Bereavement and the law

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

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

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 . 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)