Question 1

What do the Police do when someone dies at home?

Accepted Answer

The Police will: Attend a sudden or unexplained death and confirm there is nothing suspicious; Refer the death to the coroner; Secure the immediate scene while they are there; Contact next of kin if the family is not present. They will not: Clean or clear the property; Arrange the funeral or contact the funeral director for you; Secure or board up the house long term; Deal with the will, the estate or the belongings.

Question 2

When does the coroner get involved, and what do they do?

Accepted Answer

The coroner will: Investigate deaths that are sudden, unexplained, violent, or where no doctor can certify the cause; Order a post-mortem where needed; Release the body to the family when the investigation allows; Open an inquest in a small number of cases. They will not: Blame anyone — an investigation is not an accusation; Charge the family for their work; Register the death for you, though they send the paperwork to the registrar.

Question 3

What does a funeral director actually include in the price?

Accepted Answer

The funeral director will: Collect and care for the person, and arrange the service, coffin and transport; Liaise with the crematorium, cemetery or church; Give you a standardised price list — required by law. They will not: Automatically include cremation or burial fees, doctors' fees, flowers, cars, or the wake; Register the death for you; Handle probate or the estate.

Question 4

Do I need a solicitor to deal with probate?

Accepted Answer

The solicitor will: Apply for probate and handle the estate administration; Advise where there is no will, a dispute, a trust, a business, or inheritance tax; Take on liability for getting it right. They will not: Have to be used — most simple estates can be done yourself online; Usually charge a fixed fee unless you ask for one.

Question 5

What should a house clearance company do, and what should it cost?

Accepted Answer

A house clearance company will: Empty the property including loft, garage, shed and garden if agreed; Dispose of waste legally under a waste carrier licence; Set aside paperwork and valuables they come across. They will not: Value the estate for probate; Deep clean by default — that is usually a separate job.

Question 6

Who cleans after an unattended death?

Accepted Answer

A specialist cleaning company will: Carry out biohazard decontamination with controlled waste disposal; Remove flooring, plaster or furniture that cannot be made safe; Work with your insurer where the policy covers it. They will not: Ask the family to be present or involved; Charge for a quote or an assessment visit.

Question 7

What happens when you register a death?

Accepted Answer

The register office will: Record the death legally, within 5 days in England and Wales; Issue the green form for the funeral director and death certificates; Start the Tell Us Once process. They will not: Notify banks, insurers, utilities or private pensions.

Who actually does what?

The Police

The coroner

The funeral director

The solicitor

A house clearance company

A specialist cleaning company

The register office