Losing someone close is one of the most emotionally challenging experiences we can face, especially when organisations require you to notify of a death. Once the immediate matters of registering the death and arranging the funeral are attended to, the practical tasks follow, including informing a wide range of organisations that the person has died. Whether it was expected or not, dealing with a death is always a stressful experience. Life Ledger can help you simplify the death notification process, but that is only one of many practicalities that need to be addressed.
Why is it important to notify companiesÂ
When someone dies, they often leave behind a variety of accounts and obligations: bank accounts, credit cards, pensions, utilities, subscriptions, digital services, insurance policies and more. If these aren’t addressed in a timely way:
- Ongoing direct debits or standing orders may continue, reducing what remains in the estate.
- Unchecked subscriptions or services may continue incurring costs.
- The risk of identity misuse or fraudulent activity increases if accounts remain live in the deceased’s name.
- Distributing the estate becomes more complex and time-consuming for executors or administrators.
By informing organisations promptly, you support the efficient administration of the estate, gain peace of mind for the family and ensure fewer surprises or delays.
1. Take a moment to breathe and gather key information
Before diving into tasks, pause for a moment. Collect any paperwork or instructions the deceased may have left: a will, funeral wishes, organ-donation records, lists of accounts and subscriptions, anything that may ease the next steps. This early awareness helps you move more confidently into the practical work.
2. Getting the medical certificate and registering the death
A doctor will issue a medical certificate verifying the cause of death. Once you have that, you’ll need to register the death with the local registrar (within five days in England & Wales, unless a coroner is involved). At registration, you’ll receive a death certificate and, in many cases, a unique reference for the government service called Tell Us Once.Â
3. Use Tell Us Once (or notify key government departments)
If the person died in England, Wales or Scotland, you can use the Tell Us Once service, which lets you report the death to many government bodies in one step. If the service isn’t available for your situation, you’ll need to contact departments such as HMRC, the DWP, DVLA, Passport Office, and the local council directly. This step helps prevent benefit overpayments, incorrect state payments and builds a clean record for the estate.
4. Arrange the funeral and consider immediate logistics
With the death registered and initial notifications underway, you’ll want to focus on funeral arrangements, in line with any wishes the deceased expressed. At the same time, check practical matters such as: securing the property, cancelling or redirecting deliveries, notifying close relatives and friends, and checking for pets or perishable items.Â
5. Start informing banks, insurers, utilities and subscriptions
Once the immediate tasks are underway, move to the next tier of notifications:
- Banks, building societies, credit cards, loans
- Pension providers (private, workplace, personal)
- Life, health, travel and pet insurance policies
- Utilities (gas, electricity, water), telecoms, broadband, mobile contracts
- Digital services: streaming platforms, loyalty schemes, email and social-media accounts
- Be ready with key details: the full name of the deceased, date of birth, date of death, account references, and copies of the death certificate. Failure to notify can mean ongoing charges, unwanted access to accounts, or delays in finalising the estate.Â
6. Don’t overlook digital legacy and smaller obligations
Sometimes the smaller items are forgotten. Think: social-media accounts, email addresses, loyalty memberships, magazine subscriptions, gyms, clubs, and deliveries. These may seem minor, but they can continue billing or require action. And from a security perspective, deactivating or transferring digital accounts reduces the risk of misuse. This is where a service like Life Ledger may help, by letting you notify many organisations from one dashboard, reducing duplication and the chance of something being missed.
7. Determine whether probate or administration of the estate is required
At some point, you’ll need to review whether you must apply for a grant of probate (or letters of administration if there’s no will). The need for this depends on factors such as the value of assets, whether property is owned solely, whether there are debts, etc. While that process may feel distant when the grief is fresh, starting to gather documentation (will, asset statements, property deeds, pension information) helps once you move into the estate-administration phase.
8. Keep records and stay organised
You will make things far easier for yourself (and for the estate) by keeping a tidy folder, digital or physical, with:
- Death certificate copies (order more than one).
- List of contact details and reference numbers for each organisation notified.
- Dates of calls and so on to organisations.
- A checklist of accounts, subscriptions, contracts and status (closed/transferred).
This audit trail builds trust and clarity, especially if multiple family members or an executor become involved.
9. Take time for grief and support
While the practical tasks matter, the emotional side is equally important. Grief work is real, and it’s okay to pause. Organisations such as Cruse Bereavement Support, Sue Ryder and other local bereavement charities can be vital support. Taking time out from the paperwork or handling it in smaller chunks reduces the risk of burnout and helps you stay resilient.
10. Final steps and closing off the estate
As you move forward:
- Ensure all debts and taxes (including inheritance tax, if applicable) are settled.
- Distribute assets according to the will, or failing that, according to the rules of intestacy.
- If a property is involved, update records (Land Registry, conveyancing) and handlers. Once every contract is closed, every notification is done, the estate can be formally closed. The sense of finality helps family members achieve closure.
Why this structured approach matters
Taking things step by step, rather than trying to do everything in one day, helps you stay in control and avoid mistakes. By following these stages, you:
- Protect estate assets and prevent unnecessary costs
- Minimise identity and fraud risks
- Enable a smoother process for whoever is administering the estate
- Allow space to grieve while the practical side is handled
Why timely action supports estate management and family wellbeing
Prompt and thorough notification has tangible benefits:
- It helps maximise what remains in the estate for the beneficiaries by preventing ongoing charges or direct debits.
- It ensures a smoother administration process for executors by reducing late surprises, duplicate accounts or unresolved services.
- It offers emotional relief to families – knowing the administrative side is being addressed means more mental space for grief and recovery.
- It safeguards against identity theft or misuse of the deceased’s name or accounts.
How to prioritise what to tackle first
Given the number of organisations you may need to contact, prioritising can help:
- Immediately: Register the death, obtain certificates, and use the Tell Us Once service.
- Within the first 7-14 days: Banks, pensions, life insurance, and utility providers with direct debits.
- Within the first month: Subscriptions, digital accounts, loyalty cards, minor services.
- Over the longer term (weeks–months): Ensure all smaller contracts are closed, verify final bills, document status for the estate, dispose of or transfer property if needed, and finalise tax or inheritance issues.
Final suggestions for best practice
- Order multiple certified death-certificate copies at the time of registration (many organisations will not accept photocopies).
- Create a checklist and tick off each company you’ve notified; share this list with other family members or executors.
- Where opt-in services like Life Ledger are available, consider using them to reduce duplication and ensure you don’t miss less-obvious accounts.
- Keep one folder (physical or digital) containing all correspondence, account statements, records of notifications and screenshots of dashboards where relevant.
- If at any point you feel uncertain (especially for estate/ probate matters, business ownership, overseas assets), consult a professional such as a solicitor or estate-planning adviser.
By organising this part of the process clearly and steadily, you protect the interests of the deceased and their family, streamline the estate-administration process, and reduce the emotional load during a difficult time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of organisations you need to notify of a death, Life Ledger can help make the process easier. Our secure, free-to-use platform allows you to inform multiple companies in one place, saving time and reducing stress at a difficult moment. Contact us today and take one task off your mind.
