After someone dies there can be a seemingly endless list of people to tell. Those who will need to be told include government departments, banks and building societies, insurance companies, utilities and media companies. The step-by-step guide on the Moneysaving Expert website has a good list of all those you will have to tell.
There are a couple of schemes which may help you to cut down on the number of organisations you need to contact.
- The Government’s Tell Us Once service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. You will be told if this service is available in your area when you register the death
- The Death Notification Service is a free service which allows you to notify a number of banks and building societies (financial institutions) of a person's death, at the same time.
What can help
The task can seem daunting, but making a list and breaking it into small steps can help. If you have a friend or relative who has been offering to help, sitting down together and making a plan of how you will tackle the admin can help.
You can find some helplines and organisations who can help you on our useful links page.
Having to tell people in person or over the phone that someone has died can be a difficult experience. We hope that you will always be met with care and kindness by everyone you speak to. Where possible ask to speak to the bereavement service of an organisation, where you are more likely to come across people who have been trained to deal considerately with bereaved customers.
If you do have a difficult or emotional experience you can talk to us. Call our helpline on 0808 808 1677. Opening hours.
Cruse local services can also offer support over the phone and internet.
If you have been treated badly by any organisation, let us know by emailing stories@cruse.org.uk. Our campaign Bereaved Customers First is working towards better treatment for all bereaved customers, and we can offer training to organisations who are providing poor service.