Guides
Clear answers, in plain English
Short guides to the practical and financial side of a death in the UK. General information, not legal or financial advice — always check the official sources we link to.
- What to do when someone dies
Very little has to happen in the first 24 hours. This is the usual order of things in England and Wales, with links to the official guidance.
- Registering a death
Registering is a short appointment, but it helps to arrive with the right documents and to know how many certificate copies to order.
- Using Tell Us Once
The registrar will normally give you a Tell Us Once reference. It saves a great deal of repeated phone calls.
- Probate explained
Probate is the legal right to deal with someone's estate. Not every estate needs it, and many families apply themselves.
- What a UK funeral costs
A funeral bill is made up of two very different things: the funeral director's own charges, and third-party fees they pay on your behalf.
- Cremation costs
Cremation is the most common choice in the UK. Costs depend heavily on whether the service is attended, and on the crematorium's own fee.
- Direct cremation explained
Direct cremation is the simplest and usually the cheapest option. It suits some families very well and not others.
- Burial costs
Burial is usually the more expensive route, mainly because of cemetery fees rather than the funeral director's charges.