What to do when a parent dies

1. Register the death

In England and Wales, wait for the medical examiner’s office to confirm that registration can go ahead, then register within 5 days of that confirmation. In Scotland, register within 8 days of the death. Northern Ireland has a separate registration process, normally within 5 days. A coroner, procurator fiscal or other investigation can change the timing, so follow the instructions you are given.

2. Order death certificates

You can order certified copies when you register. Some banks, pension providers and insurers still ask to see one, while others accept an upload or verify the death another way. Check what the organisations involved require before ordering a large number.

3. Find the will and the executor

Check the home, their solicitor or their bank for a will. It names the executor — often a family member — who is responsible for carrying out their wishes. If there’s no will, the estate is shared under the rules of intestacy.

4. Notify and settle

Use Tell Us Once for government departments if your parent lived in England, Scotland or Wales; Northern Ireland uses separate services. Then contact banks, pensions and utilities. If they owned a home or had significant savings, court authority may be needed before assets can be settled.