The first steps you need to take when someone dies, from registering the death to organising a funeral
First steps when a loved one dies
There are a number of things that need to be done as soon as possible after a loved one has died.
Registering the death
Every death must be registered at the local
register office
Register office
The part of the local authority that records births, marriages and deaths in the local area.
. You may need to make an appointment and you will need to take a doctor's certificate, and possibly some other documents such as a marriage or birth certificate.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must register a death within five days; in Scotland,
within eight.
If the deceased person had any accounts with HSBC, we may be able to release some money from the accounts to pay the funeral bill
The register office will give you a copy of the
death certificate
Death certificate
A copy of the entry in the death register, given to you by the register office.
. Most organisations will ask to see this before letting you deal with the deceased person's finances, so it may be worth getting extra copies. (You will have to pay a small fee for each copy.)
The registrar will also give you a form to send to the Department for Work and Pensions. This allows them to deal with the person's pension and other benefits.
To find your local register office, look in the phone book or go online.
Finding the will
A
will
Will
A document that states what someone would like to happen to their estate when they die.
contains the last wishes of a person who has died, in particular about who they want to inherit their
estateEstate
The total value of everything owned by a person when they died – money, property and possessions – minus any debts they had.
. Sometimes wills also include special instructions about the funeral.
You will need to find the last known signed and witnessed version of the will – if there is one. If you can't locate a will at the deceased person's home, their solicitor or bank will have it.
A will usually names one or more
executorsExecutor
The person or people named in a will who have responsibility for making sure the wishes of the deceased person are carried out.
– someone responsible for making sure the wishes of the person who died are carried out.
If HSBC Trust Company (UK) Ltd is appointed as executor, then our dedicated Probate Services Team will contact you, usually within 24 hours of notification, to discuss the next steps.
What happens if there isn't a will?
If someone dies without making a
willWill
A document that states what someone would like to happen to their estate when they die.
or you are unable to locate a signed will, they are said to have died
intestateIntestate
When someone has died without having made a legal will. A person who dies without having made a legal will is known as 'intestate'.
. The law on who will inherit the
estateEstate
The total value of everything owned by a person when they died – money, property and possessions – minus any debts they had.
will vary depending on where the deceased person lived and their religion. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the laws of
intestacyIntestacy
When someone has died without having made a legal will. A person who dies without having made a legal will is known as 'intestate'.
apply and the person who will inherit the estate is the
next of kinNext of kin
The most closely related family member of a person who has died. This is normally their husband, wife, civil partner or children.
. In Scotland, the
Rights of SuccessionRights of Succession
In Scotland, if someone dies without making a will, the Rights of Succession will determine who inherits the estate.
apply. The Government website offers further guidance on this.
To find out more about what to do if there is no will, contact our Bereavement Support team on 0845 850 0088.
Arranging the funeral
Once the death has been registered, you can arrange a funeral. You may already know what sort of funeral the person wanted, or there may be instructions in the
willWill
A document that states what someone would like to happen to their estate when they die.
or other papers. If not, the
executorExecutor
The person or people named in a will who have responsibility for making sure the wishes of the deceased person are carried out.
or nearest relative normally decides what should happen.
Most people choose to use a funeral director who will help with the necessary decisions and arrangements. You can find a funeral director through the National Association of Funeral Directors, at www.nafd.org.uk
Funerals can be expensive and may need to be paid for immediately. So unless a prepaid funeral plan exists, it's worth checking how much money is available to pay for it.
If the deceased person had any accounts with HSBC, we may be able to release some money from the accounts to pay the funeral bill. Contact the Bereavement Support team on 0845 850 0088. Similarly, other banks may be willing to release money for this purpose.
