A Guide to Reporting a Death to Different Organisations

Reporting a death to different organisations

Written by Eliza Elliott, Legacy Adviser at Octopus Legacy. Last updated: March 2026.

When someone dies, there's a long list of organisations that need to know. Banks, the council, HMRC, utility companies, pension providers, social media platforms — it can feel overwhelming at the worst possible time.

The good news is you don't have to contact every organisation individually. Services like Tell Us Once and Life Ledger can handle many notifications for you. And you don't have to do everything at once.

This guide breaks it down into manageable steps. We cover government departments, private companies, digital accounts, and what to prioritise first — with a full checklist you can work through at your own pace.

What to do first

Before you start notifying organisations, gather a few key documents. Having these ready will save you from repeating the same conversations.

You'll need:

• The death certificate or interim death certificate (you can order multiple copies when registering the death — most families order 5 to 10)
• The deceased's date of birth and date of death
• Their National Insurance number
• Their driving licence and passport numbers (if applicable)
• Details of any benefits or entitlements they were receiving (State Pension, Universal Credit, etc.)
• Bank, building society, and investment account details
• Any pension or insurance policy numbers
• A copy of the will, if there is one
• Name and contact details of the person dealing with the estate (often the executor)

Not all of these are needed for every organisation. But having them to hand speeds up the process significantly.

Reporting a death to government departments

The Tell Us Once service

Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to most government departments in one go. It's available in most areas of England, Wales, and Scotland. It saves you from contacting each department individually.

You can use Tell Us Once online, over the phone on 0800 085 7308, or with help from the registrar when you register the death. The registrar will give you a unique reference number to access the service.

You have 28 days from receiving your reference number to use it. The process takes around 15 to 20 minutes if you have your information ready.

Visit GOV.UK to use the Tell Us Once service.

What Tell Us Once covers

Tell Us Once notifies both central and local government departments on your behalf.

Central government:

Organisation	What they'll do
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)	Update personal tax records, Child Benefit, and Tax Credits
Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)	Stop benefits and State Pension payments
HM Passport Office	Cancel the passport
DVLA	Cancel the driving licence and update vehicle records
Civil Service Pensions	Stop pension payments and process any death benefits
NHS Pension Scheme	Stop pension payments and process any death benefits
Armed Forces Pension	Stop pension payments and process any death benefits
Scottish Pension schemes	Stop pension payments and process any death benefits
Veterans UK	Update Armed Forces pension and compensation records

Local government:

Service	What they'll do
Council Tax	Update or close the account, adjust any reduction or exemption
Housing Benefit	Stop payments
Blue Badge	Cancel the badge
Council housing services	Update tenancy records
Electoral register	Remove the deceased from the register
Local Authority Pension Schemes	Stop pension payments and process any death benefits (where the scheme participates in Tell Us Once)

What you'll need for Tell Us Once

Have these details ready before you start:

• The Tell Us Once unique reference number from the registrar
• The deceased's date of birth and date of death
• Their National Insurance number
• A copy of the death certificate or interim death certificate
• Passport number (if applicable)
• Driving licence number (if applicable)
• Details of benefits or entitlements they were receiving (State Pension, Veteran's Pension, Universal Credit, etc.)
• Any public sector or armed forces pension schemes they were paying into or receiving
• Which local council services they used (bus pass, Blue Badge, etc.)
• Name, address, phone number, and National Insurance number of their surviving spouse or civil partner — or next of kin, if the spouse or civil partner is unable to deal with affairs
• Name, address, and contact details of the person dealing with the estate (often the executor)

Important: Before sharing spouse, next of kin, or executor details with Tell Us Once, you must have their permission — provided they have capacity.

When Tell Us Once doesn't work

Tell Us Once doesn't cover every situation:

• Northern Ireland: The service isn't available. You'll need to contact each government department individually.
• Death overseas: If the person died outside the UK, you'll need to contact each central and local government department separately.
• Private companies: Tell Us Once only covers government. It doesn't notify banks, insurers, utility companies, mortgage providers, or private pensions.
• NHS and GP: Medical records and appointments aren't covered. Contact the GP surgery and any hospitals directly.
• Coroner's Office: Not included in Tell Us Once.

Tip: If you can't complete Tell Us Once within 28 days, contact the DWP's Bereavement Helpline on 0800 151 2012. This will stop State Pension and benefit payments. It avoids you having to repay any overpayments later.

Reporting a death to private companies

There's no single equivalent of Tell Us Once for private companies. But free services like Life Ledger can help. Life Ledger lets you notify over 1,000 UK companies from one place — including banks, insurers, pension providers, energy companies, and telecoms.

