What to do when someone dies in the UK: a guide for Romanian families

When someone close to you dies in the UK, far from home, it is hard to know what to do first, especially in a second language and an unfamiliar system. This guide sets out the practical steps in a simple order, so you can take them one at a time. You do not have to do any of it alone.

Step 1: A doctor confirms the death

Before anything else, a doctor must confirm the death and issue a medical certificate of cause of death. What you do depends on where the person died:

• At home and expected: call their GP surgery. Out of hours, call 111.
• In hospital or a care home: the medical staff will handle the certificate and tell you the next steps.
• Sudden or unexpected: call 999. The death may be reported to the coroner, who establishes the cause before the deceased can be released.

Step 2: Register the death

The death must be registered at the local register office. In England and Wales a medical examiner reviews the death first, and you then have five days from their confirmation to register; in Scotland the period is eight days. You take the medical certificate with you, and you receive the official death certificate. Ask for several certified copies, you will need more than one, both in the UK and in Romania. The full process is set out in registering a death in England and Wales.

Step 3: Decide what happens next

You then have a choice, and there is no wrong answer:

• A funeral in the UK, a burial or cremation here, which we arrange locally for families across London and Greater London.
• Repatriation to Romania, bringing your loved one home for the funeral, which we arrange from anywhere in the UK.

If you are unsure, that is completely normal. We will talk it through with you and explain the costs and timelines for each, so you can decide with a clear head.

Step 4: Contact a funeral director

A funeral director takes over the practical burden: caring for your loved one, preparing the paperwork, and either arranging the local funeral or organising the repatriation, including the transport and the consular documents. You can call us at any hour, wherever you are in the UK, whether that is London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Luton or Leicester.

Getting help in your own language

One of the hardest parts of losing someone abroad is dealing with officials and paperwork in English at the worst possible time. We support the Romanian and wider EU community, and we will guide you clearly and patiently. Local Romanian churches and community associations are also a source of practical and emotional support.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first thing to do?

Have a doctor confirm the death and issue the medical certificate. Call the GP if it was expected and at home, or 999 if it was sudden.

How long do we have to register the death?

In England and Wales, five days from the point the medical examiner's office confirms you can register, not five days from the death. In Scotland it is eight days.

Can we take our relative home to Romania?

Yes. Once the death is registered you can choose repatriation, and we handle the documents, preparation, transport and consular authorisation. Read our step-by-step repatriation guide.