Step-by-step guide for handling a death at home, including who to call, what to expect, and immediate next steps.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's First Steps guide cluster. Estimated reading time: 12 min.
This first-steps guide explains what to do when someone dies at home in England and Wales, including who to contact first, what happens before registration, and how the next practical tasks fit together.
It helps families move from the immediate steps after the death to registration, Tell Us Once, banks, property security, probate checks and EstateManager task tracking.
Also searched as: dies at home.
Call 999 and follow the handler's instructions. The handler decides the appropriate emergency response from the information you give. If a recognised end-of-life plan applies, show or describe it to the attending professionals.
If the death was expected, follow the person's end-of-life care plan and call the palliative care contact, out-of-hours service or NHS 111 for advice. Do not assume it is safe to wait if the plan is unclear. If the death was unexpected, or you are unsure whether the person has died, call 999 immediately.
After an expected death has been verified, tell the attending professional and funeral director if you want time with the person at home. They can advise what is safe and practical in the circumstances. If the death is unexpected or referred to a coroner, do not move the person or arrange collection until the emergency services or coroner tell you what happens next.
Police may attend an unexpected home death so the circumstances can be recorded and the coroner can be informed where required. Attendance does not by itself mean wrongdoing is suspected. Follow the officers' instructions and ask who will update the family.
If the doctor cannot certify the cause of death, the death may be referred to the coroner. The coroner will decide whether more information, a post-mortem or an inquest is needed. This adds time but is not unusual.
For an expected death, ask the nurse, GP or funeral director before moving, washing or dressing the person, especially if medical equipment is still in place. For an unexpected death or any coroner referral, leave the person and surrounding area undisturbed until the attending authorities say otherwise.
Keep medicines secure and away from children or visitors. Ask the district nurse, palliative care team or a community pharmacy how to return them; call the pharmacy before taking controlled drugs. Do not put medicines in household waste or flush them, and do not disconnect or return clinical equipment yourself.