Bereavement Checklist: Tell Us Once + Probate

After a death there is a long list of practical and legal tasks arriving at the worst possible moment, and very little of it is urgent in the way it feels. Only registering the death has a firm early deadline. Everything else can be worked through in order, and the Tell Us Once service handles a large part of the government notifications in a single conversation. This checklist organises the tasks by timing — the first week, the first month, and then through probate.

What is actually urgent, and what is not

Registering the death is the one task with a firm early deadline in most circumstances, and it should be done at the register office for the area where the death occurred. Order several certified copies while you are there — institutions want to see originals, photocopies are usually refused, and buying more later costs more per copy. Everything else can follow at a sensible pace.

  • First week: register the death, use Tell Us Once, and let the funeral director know if a will names any funeral wishes.
  • First month: notify banks, pension providers, insurers and utilities, redirect post, and check whether bereavement benefits apply.
  • Then: value the estate, deal with inheritance tax if it arises, and apply for a grant if one is needed.

Tell Us Once notifies most government departments and the local council in one go, using a reference given to you when you register. It does not cover banks, private pensions, insurers or utilities, so those still need doing individually.

Do not distribute anything from the estate early, however clear the will seems. Personal representatives are personally liable for the administration, including for tax and for creditors who come forward later.

Within 5 days of death

0 of 6 complete

Use the Tell Us Once service

0 of 6 complete

Financial accounts (week 2-4)

0 of 8 complete

Probate / Letters of Administration

0 of 10 complete

Within 6-12 months

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Helpful organisations

Citizens Advice

Charity

Provides free, confidential, and independent advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, housing, debt, and employment.

Visit website0800 144 8848

Frequently asked questions

What is Tell Us Once and how do I use it?
It is a free service that notifies most government departments and the local council of a death in a single contact — covering benefits, State Pension, HMRC, DVLA, passport, council tax, blue badges and library records among others. The registrar gives you a unique reference when you register the death, which you use online or by phone, usually within a set window. It does not cover banks, private pensions, insurers or utility companies, so keep a separate list for those.
Can we access the money to pay for the funeral?
Often yes. Many banks will release funds directly to a funeral director from the deceased's account on production of the invoice and death certificate, even before a grant is issued. Some funeral plans and life policies pay out quickly too. If the estate genuinely cannot cover it and the person arranging the funeral receives certain benefits, a Funeral Expenses Payment may be available. Do not commit to an expensive funeral before you know what the estate holds.
What if there is no will and we do not know where to start?
The intestacy rules decide both who inherits and who may apply to administer the estate, in a set order of priority — usually the closest surviving relative. Start by searching thoroughly for a will, including with local solicitors and the national will register, because assuming there is none when one exists causes serious problems later. Then establish who is entitled to apply. Take advice if the family is complicated or if relatives are hard to trace.
What financial help is available after a bereavement?
Bereavement Support Payment may be available to a surviving spouse or civil partner below State Pension age, as a lump sum plus monthly payments, and it is not means-tested. Time limits apply for the full amount, so claim promptly. Widowed parents may be entitled to more. Also check whether existing benefits need to be reassessed, since household income and circumstances change. A local advice service can run a full check quickly.

Related guides

Grant of Probate: The Probate Process Explained

A Grant of Probate is the legal document issued by the Probate Registry that confirms the executor's authority to deal with the deceased person's estate. Most financial institutions and land registries require a Grant of Probate before releasing assets. This guide explains when you need probate, how to apply, what it costs, and what happens during estate administration.

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Intestacy Rules: Who Inherits If There Is No Will

When someone dies without a valid will — or with a will that does not dispose of all their assets — the intestacy rules set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (as amended) determine who inherits and in what proportions. Understanding these rules is important for anyone making estate planning decisions, and for families dealing with the death of a loved one who left no will.

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Making a Will

A will is the only way to ensure your assets go to the people you choose after your death. Without a valid will, the intestacy rules determine who inherits — and these may produce very different results from your wishes, particularly if you are unmarried, have stepchildren, or have a complex family situation. Making a will is one of the most important legal steps you can take.

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Inheritance Tax Basics

Inheritance tax (IHT) is charged at 40% on the value of an estate above the nil-rate band threshold. With careful planning — using available exemptions, reliefs, and lifetime gifting — many families can significantly reduce or eliminate their IHT liability. This guide explains the key rules and the main planning opportunities available.

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Statutory Legacy: When Someone Dies Without a Will

Around 60% of UK adults die without a valid will. The Administration of Estates Act 1925 prescribes how those estates are distributed — the 'intestacy rules'. Surviving spouses take the first £322,000 (the 'statutory legacy', raised from £270,000 in July 2023) plus half the remainder. The rules can produce results that the deceased would not have wanted; this guide explains the framework and how to challenge it via the Inheritance Act 1975.

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Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a benefit for people who lose a spouse or civil partner. It provides a lump sum followed by monthly payments to help you manage the immediate financial impact of bereavement. It replaced Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent's Allowance for deaths occurring on or after 6 April 2017.

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Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check official sources and seek qualified help where needed.