Guides What to do

Someone has just died

What is next of kin?

Next of kin is the term used to describe your closest living relative, such as your spouse or civil partner. The UK does not have laws around who you can name as your next of kin, but there are specific rules for who takes responsibility when someone dies.

Compassionate leave: what is it and how much do I get?

We all have to deal with loss at some time in our lives. When this happens, we may need to take time away from work to grieve, organise a funeral and sort out the estate. Taking this time from work is known as compassionate leave.

How to find a will

You can usually find someone’s will with other important financial documents, such as bank statements and pension information. If you can’t find it in their house, you could search online to see if the will is recorded on the National Will Register.

What happens to pets when their owners die?

Writing a will lets you do more than appoint guardians for your children, you can also choose who looks after your pets if something happens to you. Here's everything you need to know to make sure your pets are provided for when you’re gone.

How to get a death certificate in the UK

In order to get a death certificate, you need to register the death in a local register office. It’s free to register the death, but you’ll need to pay £11 for each copy of the death certificate.

How to delay a funeral in the UK

You can delay someone’s funeral by arranging an unattended cremation immediately after their death. Then, once their ashes have been returned to you, you’re free to have the memorial service at a time that’s right for you and your family.

How to register a death in the UK

You can register a death by visiting your local register office. This usually needs to be done within five days of the death in England and Wales. It’s free to register a death, but there’s a fee of £11 for each copy of the death certificate.

How to find a probate solicitor in the UK

You can find a probate solicitor near you by searching online or in telephone directories. Or, if you would prefer to sort out probate over the phone, you could use our nationwide probate service.

When a body is cremated, what happens to the coffin?

Under UK law, something must be in place to cover the body of a person who’s died. This is usually a coffin. Crematorium staff can’t move a body out of a coffin once it’s sealed, so the coffin enters the cremation chamber along with the body.

GuidesWhat to do