Notify:

• Next of kin

• GP or hospital

• Registrar

• Funeral director

• Employers, schools or community groups

• Banks, insurers and pension providers (when ready)
  

The death must be registered with the local Civil Registration Office.
This is usually done by:

• A close family member

• The executor of the estate

• A person present at the death

• The funeral director may assist with guidance, but cannot register the death on your behalf

We will explain the process clearly and help you gather the documents you need.

A Death Certificate is issued by the Civil Registration Office once the death has been registered.
You can request copies:

• In person at a local Civil Registration Office

• Online via the HSE Civil Registration Service website

• By phone or post

We can guide you to the correct office if you’re unsure.

A standard Death Certificate typically costs €20 in Ireland.
Additional copies can be ordered at the same time or later.
(Prices may change — we can guide you to the most up-to-date information.)

Our role is to gently guide and support you, and to take care of all arrangements including:

• Transporting and caring for your loved one

• Advising on burial or cremation

• Helping you choose the type of funeral you want

• Organising the ceremony (religious, civil, or Humanist)

• Liaising with clergy, celebrants, cemeteries and crematoria

• Arranging flowers, music and printed materials

• Preparing and placing death notices

• Managing official documents and permits

• Offering guidance on post-funeral steps

We are here to support you through every decision — both the small details and the major ones.

A post mortem (or autopsy) is a medical examination carried out by a pathologist to determine the cause of death.
It is usually ordered by a coroner when:

• The cause of death is unclear

• The death was sudden or unexpected

• There may be public health or legal reasons

We will explain what to expect and keep you informed sensitively throughout the process.

Financial support may be available depending on circumstances:

• Department of Social Protection – Exceptional Needs Payment

• Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant (if applicable)

• Credit Union Death Benefit Scheme (varies by branch)

• Trade union or employer support schemes

• Life insurance or funeral plans

We will help you identify what supports may apply.

In many cases, joint accounts become the property of the surviving account holder, and funds may be accessed.
However:

• This depends on how the account was set up

• The bank may request the Death Certificate

• Revenue rules may also apply in certain cases

We always recommend checking with the bank for clear guidance.

Medical Cards should be returned to the local HSE office after the death.
This can be done by post, and we can guide you through the process if helpful.

The executor named in the will is responsible for:

• Managing the estate

• Distributing assets

• Paying any debts or taxes

• Applying for probate

If you’re unsure who the executor is, we can gently help you understand how to locate this information.

If someone dies without a will, they are considered intestate.
In this case:

• A next of kin applies for Letters of Administration

• Irish law determines how assets are distributed

• Spouses/civil partners and children have specific entitlements

A solicitor can assist with this process, and we can point you toward trusted legal resources if needed.

The executor must:

1. Gather details of the deceased’s assets

2. Complete the required probate forms

3. Submit them to the Probate Office or a local District Probate Registry

4. Pay any relevant fees

Many families appoint a solicitor to manage the probate process, but it is also possible to do it independently.

Under Irish law, a spouse or civil partner has automatic rights called the legal right share, meaning:

• If there are children, the spouse is entitled to one-third of the estate

• If there are no children, the spouse is entitled to one-half

This applies even if the will leaves less.

In Ireland, inheritance tax (Capital Acquisitions Tax) depends on:

• The value of the inheritance

• The relationship to the deceased

• The current tax-free thresholds

Spouses/civil partners are generally exempt.
Children have a higher tax-free threshold than other relatives. We can help point you toward accurate, up-to-date tax information.

Typically, the surviving spouse retains the home, either through ownership or a legal right of residence. A solicitor can confirm specific details.