Bereavement is a deeply personal experience, and everyone processes it differently. Losing someone close to you—whether a partner, family member, or friend—can be emotionally overwhelming. Despite this profound loss, there are often legal and practical matters that need to be addressed, which can feel overwhelming in such a difficult time.

This page is here to help you navigate the essential tasks and guide you through the process of managing the necessary paperwork and getting affairs in order, offering support as you work through these steps during a challenging period.

Step 1: Register the death  -  Register the death within 5 days

             Check what to do  -    

• ·       the death has been reported to a coroner
• ·         the death happened outside the UK
• ·         you're registering a stillbirth
• ·         someone is missing and you think they're dead

Step 2 : Tell the government about the death using the Gov website                         

• Use the Tell Us Once service to tell government
• If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell government yourself

Step 3 : Arrange the funeral 

• Arrange the funeral
• Get help paying for a funeral
• Get help paying for a child's funeral    

Step 4 : Check if you can get bereavement benefits - you might be eligible for financial support

• ·         Bereavement Support Payment if your partner has died
• ·         Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave if your child has died or you’ve had a stillbirth
• Guardian's Allowance if you're bringing up a child whose parents have died

Step 5 : Deal with your own benefits, pension and taxes

• Manage your tax, pensions and benefits if your partner has died
• Check how benefits are affected if a child dies

Step 6 : Find bereavement support services

• Find bereavement help and support
• Find bereavement services from your local council

 Step 7 : Check if you need to apply to stay in the UK - if you have the right to live in the UK depends on your relationship with someone who died you might need to apply for a new visa check the rules if  :  

• ·         you're in the UK as the partner of a British Citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain

  ·         your partner who died served as a member of HM Forces

Contact UKVI to check the rules for other visas 

Step 8 : Value the estate and check if you need to pay an Inheritance Tax - find out if there's an Inheritance Tax to pay, you need to estimate the value of the property, money and possessions of the person who died.

• Estimate the value of the estate to find out if you need to pay Inheritance Tax
• Find out how to report the value of the estate
• Pay Inheritance Tax if it’s due

Step 9 : Apply for probate -  You might need to apply for probate before you can deal with the property, money and possessions (the ‘estate’) of the deceased person.

• Check if you need to apply for probate
• Apply for probate

Step 10 : Deal with the estate - Pay any debts or taxes owed by the person who's died. You can then distribute the estate as set out in the will or the law.

• Deal with the estate
• Update property records

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Most people experience grief after losing someone or something significant in their lives. Grief can be a complex and overwhelming emotion, and if it's affecting your ability to cope, there are things you can try to help manage these feelings. Additionally, support is available for those struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression during times of loss.

Symptoms of Bereavement, Grief, and Loss

The effects of bereavement, grief, and loss vary from person to person, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to feel. Besides the loss of a loved one, other forms of loss—such as the end of a relationship, job, or home—can trigger similar feelings. Some common symptoms include:

• Shock and numbness – often the initial reaction to loss, people may describe feeling like they are "in a daze."
• Overwhelming sadness – characterized by frequent crying or a deep sense of sorrow.
• Tiredness or exhaustion – grief can drain your energy and leave you feeling fatigued.
• Anger – this could be directed at the person you lost, the cause of the loss, or even unrelated situations.
• Guilt – feelings of guilt may arise over things you did or didn’t say, actions taken, or not being able to prevent a loved one’s death.

These feelings may not be constant, and strong emotions can come on suddenly and unexpectedly. It can sometimes be difficult to recognise that grief or loss is the root cause of behavioural or emotional changes.

If you're struggling with these emotions, it's important to seek help and support when needed.