Posted: Thursday 14th May, 2026
What to do when somebody dies
What should you do first?
What you need to do first will depend on where the person has died. In most cases, the first step is to contact the appropriate medical professional so the death can be verified.
If the person has died at home and the death was expected, you should contact their GP, district nurse, or the out-of-hours medical service. They will guide you on what happens next.
If the death was unexpected, you should call 999. The emergency services will attend and advise you on the next steps.
If the person has died in hospital, the hospital bereavement team or ward staff will usually guide you through the immediate process.
If the person has died in a care home or nursing home, the staff will usually contact the relevant medical professional and support you with the first steps.
Contacting a Funeral Director
Once the death has been verified, you can contact a funeral director.
You do not need to wait until the death has been registered before speaking to us. We can explain what needs to happen, answer your questions and, when the time is right, bring your loved one into our care.
At Crabtree Family Funeral Services, we are available 24 hours a day. If you are unsure what to do, you can call us and we will gently guide you through the next step.
Registering the death
In most cases, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales.
The death is usually registered at the register office in the area where the person died. You will normally need the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death before the registration can take place.
Once the death has been registered, the registrar will provide the documents needed for the funeral arrangements to continue.
You may also be given information about the Tell Us Once service, which helps notify certain government departments and public services.
Choosing the type of funeral
You do not need to make every decision immediately.
Some families already know whether their loved one wanted a burial or cremation. Others need time to think about what feels right. A funeral can be traditional, simple, religious, non-religious, attended, unattended, or highly personal.
There is no single “right” type of funeral. What matters most is choosing something that feels appropriate for the person being remembered and supportive for those saying goodbye.
Things you may need to think about
When you feel ready, your funeral director will help you work through the arrangements step by step.
You do not need to know all of this before getting in touch. Part of our role is helping you understand the options and make decisions at a pace that feels manageable.
This may include:
- Whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation
- Where the service will take place
- Whether the service will be religious, non-religious or celebrant-led
- Music, readings, poems or tributes
- Flowers, stationery and personal touches
- Transport and procession arrangements
- What will happen with ashes, memorials or keepsakes afterwards
If the death is referred to the coroner
Sometimes a death is referred to the coroner. This can happen if the death was sudden, unexpected, accidental, or if the cause of death is unclear.
This does not always mean there is anything suspicious. It simply means the coroner needs to understand more about the circumstances before certain paperwork can be issued.
If the coroner is involved, the funeral may not be able to go ahead until they have completed their initial enquiries. We can still speak with you, explain what is happening and begin discussing arrangements where possible.
How we can help
When someone dies, families often feel they should already know what to do. In reality, most people only arrange a funeral a few times in their life, and it is completely normal to feel unsure.
At Crabtree Family Funeral Services, we will guide you through each step with care and clarity. From bringing your loved one into our care to arranging the service, completing paperwork and helping with personal touches, we are here to make things feel a little less overwhelming.
Every life has a story to tell, and we are here to help you honour that story in a way that feels right for your family.
Need guidance now?
If someone has died and you are not sure what to do next, please call us. We are available 24 hours a day and will guide you gently through the first steps
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on where and how the person has died. If the death was expected at home, contact their GP, district nurse or out-of-hours service. If the death was unexpected, call 999. If they died in hospital or a care home, staff will usually guide you.
Yes. You can contact a funeral director as soon as you feel ready. We can offer advice, explain the next steps and arrange to bring your loved one into our care when appropriate.
In most cases, a death should be registered within five days in England and Wales. The registrar will explain the documents you receive and what happens next.
No. You do not need to make every decision immediately. We can talk through burial, cremation, direct cremation, traditional services and personal touches when you feel ready.
If the coroner is involved, they may need to carry out enquiries before the funeral can take place. We can still support you during this time and explain what can and cannot happen while you wait.