You upload your documents once, select the companies you need to contact, and track progress online. It's free, secure, and saves you from making dozens of difficult phone calls.

Notifying private companies serves two purposes. It stops any automatic payments or subscriptions. And it helps you work out the value of the deceased's assets and debts to build an accurate picture of the estate.

What you'll need for most private companies:

• Personal details of the person who died and any account details
• A copy or original of the death certificate
• A copy of the will (if there is one)

If you'd rather do it yourself, here's who you'll need to contact.

Financial institutions

These should be your first priority. Notifying banks and building societies freezes the accounts. This prevents unauthorised transactions and protects the estate.

Organisation type	What to do	What you'll need
Banks and building societies	Contact the bereavement team. Accounts will be frozen until probate is granted.	Death certificate, account details, Grant of Probate (when available)
National Savings & Investments	Contact NS&I to freeze accounts. This includes Premium Bonds — prizes can still be won until the holding is repaid or the estate is administered.	Death certificate, holder's number
Private and workplace pensions	Contact each pension provider. They'll process any death benefits or survivor payments.	Death certificate, policy number, beneficiary details
Savings and investments	Contact each provider to freeze accounts and arrange transfer or encashment.	Death certificate, account details, Grant of Probate
Life insurance	Contact the provider to start a claim. Policies written in trust may pay out without waiting for probate.	Death certificate, policy number
Mortgage provider or equity release company	Notify them immediately. They'll discuss options — the property doesn't have to be sold straight away.	Death certificate, mortgage/account number
Credit cards and store cards	Contact each provider to close the account. Outstanding balances become a debt against the estate.	Death certificate, card/account details
Loans and hire purchase	Notify the lender. Secured loans may need to be repaid from the estate or the asset returned.	Death certificate, loan agreement details

Insurance

Policy type	What to do
Home buildings insurance	Keep the policy active while the property is occupied or being administered. Some policies have clauses about unoccupied properties — check the terms.
Home contents insurance	Keep active until contents are distributed or the property is cleared.
Car insurance	Cancel the policy or transfer it. Notify the DVLA if the car is being kept off the road (SORN).
Medical / health insurance	Cancel the policy. Check if a refund is due for unused premiums.
Travel / holiday insurance	Cancel any annual policies. If death occurred during travel, check the policy for repatriation cover.
Pet insurance	Transfer to the new carer or cancel the policy.
Other specialist insurance	Cancel or transfer as appropriate (musical instruments, jewellery, business cover, etc.).

Household bills and services

Organisation type	What to do
Gas and electricity	Take a meter reading on the date of death. Transfer the account to the new bill payer or close it.
Water and drainage	Notify them and transfer or close the account.
Mobile phone	Contact the provider. Note: cancelling the contract may end access to their voicemail recordings. Consider saving these first if they're meaningful to you.
Landline phone	Transfer or cancel the account.
Broadband and internet	Contact the provider. Ask about bereavement policies — some waive early termination fees.
TV licence	Contact TV Licensing to cancel or transfer. You may be entitled to a refund for unused months.
Landlord or housing association	Notify them of the death. Check the tenancy agreement for what happens to the tenancy.

Employment, education, and professional bodies

• Employer or education provider — notify them as soon as possible. Ask about any final salary payments, death-in-service benefits, or outstanding leave.
• Professional associations or trade unions — cancel membership. Some offer a death benefit or funeral grant to members' families.
• Pre-paid funeral plan provider — contact them to activate the plan.

Medical and care services

• GP surgery — notify them so medical records can be updated. Cancel any pending appointments.
• Hospital — cancel any upcoming outpatient appointments.
• Dentist, optician, and other medical contacts — cancel appointments and close accounts.
• Care agencies (home carers, day centres) and social services — notify them to stop services.
• Return medical equipment — contact the loan provider (often the NHS or a charity) to arrange collection.
• Return unused medication — take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Don't throw medication in the bin.

If their property is now empty

If the deceased lived alone and their property is now unoccupied, there are a few things to do quickly:

• Remove valuables from the property if possible
• Contact the buildings and contents insurers to check the policy still covers an unoccupied property — some require notification within 30 days, and you may need to arrange a new policy
• Check whether the property is exempt from Council Tax while unoccupied and before probate is granted

Mail, subscriptions, and memberships

Set up mail redirection. Royal Mail can redirect post from the deceased's address. This helps you catch any accounts or debts you didn't know about.

Stop junk mail. Register the deceased with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to stop addressed advertising mail. This also helps prevent identity theft — a real risk after someone dies.

