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uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises

What to do if…
you find someone who appears to have died and you are the first person there

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Check that it is safe to approach, then call 999 immediately if the person is unresponsive and there is no clear expected-death care plan. Put your phone on speaker and follow the call handler’s instructions, including any breathing checks, CPR or recovery-position guidance.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume that the person is dead or delay getting help because they look cold, still or seriously injured.
  • Do not approach if traffic, fire, electricity, violence, chemicals, water or another hazard could put you in danger.
  • Do not move the person unless this is necessary for immediate safety or first aid, or the 999 call handler tells you to.
  • Do not clean the area, rearrange clothing or bedding, or remove nearby medicines, containers or other items.
  • Do not give the person food, drink or medicines.
  • Do not stop CPR unless the call handler or an emergency responder tells you to, you become physically unable to continue, or continuing would be unsafe.
  • Do not leave unless you need to reach safety, need to call 999 because no working phone is available, or the call handler directs you to move.
  • Do not take or share photographs, post online or contact a wide circle of people while emergency services are responding.

What to do now

  1. Check for immediate danger before approaching. If the area is unsafe, stay back, move to a safer position and tell the 999 operator about the hazard.
  2. Call 999 immediately if the person is unresponsive. Give the exact location, say that you have found someone who appears to have died, and put the phone on speaker. If you have no working phone or signal, shout for help and leave briefly if necessary to make the call.
  3. Follow the call handler’s instructions to assess the person. Slow, laboured, panting, gasping or irregular breathing is not normal breathing.
  4. Start CPR if the person is not breathing normally, following the call handler’s instructions. If a defibrillator is available, attach it and follow its spoken instructions.
  5. If another person is present, ask them to fetch a nearby defibrillator, unlock entrances and guide emergency responders to the exact location.
  6. If the person is breathing normally, follow the call handler’s instructions about their position and continue watching their breathing. Do not place them in the recovery position if the call handler advises against moving them because of possible injury or abnormal breathing.
  7. Apart from anything required for safety or first aid, leave the person and surrounding area as you found them.
  8. When responders arrive, tell them what you directly observed, when you arrived, whether anything changed, what first aid you gave, and anything you touched or moved.
  9. If the death was expected and there is a current end-of-life care plan, follow its contact instructions. If the plan is unclear, unavailable or does not fit what you have found, call 999.
  10. After responders take over, contact one trusted person who can stay with you or help you travel safely. Tell a responder if you feel too shocked or unwell to be alone.

What can wait

You do not need to decide about death registration, funeral arrangements, belongings, finances or wider notifications now. Focus only on safety, the correct urgent contact, following first-aid instructions and giving responders a clear account of what you observed.

Important reassurance

You are not expected to confirm that someone has died. Calling for help and following professional instructions is the right response when you are uncertain. Police may attend a sudden or unexpected death as part of the normal process; their attendance does not by itself mean that anyone is suspected of wrongdoing.

Scope note

This guide covers the first safe actions at the scene only. Later processes differ across the four UK nations and may require help from healthcare professionals, police, bereavement services or the relevant death-investigation authority.

Important note

This is general information, not medical, legal or other professional advice. During an emergency, follow the instructions of the 999 call handler and emergency responders rather than this guide.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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