When someone dies, one step at a time.

If the death was unexpected, call 999. Otherwise, the first steps often include getting the medical certificate of cause of death, registering the death, and arranging the funeral. BereaveGuide can help you understand what comes next.

The deadline depends on where you are. In England and Wales, GOV.UK says to register within 5 days of the medical examiner confirming you can register. In Scotland, registration should happen within 8 days of the death where possible. Northern Ireland has a separate process, so check the official guidance for your nation.

Guidance and resources: England and Wales: register a death · Scotland: register a death · Northern Ireland: register a death

No. BereaveGuide asks a few questions about your situation and gives you a personalised, prioritised checklist. You do not need legal knowledge.

BereaveGuide is a free online tool that helps you through the practical steps after someone dies. It creates a personalised checklist of tasks based on your situation, such as registering the death, notifying organisations, and handling probate.

Yes. BereaveGuide is free to use, with no subscription or credit card required.

Yes. When you set up your case, you can choose the planning-ahead option. This tailors the guidance to focus on things you can do now, such as checking that a Will is in place, setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney, discussing funeral wishes, and preparing for what comes next.

Not at all. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can come back later and continue at your own pace.

Tasks are organised by priority and category. Time-sensitive steps are highlighted, and your guide takes your country and circumstances into account so the deadlines and processes are relevant to you.

Yes. You can tick off tasks as you complete them, either from the task list or from within a task's detail page. Progress is shared with the members of your case.

You can skip tasks that aren't relevant. The guide covers many situations, but not every task will apply to everyone. Focus on the steps that matter to you.

Tell Us Once lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go after it has been registered. The registrar can explain how to use it and give you a reference number; you must use that number within 28 days. Tell Us Once is not available for people who lived in Northern Ireland, where a separate process applies.

Guidance and resources: GOV.UK: Tell Us Once · Northern Ireland: who to tell

Yes. From the Team page, you can invite others to join your case. They can see the task list, mark tasks complete, add documents, and contribute to the case.

No. Only people you explicitly invite to a case can see its information. Each case is private to its members.

Common documents include the death certificate, the Will, bank statements, insurance policies, property deeds, and letters from organisations. Keeping them together can make them easier to find when you need them.

Uploaded documents are stored in secure cloud storage and can only be accessed by members of your case. See the Security page for more details.

The Evidence Pack is a structured checklist of information and documents to gather during the bereavement process. You can add notes to track what you've found and where.

Probate is formal authority to deal with someone’s estate. Not every estate needs a grant, and whether one is needed depends on the assets and the organisations holding them. In Scotland, the comparable process is called confirmation. Many straightforward estates can be handled without a solicitor, but professional advice may help with complex estates or a contested Will. Our Bereavement Lawyers page can help you find a solicitor.

Guidance and resources: GOV.UK: applying for probate · Scotland: dealing with an estate · Northern Ireland: probate · Find a bereavement solicitor

You may be able to get help with funeral costs if you meet the eligibility rules. The scheme depends on where you live: Funeral Expenses Payment is available in England and Wales, Northern Ireland has its own Funeral Expenses Payment, and Scotland has Funeral Support Payment. These payments may not cover the full cost, so check the official rules for your nation.

Guidance and resources: England and Wales: Funeral Expenses Payment · Scotland: Funeral Support Payment · Northern Ireland: Funeral Expenses Payment

You may be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment after a partner dies. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, and when you claim can affect the amount. Rules and application routes differ in Northern Ireland, so check the official guidance for your nation as soon as you can.

Guidance and resources: GOV.UK: Bereavement Support Payment eligibility · Northern Ireland: Bereavement Support Payment

Our Bereavement Lawyers page includes information about contested Wills, including who can contest, possible grounds, court processes, likely costs, and practical considerations.

Yes. BereaveGuide covers England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Guidance, deadlines, forms, and terminology are tailored to the nation you select; for example, Scotland uses confirmation rather than probate.

No. BereaveGuide provides practical administrative guidance, not legal, tax, or financial advice. For advice about your specific circumstances, consult a qualified professional.

The AI companion can answer questions about bereavement processes, explain legal terms in plain English, and offer guidance related to your tasks. It is available at any time.

No. The AI provides general guidance and information, but it is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. For complex situations, consult a qualified professional.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123, day or night. BereaveGuide is practical guidance and is not a crisis service.

Yes. You can create multiple cases, each with its own tasks, documents, and team members. You can switch between cases using the case selector.

You can delete your account from the account menu. This permanently removes your personal data and any cases where you are the only member. Shared cases can continue for their other members. This action cannot be undone.

BereaveGuide uses secure authentication and access controls to protect your information. Sensitive information is encrypted at rest. Visit the Security page for more details.