Who to Notify When Someone Dies: Free Printable Checklist

There is a long list of organisations to tell when someone dies, and it arrives at the worst possible time. This checklist puts it in one place, roughly in the order that makes sense, so nothing has to be held in your head.

Tick it off as you go, or print a blank copy to keep with the paperwork.

Start with the registrar

Registering the death is the first practical step, and it unlocks the rest. Two things are worth knowing before you go:

Order several certified copies of the death certificate. Banks, pension providers and insurers each want to see one, and many will not accept photocopies. Ordering four or five at the time is far cheaper and quicker than requesting them one at a time later.

Ask about Tell Us Once. In most of the UK the registrar can offer this free service, which notifies HMRC, the DWP, the DVLA, the Passport Office and the local council in a single step. It does not cover banks, pensions, insurers or utilities — those are the ones on the list you will need to do yourself.

The order that saves the most trouble

Government first, through Tell Us Once. Then anything that costs money or lapses: insurers, direct debits, subscriptions and utilities. Then banks, pensions and investments, which take longer and generally need the certificate. Probate last, once you know what the estate contains.

Keep a simple record as you go — organisation, date you contacted them, reference number, what they said. You will be asked to repeat yourself more than once, and a single sheet of paper saves a great deal of repetition on the phone.

About the money side

Accounts in the deceased's sole name are usually frozen until probate, though most banks will release funds for the funeral. Joint accounts normally pass to the surviving holder. If you need to establish what the estate is worth, our guides to doing probate yourself and valuing a house for probate cover the parts people find hardest, and the inheritance tax seven-year rule explains how gifts made before death are treated.

If the property is going to stand empty, tell the insurer — most policies restrict cover on unoccupied homes — and check whether a council tax exemption applies, because one usually does.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I need to notify when someone dies in the UK?

The registrar first, then government departments (usually via Tell Us Once), then banks, pension providers, insurers, utilities, the council, subscription services and the employer. The checklist above covers each group.

What is Tell Us Once?

A free government service, normally offered by the registrar, that notifies most government departments of a death in one go — HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office and the local council. It does not cover banks, pensions or private companies.

How many death certificates should I order?

Usually four or five. Banks, pension providers and insurers each want to see an original or certified copy, and ordering extra at registration costs less and takes less time than requesting them individually afterwards.

Do I need probate to close a bank account?

It depends on the amount. Many banks release smaller balances without probate, with limits varying by institution — ask each bank directly what their threshold is before assuming probate is needed.

General information only, not financial or legal advice. Checklists are a starting point — check anything that carries a deadline or a legal duty against your own circumstances.