Emotional and Crisis Support in Northern Ireland

After somebody dies, grief arrives alongside forms, telephone calls, money worries and decisions you may never have dealt with before. These official services and tools can help with the practical side of a death in Northern Ireland.

Official Northern Ireland guidance

Northern Ireland Official hub nidirect: Death and Bereavement
Official information about registering a death, funerals, benefits, wills, probate and practical arrangements.
Northern Ireland Who to notify Who to Tell About a Death
A practical list of government bodies, financial organisations and other services that may need informed.
Northern Ireland Coroner Coroners, Post-mortems and Inquests
Official information about when a death is reported to the coroner and what can happen afterwards.

Money, benefits and funeral costs

Northern Ireland Benefits Department for Communities Bereavement Service
A single point of contact for reporting a death to relevant benefit offices and discussing possible entitlements.Telephone: 0800 085 2463
Northern Ireland Benefit Bereavement Support Payment
Eligibility, payment information and how to claim following the death of a spouse or civil partner.
Northern Ireland Funeral costs Funeral Expenses Payment
Information for people receiving certain benefits who need help paying for a funeral.
Northern Ireland Child funeral costs Child Funeral Fund
Financial support towards eligible funeral costs following the death of a child.
Northern Ireland Independent advice Advice NI: Bereavement Benefits
Independent information about bereavement-related benefits and financial support.
UK and Northern IrelandMoney guidance MoneyHelper: What to Do When Someone Dies
Guidance about bills, debts, pensions, tax, benefits and other financial tasks.

Probate and legal help

Northern Ireland Probate Probate in Northern Ireland
Official information about applying for probate or letters of administration.
Northern Ireland Estate Dealing With a Deceased Person’s Money and Property
Guidance about the estate, debts, property and the responsibilities of personal representatives.
Northern Ireland Solicitor directory Law Society of Northern Ireland
Search for a Northern Ireland solicitor. Ask directly about experience in probate, intestacy or contentious estates.

Notifying organisations

UK and Northern Ireland Banks Death Notification Service
A free service for notifying participating banks and building societies about a death.
UK and Northern Ireland Companies and accounts Life Ledger
A free service that helps notify multiple companies and close or transfer accounts.

Work and funeral services

Northern Ireland Employment Labour Relations Agency
Free and confidential information about employment rights, leave and workplace problems.
Northern Ireland Parental leave Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay
Official guidance on leave and pay following qualifying child bereavements from 6 April 2026.
UK and Northern Ireland Funeral director directory National Association of Funeral Directors
Search for a member funeral director by location.
UK and Northern Ireland Independent funeral directors SAIF: Find a Member
Search for an independent funeral director belonging to SAIF.

This directory provides general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules depend on individual circumstances, so check important decisions with the relevant organisation or a suitably qualified professional.

Know of a useful resource?

If you know of a useful website, organisation or service that should be included, please contact me with the details. I’ll review your suggestion and, if it is relevant, add it to the directory. Alternatively, if you need to updates please do let me know.

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