Checklist of what you need to do

What needs to happen
When someone dies, you’ll need to inform various people and organisations. If you’re unsure of who needs to be notified, you should check the bank statements of the person who has died for details of Direct Debits, standing orders and dividends. This is not a definitive list, there may be other people you need to notify, depending on the individual.

Who needs to be told when someone dies:

• employer and co-workers,
• doctor and/or hospital,
• banks and building societies,
• mortgage, pensions, investments and insurance providers - including building and contents insurance,
• Credit Card and store card providers,
• all utility services including mobile phone suppliers,
• council tax department,
• car insurer,
• social security office, if the person who has died was receiving any state benefits,
• housing department, if the person who has died was living in a council house,
• HM Revenue & Customs, see leaflet IR45 - call 0845 9000 404 to ask for a copy,
• Share Registrars,
• Post Office – to divert mail.

What you need to return
The following belongings need to be returned to the respective organisation with a note giving the date the person died:

• passport – to the nearest UK Passport Service office. You can call 0870 521 0410 for the address,
• driver’s licence – to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AB. A car tax refund may also be due,
• vehicle registration documents – follow instructions on the form,
• travel season tickets (don’t forget to ask about refunds) – to your local station,
• benefit/pension books – to the local DSS office,
• TV licence – to change the name on the licence or get a refund,
• membership cards of clubs or associations,
• library tickets and library books,
• Direct Debits and cheque books to the relevant companies,
• copy of registrar’s death certificate/coroners certificate.

It’s useful to know that The Bereavement Register is a service which will remove, from databases and mailing lists, the names and addresses of people who have died. To find out more, or to register, visit www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk.

Entitlements and financial help
Make sure you’re getting any payments that you’re entitled to, for example if you are the sole occupant of the house you may be entitled to a reduction in your council tax. Widows and widowers are usually entitled to a bereavement payment or allowance, and so are widowed parents. You can find out more from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, from www.adviceguide.org.uk, from the DSS or Jobs and Benefits offices.