What To Do When a Parent Dies: A UK Guide

Losing a parent is one of the hardest experiences any of us face — and it often comes with a long list of practical things landing on you at the very moment you feel least able to deal with them. As an adult child, you’re frequently the one who has to carry these tasks out, often for the first time. This guide walks you through what to do, calmly and in order, so you can take it one step at a time. There’s no need to do everything at once, and you don’t have to do any of it alone.

In the first hours and days

What happens first depends on where and how your parent died. If the death was expected — following an illness, or with palliative care in place — contact their GP or care team (or 111 out of hours). If it was sudden or unexpected, call 999. If they were in hospital or a hospice, the staff will guide you through the immediate steps.

A doctor will complete a medical certificate, which is now reviewed by an independent Medical Examiner before the death can be registered. There’s no need to rush what comes next — take a moment for yourself and your family first.

Registering the death

You’ll need to register the death within five days (eight in Scotland), usually by booking an appointment at the register office for the area where your parent died. You’ll be given the documents you need to move forward, including certified copies of the death certificate — order several, as banks, pensions, and the probate process will each want an original. Our guide on how to register a death explains exactly what to expect.

Arranging the funeral

Check whether your parent left any funeral wishes, a will, or a prepaid funeral plan before making arrangements. There’s no fixed timescale, and no single right way to do it — a funeral director can guide you through the options at your own pace. Most banks will release funds from your parent’s account to cover funeral costs before probate, on production of the death certificate and invoice.

Sorting out their affairs

In the following weeks, you’ll need to deal with your parent’s estate — their money, property, and belongings. The main steps are:

•      Find the will. It names the executor (often you or a sibling) and sets out who inherits. If there’s no will, the rules of intestacy decide who inherits.

•      Notify the right organisations. The free Tell Us Once service handles most government departments at once; banks and pensions must be told separately.

•      Secure their home if it’s now empty, and check its insurance — standard cover often lapses after about 30 days.

•      Apply for probate if it’s needed, then settle any debts before distributing the estate.

If you have brothers or sisters

Sharing the load with siblings can be a comfort — but grief affects everyone differently, and practical decisions can sometimes cause friction at an already painful time. It often helps to agree early who will take the lead on what, and to keep everyone informed. If disagreements arise over the estate, remember that the executor named in the will has the legal authority to act; where there’s no will, one qualifying relative can apply to administer the estate.

Looking after yourself

Losing a parent can shake the ground beneath you, however old you are and however much you were prepared. Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and whatever you feel is valid. Support is there whenever you need it — your GP, bereavement charities such as Cruse and Marie Curie, and the people around you. Don’t feel you have to be strong for everyone else at the expense of yourself.

You don't have to do this alone

There’s a lot to take in, and holding it all in your head while you grieve is a heavy thing to ask of yourself. First48hrs can give you a personalised, step-by-step plan for your parent’s situation — so you know exactly what to do and when. It’s free.

Get Your Free Guide here   https://www.first48hrs.co.uk/free-guide

This article was last updated in July 2026. For the latest official guidance, see GOV.UK.