Who needs to be informed when someone dies?

Death is inevitable yet, very painful.

The loss of a loved one is a feeling that’s very difficult to live with.

But in most cases, people are often at a loss and are unable to come up with a list of people/organizations they are supposed to inform if someone has died.

Below is a checklist of the people or institutions who ought to be in the know when someone dies;

People To Inform First

• Tell family members and friends about the death.
• Employer or educational establishments.
• Health professionals. You will also need to cancel any outstanding hospital, dental, podiatry or other health related appointments.
• Agencies providing care such as social services, home carers, meals on wheels and day centres.

Financial Institutions

• Banks/National Savings/building societies.
• Insurance companies (e.g. life, buildings/contents, medical, car, travel).
• Pension providers.
• Credit card/store card providers.
• Any other financial institutions must be informed so that any accounts solely in the deceased’s name can be frozen to prevent fraud. You should also inform companies/organisations with joint accounts, although these should normally still be accessible by the other joint holder.

Property and Utilities

• If the deceased lived in rented accommodation, inform the local authority, housing association or private landlord.
• Buildings and property insurance companies to ensure continued cover especially if the property is left unoccupied.
• Utility companies (electricity, gas, water and telephone) and arrange transfer of account details if necessary.
• TV/internet companies.

Government offices

• Pensions Service or Jobcentre Plus to cancel any benefits to the deceased or their carer. To find out more, you can call us for advice and contact details.
• Local government offices that provide services such as the Electoral Register, housing benefit, council tax office, bus pass, disabled parking permits, library membership.
• The DVLA and the insurance company if the deceased owned a car or held a driving licence.
• The Passport Agency.