What to do if someone dies at Christmas

A step-by-step guide of what to do when someone dies over the Christmas period

Losing a loved one during the Christmas period can be especially distressing, as it comes at a time when many services are closed or operating reduced hours. However, help is still available. Funeral directors, out-of-hours doctors, and emergency services remain on call to guide you through what needs to be done.

Step 1: Immediately After Someone Dies

If the death was expected and occurred at home

Contact the GP practice or NHS 111 out-of-hours service.

If the death occurs on Christmas Day or outside normal surgery hours, call NHS 111, who can connect you to an out-of-hours doctor.
A doctor or nurse will verify the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
The certificate will then be reviewed by a medical examiner, who may contact you to ensure you understand its contents.

Call a funeral director when you feel ready.

Funeral directors are available 24/7, including Christmas Day, to collect your loved one and begin making arrangements.
You can find a funeral director local to you through The Farewell Guide, which provides a directory of trusted professionals in your area.

If the death was unexpected at home

Call 999 immediately.

Emergency services will attend, and the police may be involved as part of routine procedure.
A coroner will be notified if the cause of death is unclear, unnatural, or unexpected.
If a post-mortem is required, this may cause delays—particularly over the Christmas period when services are reduced.

If the death occurred in hospital

Hospital staff will guide you through the steps.

Even during the Christmas period, hospitals will issue the MCCD and provide information on how to register the death.
The body will usually remain in the hospital mortuary until you contact a funeral director.

If the death occurred abroad

Contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for support. They remain available 24/7 at 020 7008 5000.
A certified translation of the local death certificate may be required for use in the UK. There may be some delays here, depending on which country you’re in and what holidays are being observed.

Step 2: Register the Death

By law, you must register a death within 5 days (or 8 days in Scotland). However, over the Christmas period, this can be challenging as register offices may be closed on public holidays such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.

How to Register a Death Over Christmas:

Contact the local register office as soon as possible.

Many offices will operate reduced hours over the Christmas period, so phone ahead to book an appointment.

Prepare Information: You will need to provide:

Full name, date, and place of death.
Usual address and occupation of the deceased.
Spouse or civil partner’s details.

What You’ll Receive:

A Green Form (certificate for burial or cremation).
A unique reference for the Tell Us Once service.
Death certificates (it’s advisable to purchase extra copies).

Step 3: Notify Organisations Using the Tell Us Once Service

The Tell Us Once service allows you to report a death to most government organisations in one go. This saves you time and reduces the need to contact multiple departments individually—something that’s especially helpful during the Christmas period when services may be disrupted.

How to Use Tell Us Once:

When you register the death, the registrar will provide you with a unique reference number.

Tell Us Once is available online 24/7, even during the Christmas period. You can access it at GOV.UK.

If you prefer, you can use the service by phone at 0800 085 7308.

Organisations Contacted Through Tell Us Once:

HMRC for tax purposes.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for State Pension or benefits.

DVLA to cancel a driving licence.

HM Passport Office to cancel the deceased’s passport.

Local councils for services such as Council Tax, Blue Badge schemes, and electoral registration.

If your local council does not offer the Tell Us Once service, you will need to notify these organisations individually.

Step 4: Arrange the Funeral

Funeral directors understand that Christmas is a difficult time to lose someone and remain on call 24/7. As Scott Watters, a funeral director in Cornwall, explains:

“Families deserve our services on Christmas Day just as much as any other day. It’s more than just a date to families.”

Find a Local Funeral Director

You can use The Farewell Guide to find trusted funeral directors in your area. This ensures you have the support of experienced professionals during this challenging time.

Key Considerations for Christmas Funerals

Contact a Funeral Director early. Funeral directors can handle many arrangements for you, even when other services are unavailable. They will provide a price list and help with:

Moving your loved one
Coffin choices
Transport to a crematorium or cemetery
Necessary paperwork and third-party fees.

Be aware of delays. Crematoria, cemeteries, and council offices may be closed or operate reduced hours. Discuss any potential delays with the funeral director—they will help you plan accordingly.

Step 5: Coping with Grief Over Christmas

The Christmas period can amplify feelings of grief, as it is usually a time of celebration and togetherness. If you’re struggling, consider the following:

Reach out to family, friends, or support groups.

Take time to care for yourself and allow yourself to grieve.

Bereavement services remain available—many offer phone support, even during the holidays.

Remember: While services may be more limited over Christmas, help is always just a phone call away. Whether it’s NHS 111, funeral directors found through The Farewell Guide, or bereavement support, you are not alone during this difficult time.

Related Articles:

How To Deal With A Loved One in Their Last Days

How To Speak About Death With Loved Ones

Grief At Christmas