Losing someone at home can be one of the most disorientating experiences a person can go through. In the moment, it’s hard to think clearly, and most people have no idea what they’re supposed to do, who to call, or how quickly they need to act.
This guide walks through what happens step by step, from the moment of death through to registering the death and arranging the funeral. The process differs depending on whether the death was expected or unexpected, so we cover both.
When someone dies at home, the first step depends on whether the death was expected. If it was expected (such as a terminal illness), call the person's GP or the NHS 111 out-of-hours service. If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 999.
An expected death is one where the person was known to be dying, for example, from a terminal illness or as part of end-of-life care at home. In these cases, the process is straightforward and calm.
Contact the person’s registered GP surgery. If it’s outside surgery hours, call NHS 111, which will connect you to the out-of-hours GP service. There is no need to call 999 or the police if the death was expected.
If the person was receiving palliative or hospice-at-home care, the care team may have already given you a number to call. District nurses or end-of-life care teams can also certify that the death has occurred and help guide you through the next steps.
A doctor (usually the GP or out-of-hours doctor) will visit to confirm the death and note the time. This is sometimes called verification of death. It is not the same as certifying the cause of death, that comes later.
In some areas, a trained nurse can verify the death instead. If the person was under the care of a district nursing team, they may be able to do this without waiting for a doctor.
The doctor who was responsible for the person’s care will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This is the official document that records what the person died of. It can usually be issued within a day or two.
Since September 2024, all deaths in England and Wales must also be reviewed by a medical examiner who is an independent senior doctor who checks the cause of death before the MCCD is issued. This is a safeguard, not an investigation. The medical examiner may contact the next of kin to ask about the circumstances, and this is entirely routine.
You’ll need the MCCD to register the death.
There is no legal requirement to move the body quickly. Some families choose to spend time with their loved one at home before a funeral director collects them. If the weather is warm, keeping the room cool and well-ventilated will help.
When you’re ready, a funeral director can arrange collection. Most funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is the most important thing to know, and the thing most people don’t realise: there is no legal requirement to do anything immediately if the death was expected. You do not need to call anyone within a set time. You do not need to leave the room. You do not need to move the person.
If you want to sit with your loved one, hold their hand, or simply take a moment before doing anything else, you can. The practical steps can wait. There is no clock running.
When you’re ready, the steps below will guide you through what to do next.
An unexpected death is one that was not anticipated, for example, a sudden cardiac arrest, an accident, a fall, or finding someone who has died in their sleep without a known terminal illness. The process is different because the cause of death needs to be established.
If you find someone who has collapsed or is unresponsive and you’re not sure whether they’ve died, call 999 immediately. The operator will guide you through checking for signs of life and may talk you through CPR if appropriate.
If the person has clearly died, for example, they are cold to the touch, not breathing, and have no pulse, you should still call 999 to report the death. The ambulance service will attend and confirm the death.
When someone dies unexpectedly at home, the police will usually attend. This is standard procedure and does not mean anything is wrong or that anyone is under suspicion. The police attend all sudden or unexplained deaths to establish the circumstances and rule out anything suspicious.
The police will ask questions about when you last saw the person alive, their health, and whether they were taking any medication. They may also take a brief look around the home. This can feel intrusive at an incredibly difficult time, but it’s a routine part of the process.
In cases of sudden or unexplained death, the death will be referred to the coroner (or the procurator fiscal in Scotland). The coroner is an independent judicial officer whose job is to establish the cause of death. This happens automatically – you don’t need to do anything.
The coroner may decide that:
The coroner’s office will keep you informed throughout and will let you know when the body can be released to a funeral director.
If the coroner orders a post-mortem, the body will be moved to a hospital mortuary. This is handled by the ambulance service or a contracted funeral director, you don’t need to arrange it. Once the post-mortem is complete and the coroner releases the body, you can arrange the funeral.
If the death was traumatic, specialist cleaning companies can help restore the room afterwards. Your funeral director or the police can provide details of local services. These companies work with sensitivity and discretion.
| Situation | Who to Call | What Happens Next |
|---|---|---|
| Expected death (daytime) | GP surgery | Doctor visits to verify death and issue MCCD |
| Expected death (night/weekend) | NHS 111 | Out-of-hours doctor arranged to verify death |
| Unexpected or sudden death | 999 (ambulance and police) | Paramedics confirm death; coroner informed |
| After death is confirmed | Funeral director (24/7) | They collect and care for your loved one |
| Within 5 days (8 in Scotland) | Local register office | Death registered; certificates issued |
All deaths must be registered within 5 days in England and Wales (8 days in Scotland). You register the death at the local register office, this can be the office for the area where the person died or where they lived.
You’ll need to bring:
The death can be registered by a relative, someone present at the death, or the person arranging the funeral. Most people book an appointment, you can usually do this by phone or through your local council’s website.
The registrar will issue you with a certified copy of the death certificate (you’ll need at least one, they cost £11 in England and Wales, £12 in Scotland, or £8 in Northern Ireland) and a green form (the formal authority to proceed with burial or cremation). Without the green form, a funeral director cannot carry out a burial or cremation.
Beyond registering the death, there are several practical things that will need to be dealt with in the days and weeks after someone dies at home. None of these are urgent on the day itself, but it helps to know what’s ahead:
For a step-by-step look at what happens once Memoria takes over arrangements, read our guide to how direct cremation works. We are here on the phone if you would prefer to speak to someone.
The process is essentially the same. If the death was expected, call NHS 111, they’ll connect you with the out-of-hours GP service, who will arrange for a doctor or nurse to attend and verify the death. If the death was unexpected, call 999 as you would at any other time.
Funeral directors operate 24/7, so collection can be arranged at any time of day or night. The GP surgery will issue the MCCD on the next working day if the death occurred out of hours and was expected. There is no need to rush anything, the person can stay at home overnight or over the weekend until you’re ready. If the death was unexpected then it’s important to call 999 then, rather than waiting until the next working day.
Being present when someone dies at home, or finding someone who has died, can be deeply distressing, even when the death was expected. There is no right way to feel, and there is no timeline for grief.
A few things that can help in the immediate aftermath:
Losing someone at home is never easy, but knowing what to expect can take some of the uncertainty away. The most important thing to remember is that there is no rush. Take whatever time you need, and let the people around you help when you’re ready.
There is no legal time limit. The person can stay at home for as long as you need – hours or days. If the weather is warm, keeping the room cool helps. When you’re ready, a funeral director can arrange collection at any time. While there is no time limit on when the funeral director is appointed, deaths do need to be registered within 5 days (8 days in Scotland).
A funeral director of your choice will collect the person from the home. Most funeral directors operate 24 hours a day. If the death was unexpected and the coroner has ordered a post-mortem, the ambulance service or a contracted funeral director will take the person to a hospital mortuary first. Once the coroner releases the body, you can then appoint your own funeral director to collect them. Memoria Direct Cremation’s team is available 24 hours a day on 0800 007 3921.
Registering a death is free. However, you’ll need to buy at least one certified copy of the death certificate, which currently costs £11 in England and Wales, £12 in Scotland, or £8 in Northern Ireland. You’ll need certified copies for banks, insurers, and solicitors.
