmation from the relevant department after a reasonable period, in most cases, a calendar month.
Once the various agencies informed by Tell Us Once have received notification of the death, they will make any further contact, if necessary, with the bereaved family.
Tell Us Once is not a claim to benefit. Therefore please get in touch with GOV.UK or the relevant department for advice.
Tell Us Once does not notify commercial organisations of the death and cannot arrange for post redirection.