When someone dies there are a host of legal and practical requirements to attend to, and many decisions and arrangements have to be made by families, often at a time of great personal distress.

A helpful leaflet entitled 'What to do after a death in England and Wales' is produced by the Department for Work and Pensions. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2006/d49_april06.pdf [1]

This leaflet gives information and guidance about what to do from the moment of a person's death, for example, obtaining a Medical Certificate showing the cause of death, registering the death and arranging the funeral. It can be obtained from local social security offices, as well as on the DWP website [2]

If the death occurs in Scotland, the leaflet 'What to do after a death in Scotland' can be obtained from a registration office, Citizens Advice Bureau or social security office, or from The Scottish Executive Justice Department, Spur VI, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH1 3XD or online at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/08/17011/21437 [3] . You should also get leaflet D49S: What to do after a death in Scotland - social security supplement from a social security office or registration office in Scotland.

Article by Anne Gray LLB, Barrister, 2004 (revised 2006) 'When a Parent Dies - the law about caring for children'(PDF: 284KB) [3]