A practical, compassionate guide to the immediate steps that cannot wait.
Losing someone is one of the most disorienting experiences a person can go through. In the days that follow, you may be asked to make decisions and take actions that feel overwhelming — often while still in shock. This guide sets out the practical steps that need to happen in the first seven days, so you can focus on what matters most.
In England and Wales, a death must be registered within five days at the local register office. You will need a medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor or hospital. The registrar will issue a Death Certificate — you should order several certified copies at this stage (typically 5–10), as banks, insurers, and government departments each require an original. There is a small fee per copy, but it is far cheaper than ordering them individually later.
If the deceased left a will, it is essential to find it as early as possible. Common locations include a home safe, a solicitor's office, or the Probate Registry (if it was deposited there). The will names the executor — the person legally responsible for administering the estate. If you are named as executor, your responsibilities begin from the moment of death, even before probate is granted. If no will can be found, the estate is treated as intestate and distributed according to the rules of intestacy.
If the deceased lived alone, their property should be secured promptly. Notify their home insurer of the death — many policies require this within a set number of days or cover may lapse. Collect any post, cancel milk or newspaper deliveries, and ensure the property is locked. If there are pets, arrange care immediately.
Some organisations need to be told as a matter of urgency. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) must be notified to stop any state pension or benefit payments — overpayments will need to be repaid. The deceased's employer (if applicable) should also be informed. For everything else — banks, utilities, subscriptions — there is no legal deadline in the first week, and it is perfectly acceptable to wait until you have more capacity.
Unless there is a coroner's inquest, the funeral can be arranged once the death is registered. The executor has legal authority to make funeral arrangements, though in practice this is usually a family decision. Keep all receipts — funeral costs are a legitimate expense of the estate and can be reclaimed before the estate is distributed.
There is no requirement to do everything at once. The five-day registration deadline is the only truly urgent legal obligation in the first week. Everything else can be approached methodically over the weeks and months that follow. Kinvoy's task checklist is designed to help you work through responsibilities at a manageable pace, with clear guidance on what is time-sensitive and what can wait.