When someone dies, it’s a really tough time. There’s so much to sort out while you’re trying to cope with your own feelings. You need to register the death, plan the funeral, tell loads of people and organisations, deal with money matters, and sort out their belongings. Having a clear idea of what to do can be a real help when everything feels overwhelming.
In 2021, over 660,000 families across the UK went through this experience. With life expectancy around 79 for men and 83 for women, most of us will face this at some point in our lives. It helps to know what to expect.
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What To Do If Someone Dies At Home?
If someone dies at home, the first thing is to keep calm. For expected deaths, like when someone’s been ill for a while, ring their GP. For unexpected deaths, call 999. Don’t move the body until a doctor or paramedic has confirmed the death.
Sarah from Chichester went through this when her dad passed away at home. “I was in bits,” she told us, “but I remembered to call Dad’s doctor first. He came round within the hour, confirmed everything, and helped me understand what would happen next.” Sarah then contacted a funeral director who guided her through the next steps.
If it happens at night, you’ll follow the same steps, but you might need to ring emergency services instead of the GP. When James’s elderly uncle died at home at 2 am, he called 111 who sent paramedics to confirm the death and explain what he needed to do next.
What Happens When Someone Dies In Hospital?
Deaths in hospital follow a slightly different path. The medical staff handle the paperwork and initial steps. They’ll give you a medical certificate showing the cause of death, which you’ll need for registration. You’ll still need to register the death and sort out the funeral, but the hospital team will support you with the first bits.
Emma’s grandmother passed away in hospital in Brighton last year. “The nurses were so kind,” Emma shared. “They let us sit with Gran for a while, then explained exactly what would happen next. They gave us all the paperwork we needed and even recommended some local funeral directors.”
Who To Tell When Someone Dies?
There’s quite a list of people and organisations to let know when someone dies:
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Register the death at your local registry office within 5 days (8 days in Scotland)
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Use the Tell Us Once service to inform government departments
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Contact banks to freeze accounts
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Let utility companies know
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Tell insurance providers and pension companies
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Update property records
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Cancel subscriptions and memberships
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Return passports and driving licences
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Let employers or business partners know
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Tell landlords or mortgage providers
What Does An Executor Do?
Being named as an executor in someone’s will means you’ve got some important jobs to do. You need to find the will, apply for probate, work out what the estate is worth, pay any debts and taxes, give out what’s left according to the will, and keep records of everything.
John from Uxbridge found this quite stressful when his mum died leaving him her house. “There were all these debts I didn’t know about, and I was worried we might lose the house before I could sort it all out,” he told us. John got in touch with Property Saviour who bought the house quickly, helping him clear the debts and sort out the estate without months of worry.
Dealing With Property After Someone Dies
Working out what to do with someone’s home after they die can be one of the hardest parts. You’ve got a few options, and the table below gives you a quick overview:
| Option | Good Points | Not So Good | How Long It Takes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal sale | Full market value | Viewings, uncertainty | 2-6 months |
| Renting | Regular income | Landlord responsibilities | Ongoing |
| Family transfer | Keeps it in the family | Possible tax issues | 3-6 months |
| Property Saviour | Fast, guaranteed, no chain | Lower price | 1-4 weeks |
What To Do When Someone Dies: The First Month
Getting through the first month after someone dies means tackling several important tasks:
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Get multiple copies of the death certificate
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Let family and close friends know
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Plan the funeral
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Find the will and contact the executor
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Start probate if needed
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Make sure the property is secure
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Sort out mail forwarding
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Contact banks and financial companies
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Tell government departments
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Start listing assets and belongings
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A lady from Marlow told us about losing her husband suddenly: “Having this list really helped me focus when my mind was all over the place. I just did one thing at a time and slowly got through it all.”
Sorting Through Belongings
Going through someone’s things after they’ve died can be really emotional. Take your time if you can. It’s often the small, personal items that mean the most ā photos, letters, or things that remind you of special moments together.
“I found Dad’s old gardening journal,” Sarah from Brixton told us. “It wasn’t worth anything money-wise, but reading his notes about plants he’d grown for Mum’s birthday or vegetables he was especially proud of ā that was priceless to me.”
If you need more time with belongings but want to move forward with selling the property, Property Saviour can help. We can buy the property even with possessions still inside, giving you breathing space to sort through things without the pressure of looming house viewings.
What To Do When Someone Dies At Home At Night?
If someone dies at home at night, the process is basically the same as during the day, but you’ll likely need to use emergency services rather than the GP.
When Tom’s father died at home in Dartford late one evening, he wasn’t sure who to call. “It was about 11 pm, and I knew Dad’s GP wouldn’t be available,” he explained. “I called 111 who sent paramedics. They were brilliant ā so respectful and helpful. They confirmed Dad had died and explained I didn’t need to do anything else that night except call a funeral director in the morning.”
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How To Help Someone Who’s Lost A Loved One
If your friend or family member has lost someone, practical help often means more than words. Offer to make phone calls, bring over some home-cooked meals, look after children or pets, go along to appointments for moral support, or just sit and listen without trying to fix things.
Emma found this when her mum died: “My neighbour just showed up with dinners for three days and took my kids to school. She didn’t make a fuss or expect anything. That practical help meant everything when I couldn’t think straight.”
What Do Doctors Do After Someone Dies?
When someone dies, doctors confirm the death and fill in the medical certificate showing the cause of death. If they’re not sure why the person died or if it was sudden or unexpected, they might ask the coroner to investigate. This can sometimes delay funeral arrangements, but it’s an important step.
When James’s sister died unexpectedly in Rochester, her death was referred to the coroner. “It did delay the funeral by about two weeks,” James said, “but actually, having that extra time helped us come to terms with what had happened, as it was such a shock.”
Getting Help With Property After A Death
The death of a property owner creates unique challenges, particularly when properties need repairs, have sitting tenants, carry mortgage debt, or are subject to disputes among beneficiaries. Get in touch with Property Saviour if you need certainty and speed in resolving property matters after bereavement. Our compassionate team understands that selling a property after a death isn’t merely a transaction but part of the grieving and closure process.
As a property buying company that offers a “we buy any property” service with guaranteed sales, we provide executors and beneficiaries with certainty during uncertain times.
Dealing with property matters while grieving can feel impossible. At Property Saviour, we understand this isn’t just about bricks and mortar ā it’s about helping you through one of life’s hardest moments with kindness and understanding.
A widow from Startford recently told us: “After my husband died, I couldn’t face staying in our family home, but the thought of viewings and negotiations was too much. Property Saviour bought my house quickly and simply, which let me focus on looking after myself and my children.”
If you’re thinking of selling a property after bereavement, get in touch with Property Saviour. We offer a guaranteed sale with no viewings, no chains, and no stress ā giving you certainty and speed when you need it most. We understand that selling a property after someone dies isn’t just a transaction; it’s part of saying goodbye and moving forward. Wherever you’re in the UK, we’re here to help with empathy and understanding.
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