Guides &amp; Resources

What to do when someone dies in the UK: a step-by-step guide

This guide explains what to do in the first days, weeks and months after a death in the UK. It is written for the person taking on the practical tasks: a spouse, an adult child, an executor, a close friend. It assumes you are in England or Wales, with notes on the differences for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

10 min read

What happens to energy and water bills when someone dies in a property they owned?

When someone dies and leaves behind a property they owned, one of the many practical questions families face is: what happens to the gas, electricity and water bills?

5 min read

How much does a funeral cost in the UK?

The average cost of a simple attended funeral in the UK is now £3,828. That figure covers the core elements: funeral director services, a basic coffin, and the cremation or burial fee.

Bereavement leave UK: what employees and employers need to know

This guide covers the current statutory position, what most employers offer in practice, the specific rights that exist for parents who lose a child, what to do if your employer's policy falls short, and what is changing under the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Funeral Planning

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How long after death is a funeral in the UK?

This guide explains what drives the timeline, what can delay a funeral, and what the realistic upper limit is if you need longer.

How to write a eulogy

This guide focuses on what actually makes a eulogy land when delivered, and on the practical decisions that get you from blank page to finished draft. It is written for the person who has never done this before, may not speak in public often, and is grieving.

9 min read

Celebration of Life Ideas: How to Plan a Service That Feels Like Them

This guide covers practical ideas for music, venues, themes, order of service, and the smaller personal touches that make a difference.

First Month

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What to do when someone dies in the UK: a step-by-step guide

This guide explains what to do in the first days, weeks and months after a death in the UK. It is written for the person taking on the practical tasks: a spouse, an adult child, an executor, a close friend. It assumes you are in England or Wales, with notes on the differences for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

10 min read

What happens to council tax when someone dies in the UK

Council tax does not automatically stop when someone dies. Whether you owe anything, and for how long, depends on who was living at the property, whether they owned or rented it, and how quickly the estate is settled. Get it right and there may be nothing to pay for months. Get it wrong and charges can accumulate, or a refund you are owed goes unclaimed.

Death certificates UK: how many you need and where to use them

This guide covers how death certificates are issued, how many to order, where they are needed, what they cost, and how to get more copies if you need them later.

Managing the Estate

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How to value an estate for probate in the UK

This guide walks through the steps in order, with enough detail to see the process through from start to finish without getting lost.

8 min read

The residence nil rate band: how it works and what it could save you

The rules are more complicated than that headline suggests. The RNRB applies only in certain circumstances, tapers away for larger estates, and has several edge cases that catch families out. This guide explains how it works, who qualifies, and what practical steps matter when an estate involves a family home.

9 min read

What happens to a pension when someone dies in the UK

This guide explains how each type of pension pays out, what the executor or beneficiary needs to do, and what the major changes coming in April 2027 mean for families.

10 min read