Cancel or close any recurring payments. Check bank statements for direct debits you might not know about. Common ones include:

• Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Amazon Prime)
• Gym memberships and clubs
• Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
• Online shopping subscriptions
• Buy now, pay later accounts (Klarna, Clearpay)
• Loyalty cards and reward schemes
• Breakdown cover (AA, RAC)
• Charity donations by direct debit
• Faith organisations and places of worship

Reporting a death to digital and online accounts

Digital accounts are one of the most overlooked areas of estate administration. The average UK adult has over 100 online accounts. Many will need to be closed, memorialised, or transferred after death.

The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, which came into force in December 2025, now recognises digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs as personal property in England and Wales. They can be inherited, included in a will, and their theft can be legally pursued.

Social media accounts

Each platform has its own process:

Platform	Options	How to request
Facebook / Instagram	Memorialise the account (shows "Remembering" next to name) or delete it. A Legacy Contact can manage a memorialised account.	Submit a memorialisation or removal request through Meta's Help Centre with proof of death.
X (formerly Twitter)	Deactivate the account.	Contact X support with the death certificate and proof of relationship.
LinkedIn	Remove the profile.	Submit a request through LinkedIn's Help Centre with the deceased's name, profile URL, and your relationship.
TikTok	Delete the account.	Contact TikTok support with the death certificate.

Email and cloud accounts

Service	What happens
Google (Gmail, Drive, Photos)	Google's Inactive Account Manager lets users choose what happens after a set period of inactivity. If not set up, a next of kin can request access or account closure through Google's support with a death certificate.
Apple (iCloud, Apple ID)	Apple's Digital Legacy programme lets users add a Legacy Contact who can access iCloud data after death using an access key and death certificate. Without a Legacy Contact, you'll need a court order.
Microsoft (Outlook, OneDrive)	Microsoft's Next of Kin process allows account closure. Submit a death certificate and proof of relationship.

Cryptocurrency and digital assets

Since the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, crypto assets are legally recognised as property. If the deceased held Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrency, these form part of the estate.

The challenge is access. Without passwords, seed phrases, or private keys, crypto wallets may be permanently inaccessible. This is why it's important to include digital assets in your will and store access details securely.

If the deceased used a UK-based exchange (like Coinbase or Kraken), the executor can contact them with a death certificate and Grant of Probate to request access.

Your full notification checklist

Here's every organisation type you may need to notify. You won't need all of these — it depends on the deceased's circumstances. Work through it at your own pace.

Category	Organisation	How to notify	Done
Government (Tell Us Once)	HMRC	Tell Us Once	☐
	DWP (benefits, State Pension)	Tell Us Once	☐
	Local council (Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Blue Badge, electoral register)	Tell Us Once	☐
	DVLA	Tell Us Once	☐
	Passport Office	Tell Us Once	☐
	Public sector pensions (Civil Service, NHS, Armed Forces, Local Authority)	Tell Us Once	☐
	Veterans UK	Tell Us Once	☐
	GP surgery and hospital appointments	Contact directly	☐
	Other medical contacts (dentist, optician, etc.)	Contact directly	☐
Financial	Banks and building societies	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	National Savings & Investments (including Premium Bonds)	Contact directly	☐
	Private and workplace pensions	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Savings and investments	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Life insurance	Contact directly	☐
	Mortgage provider or equity release company	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Credit cards and store cards	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Loans and hire purchase	Contact directly	☐
	Pre-paid funeral plan provider	Contact directly	☐
Insurance	Home buildings insurance	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Home contents insurance	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Car insurance	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Medical / health insurance	Contact directly	☐
	Travel / holiday insurance	Contact directly	☐
	Pet insurance	Contact directly	☐
	Other specialist insurance	Contact directly	☐
Employment & professional	Employer or education provider	Contact directly	☐
	Professional association or trade union	Contact directly	☐
	Care agencies and social services	Contact directly	☐
	Legal services (probation, prison, UK Border Agency)	Contact directly	☐
Property	Landlord or housing association	Contact directly	☐
	Property insurer (if property is now unoccupied)	Contact directly	☐
	Remove valuables from empty property	—	☐
Household	Electricity provider	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Gas provider	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Water and drainage provider	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Mobile phone provider (note: may end voicemail access)	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Landline phone provider	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	Broadband and internet provider	Life Ledger or contact directly	☐
	TV licence	Contact directly	☐
	TV and streaming services	Cancel via account or contact provider	☐
Medical	Return medical equipment (NHS or charity)	Contact provider to arrange collection	☐
	Return unused medication to a pharmacy	Take to any pharmacy for safe disposal	☐
	Hospital appointments	Contact directly to cancel	☐
	Dentist, optician, and other medical contacts	Contact directly	☐
Mail & subscriptions	Royal Mail — set up mail redirection	Apply online or at Post Office	☐
	Mailing Preference Service — stop junk mail (prevents identity theft)	Register online at mpsonline.org.uk	☐
	Subscriptions (magazines, online shopping, buy now pay later)	Cancel via account or contact provider	☐
	Clubs, memberships, and loyalty cards	Contact directly	☐
	Faith organisation or place of worship	Contact directly	☐
Digital	Social media accounts	Contact each platform	☐
	Email accounts	Contact each provider	☐
	Online accounts and passwords	Close via account settings or contact provider	☐
	Cryptocurrency and digital assets	Contact exchange or access wallet directly	☐

