A death brings grief, distress and upheaval. It can be hard to know where to start, or to find the energy, to deal with the practical and administrative tasks that follow, whether the death was expected or not. This blog provides a helpful summary of the individuals and businesses to contact following the loss of a loved one.
One of the first practical steps is to check whether the deceased left a will, you may need to find a registered will before proceeding. After that you should begin notifying the people who where in the deceased life.
People to Notify After a Death
You may wish to inform close family and friends before dealing with formal matters. This includes:
Friends and family – Even though it’s difficult, family and friends may come together to support you.
Employer – Contacting co-workers and the deceased’s employer is the next step if the deceased was employed. They can then deal with any outstanding salary, workplace benefits or pension arrangements.
Educational institutions – The institution should be informed if the deceased was enrolled, including full-time schools, colleges, universities, or adult education programs.
Community and clubs – They may also have been involved in social groups, clubs or community organisations.
Their dentist and general practitioner should be notified as soon as feasible.
Regular appointments should also be informed, such as chiropractors, salons, gyms, clubs and classes.
Businesses to Notify After a Death
- Services of the Central and Local Governments
- HM Revenue and Customs, or HMRC
- DWP (Department for Work and Pensions)
- National Insurance Contributions Office
- United Kingdom Passport Agency
- Child Benefit
- The local government
- The DVLA
- Solicitor
- Accountant
- Mortgage provider landlord
- Insurance companies
- Pension providers
- Building society/bank
- Stocks and investments
- Loan providers, lenders or finance companies
- Providers of credit cards
- Utility businesses (phone bill, water, gas and electric)
- TV license
- Provider of TV, phone, and internet packages
- Businesses that charge for subscriptions
The government’s Tell Us Once service allows you to report a death to multiple departments at the same time, this in many cases can feel more manageable.
In Summary
The above lists include the significant people and organisations to notify following a death, but it’s important to understand that each person will have unique relationships and obligations. To make sure you cover everything and don’t overlook anything crucial, it is a good idea to take some time to review their documentation. You can also review the official government guidance on what to do after a death to ensure you follow the correct legal process.
Once you are confident that the necessary notifications have been made, you can focus on arranging the funeral and giving yourself time to grieve. If you are unsure about the legal steps involved in probate and estate administration, professional guidance can help ensure nothing is overlooked
