What to do when someone close to you dies
Although death is a natural part of life, the death of someone close to you can be a difficult, confusing and a life-changing experience.
This page is designed to guide you through the first few days and aim to give you the information you need about practical arrangements.
In the first few days
In the first few days you will need to get a medical certificate and register the death.
Speak to the hospital bereavement team
Please telephone the hospital bereavement office where your loved one died. Unfortunately, they are not able to meet face to face at this time but you will still be able to talk through the steps of what happens next with people who understand what you are going through.
For bereavement numbers for Barking, Havering and Redbridge (BHR) University Hospitals, please see the BHR hospitals bereavement's services page.
Get a medical certificate
You will get a medical certificate immediately unless there is a coroner's inquest. If there is, the certificate will be issued after this.
You will be given a medical certificate from the hospital if your loved one died in a hospital but if they died at home, you will need to speak to their GP.
Register the death
What to do after registering the death
Arranging a funeral
After you have registered a death, you will likely arrange a funeral. There are things that will be different than usual during this pandemic.
Dealing with yours and your loved one's affairs
There will be some things you will need to sort out after a loved one has passed away.
More information
- You can download the government leaflet Information for the bereaved
- The Bereavement Advice Centre