How long does all this take?

There's no single deadline for notifying every organisation. Here's a rough guide to what's time-sensitive and what can wait.

Timeframe	What to prioritise
Within 5 days	Register the death. Get the Tell Us Once reference number.
Within 28 days	Complete Tell Us Once. Notify banks to freeze accounts. Contact the mortgage provider and employer.
Within 1–2 months	Notify utility companies. Cancel or update insurance policies. Contact pension providers. Set up mail redirection. Return medical equipment and medication.
When you're ready	Close social media accounts. Cancel subscriptions. Deal with digital assets and email accounts.

Don't feel you have to rush. Some of these accounts hold memories — a voicemail message, their Spotify playlists, messages on social media. It's okay to take your time with those.

Tips for making it easier

Order extra death certificates. Most organisations need to see an original or certified copy. Order 5 to 10 when registering the death — they cost £12.50 each. Running out means delays.

Use Life Ledger for private companies. It's free, covers over 1,000 companies, and tracks your progress. It saves you from repeating the same difficult conversation over and over. Visit lifeledger.com to get started.

Check bank statements for direct debits. This is the quickest way to find accounts and subscriptions you didn't know about. Look at the last 12 months of statements.

Keep a log of who you've contacted. Note the date, who you spoke to, what they said, and any reference numbers. This protects you if there are disputes later.

Ask for bereavement teams. Many banks, insurers, and utility companies have dedicated bereavement teams. They're trained to handle these calls with care and can often fast-track the process.

Don't miss the DWP deadline. If you can't complete Tell Us Once within 28 days, call the DWP Bereavement Helpline on 0800 151 2012 to stop pension and benefit payments before they become overpayments.

You don't have to do this alone. If someone has been appointed as executor, this is part of their role during estate administration. If you need professional support, Octopus Legacy's probate service can help manage the whole process.

What is the Tell Us Once service?

Tell Us Once is a free UK government service that lets you report a death to most government departments in one go. This includes HMRC, DWP, the Passport Office, DVLA, local council, and public sector pensions. You can use it online, by phone on 0800 085 7308, or with help from the registrar. You have 28 days to use it after getting your reference number.

What documents do I need for Tell Us Once?

You'll need the reference number from the registrar, the deceased's date of birth and death, National Insurance number, and a death certificate. Also have passport and driving licence numbers, details of benefits they received, pension information, and local council services used. You'll need contact details for the surviving spouse or next of kin, and the executor. Get their permission before sharing their details.

How do I report a death to a bank in the UK?

Contact the bank's bereavement team with a death certificate and account details. The account will be frozen until probate is granted. Most major banks have dedicated bereavement teams. You can also use the free Life Ledger service to notify multiple banks at once.

What happens to social media accounts when someone dies?

Each platform has its own process. Facebook and Instagram can be memorialised (showing "Remembering" next to the name) or deleted. X (formerly Twitter) accounts can be deactivated. LinkedIn profiles can be removed. You'll need a death certificate and proof of your relationship.

How many death certificates do I need to order?

Most families order 5 to 10 copies. Each costs £12.50. Many organisations need an original or certified copy. Having multiple copies means you can notify several organisations at the same time.

What happens if I miss the 28-day Tell Us Once deadline?

Call the DWP Bereavement Helpline on 0800 151 2012. This stops State Pension and benefit payments. It prevents overpayments you'd have to repay later. You'll then need to contact other government departments individually.

What is Life Ledger and how does it work?

Life Ledger is a free death notification service covering over 1,000 UK companies. You upload your documents once, select the companies, and track progress online. It covers banks, insurers, pensions, energy companies, telecoms, and more. Visit lifeledger.com to get started.

What happens to cryptocurrency when someone dies in the UK?

Since the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, crypto is legally recognised as personal property. It forms part of the estate and can be inherited. If the deceased used a UK exchange, the executor can contact them with a death certificate and Grant of Probate. Without passwords or private keys, wallets may be permanently inaccessible.