What to Do When Someone Dies in Scotland — A Complete Guide

Losing someone you love is one of the most difficult experiences any of us will face. In the midst of grief, there are practical steps that need to be taken — and in Scotland, some of these differ from the rest of the UK. This guide walks you through what needs to happen, when, and who can help.

In the First 24 Hours

When someone dies, there are a few things that need to happen straight away:

• Contact a doctor — If the death was expected (at home or in a care home), contact the person's GP. The doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). If the death was unexpected, contact 999 — the police and Procurator Fiscal may need to be involved.
• Contact a funeral director — You do not need to do this immediately, but most families find it helpful to make contact within the first day. The funeral director will guide you through the next steps, including collecting the person from the place of death.
• Tell close family and friends — Let the people closest to the person know. This can be done gradually — there is no rush.
• Secure the property — If the person lived alone, make sure their home is secure. Check that doors and windows are locked, and cancel any expected deliveries.

Within the First Five Days

In Scotland, a death must be registered within 8 days. Here is what you need to do:

• Register the death — This is done at the local registrar's office in the area where the person died. You will need the MCCD from the doctor, and if possible, the person's birth certificate, marriage certificate, and NHS medical card.
• Who can register the death? — A relative of the deceased, someone present at the death, the person's executor, or the occupier of the premises where the death occurred.
• What you will receive — The registrar will give you a Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 14), which you need for the funeral. You can also purchase additional certified copies of the death certificate — these will be needed for banks, insurance companies and solicitors. We recommend ordering at least 4-6 copies.

Notifying Organisations

Once you have the death certificate, you need to let a number of organisations know:

• Tell Us Once — Scotland has a Tell Us Once service that lets you report a death to most government departments in a single phone call or online session. This covers the DWP, HMRC, DVLA, passport office, local council and more.
• Banks and building societies — Contact each bank where the person held an account. They will freeze the accounts and guide you through the process of releasing funds. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate.
• Insurance and pension providers — Contact any life insurance, pension or annuity providers. Some policies pay out quickly and can help cover funeral costs.
• Utility companies — Contact gas, electricity, water and broadband providers to close or transfer accounts.
• Council tax — Notify the local council. The property may be exempt from council tax for up to 6 months if it is unoccupied.

The Will and Estate

• Finding the will — Check the person's home, their solicitor, or the Registers of Scotland. If you do not know whether a will exists, a solicitor can help you search.
• Applying for Confirmation — In Scotland, the legal process for dealing with someone's estate is called Confirmation (the equivalent of probate in England). If there is a will, the executor named in it applies to the Sheriff Court for Confirmation. If there is no will, the court appoints an executor-dative.
• Small estates — If the estate is valued at less than £36,000, you can apply for Confirmation yourself through the local Sheriff Court without a solicitor. The court staff will help you complete the forms.

The Funeral

• In Scotland, there is no legal minimum waiting period for a funeral, but most take place within 7-14 days of the death.
• If the person left funeral wishes — including preferences for burial or cremation, music, readings or dress code — the funeral director will help you follow them.
• If there are no recorded wishes, the family decides. This is one of the most common sources of stress and disagreement — and one of the reasons we built Exit Plan Legacy.

One Last Thought