Guide
What to do when your grandparent dies
When a grandparent dies, parents and grandchildren often share the practical work. Here’s a clear order to follow together.
At a glance
- Follow the registration instructions for the UK nation where the death happened.
- Begin funeral arrangements and check for a will, prepaid plan or written wishes.
- Use Tell Us Once within 28 days if the person lived in England, Scotland or Wales; Northern Ireland uses separate services.
- Confirm who is authorised to deal with the estate before closing or transferring assets.
Who takes the lead
Usually it’s your grandparent’s own children (your parents) who are named as executors and lead the arrangements. As a grandchild you might be helping, or — if your parent has also died — you could be more directly involved. The will sets out who is responsible.
Grandparents are more likely to have had a prepaid funeral plan and a long-standing will — check their paperwork and their solicitor early.
The first steps that apply to everyone
Whatever your situation, registration comes first. In England and Wales, wait for the medical examiner’s office to confirm you can register, then do so within 5 days. In Scotland, register within 8 days of the death. Northern Ireland has a separate process, normally within 5 days. Order the certified copies you expect to need, then begin funeral arrangements and check for any prepaid plan or written wishes your grandparent left.
Telling people and organisations
If the person lived in England, Scotland or Wales, use Tell Us Once within 28 days of receiving the reference number. It reports the death to HMRC, DWP, the passport office, DVLA and the local council. It is not available when the person lived in Northern Ireland. Banks, private pensions, insurers and household services must still be contacted directly.
Where to go
The official UK services and trusted support for this — so you can act, not just read.
- Register a deathGOV.UK Find and book your local register office, and see what to bring.
- Applying for probateGOV.UK Probate guidance for England and Wales, with links to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Search for a willNational Will Register Search whether the person registered a will.
- What to do when someone dies: step by stepGOV.UK The official end-to-end checklist.
- Dealing with an estate in ScotlandScottish Courts Official guidance on confirmation and administering a Scottish estate.
- Probate in Northern Irelandnidirect Official Northern Ireland probate guidance.
Common questions
- Can I deal with my grandparent’s estate?
- If you’re named as executor, yes. Otherwise it’s usually their children. If your own parent (their child) has died, you may step into that line under the intestacy rules.
- Is probate usually needed?
- Often, if your grandparent owned a home or had savings above a bank’s threshold. If everything passed to a surviving spouse, it may not be.
General information to help you find your way — not legal or financial advice. Last reviewed June 2026.