When someone dies, the practical list arrives long before anyone feels ready. If you are the executor, it can feel like you are supposed to know a process nobody ever taught you. You do not have to hold it all in your head. Here is what the first two weeks actually involve, in roughly the order it needs doing.
Days one to five: register the death
- Get the medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor or hospital, which lets you register.
- Register the death at the register office, usually within five days in England and Wales. You will need it sooner in some cases.
- Order several certified copies of the death certificate while you are there. You will need more than you expect, and copies are cheaper bought together than requested later.
- Use Tell Us Once if the registrar offers it, to notify government departments in one step. See our Tell Us Once guide.
At the same time, find the will if you can, as it confirms whether you are the named executor and who the beneficiaries are.
The first week: tell the people who need to know
- Notify the banks and building societies. You can tell several at once through the free Death Notification Service; our guide to telling banks explains it.
- Contact any pension providers and insurers.
- Secure the property if it is now empty, and tell the home insurer, as empty homes can affect cover.
- Arrange the funeral. If money is tight, banks will often pay the funeral director directly from the frozen account on production of the invoice.
The second week: get organised for probate
- Start gathering paperwork: account statements, property details, pension and investment paperwork and any debts. Our paperwork guide lists what to collect.
- Begin to build a picture of what the estate is worth, which decides whether you need probate and whether there is inheritance tax to pay.
- Keep a simple record of everything you do and every organisation you contact. It saves duplicated effort and protects you as executor.
What you can and cannot do before probate
You can register the death, arrange the funeral, notify organisations and gather information. You generally cannot sell property, close most accounts or distribute anything to beneficiaries until you have the grant of probate, which is the document confirming your authority. Acting too early is one of the most common mistakes, so gather first and distribute last.
Different in Scotland and Northern Ireland
The process above describes England and Wales. In Scotland the equivalent of probate is called confirmation, and the steps and timescales differ. Northern Ireland has its own probate process and does not use Tell Us Once. If the death was registered in Scotland or Northern Ireland, check the local process rather than assuming the England and Wales steps apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to do all this myself?
No. Executors can instruct a solicitor to handle probate and estate administration, paid for by the estate. You can also do the straightforward parts yourself and take advice on the rest.
How soon do I need to register the death?
Usually within five days in England and Wales, and eight days in Scotland, unless it has been referred to a coroner or procurator fiscal. Register as soon as you have the medical certificate.
Can I access the money to pay for the funeral?
Usually yes. Most banks will pay the funeral director directly from the person’s frozen account when you send the invoice, even before probate.
Sources
- GOV.UK: What to do when someone dies, and Applying for probate
- nidirect and mygov.scot for Northern Ireland and Scotland
Reviewed by an SRA-regulated solicitor (name to be assigned). Last reviewed: [set on publish]. This is general information, not legal advice and does not replace probate administration by a qualified professional.
