Who to inform when someone dies

• 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 organisations

• 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

• Mortgage provider.
• 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.
• Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to deal with tax and Child Benefit payments (if applicable).
• 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.

Other contacts

• Arrange redirection of post if necessary and reduce the burden of any unwanted mail by registering with the Bereavement Register.
• Clubs/membership organisations/social groups.
• If the deceased held a firearms licence for work and/or recreational purposes, please contact your local police station.

Find out more about informing companies and organisations.