Death admin checklist, week by week
Last reviewed May 2026 by Naomi Jackson
Everything that needs to happen after someone dies in the UK, in the order you'll actually do it. Tick things off at your own pace, most estates take 6–12 months.
Short answer
Death admin is everything practical, financial and legal that follows a bereavement: registering the death, arranging the funeral, using Tell Us Once, notifying banks and providers, applying for probate, settling debts and sharing out the estate. Most UK estates take six to twelve months from start to finish.
- First week
- Certify and register the death, start funeral arrangements
- First month
- Tell Us Once, notify banks, pensions, insurers and utilities
- Probate
- Adds roughly 16 weeks or more once applied for
- Typical total
- 6 to 12 months for most estates
Free, no email needed. If you'd rather, we can email it to you with your local register office details filled in, just tick a couple of things below and the option appears.
First 24 hours
Day 1First week
Days 2–7First month
Weeks 2–4Months 2–6
First half yearMonths 6–12
Second half yearOther places this links to
Need a hand?
Alenity can handle the notifications and follow-up on this list, keeping messages and replies together. We also offer guidance on funeral, probate and property questions. Probate applications, tax work, property transactions and distributing the estate remain with you or your appointed professionals.
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Related guides
What is probate?
What it means, when you need it, what it costs and how to apply yourself.
What to do when someone dies
The full UK checklist, from the first 24 hours through probate.
Tell Us Once explained
How the free government service notifies HMRC, DWP and your council in one go.
Closing accounts after death
Step-by-step for banks, utilities, pensions and subscriptions.
Bereavement financial help
Benefits and grants you may be entitled to claim.
Probate explained
When you need it, what it costs, and whether you need a solicitor.
Arranging a funeral
Every option and what it costs, and how to choose a funeral director.
Prepare your probate application
Gather the estate details, check what you need and build a pack before you apply yourself.
Funeral cost calculator
Estimate a funeral for your area and the choices you are making.
