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Who to Notify When Someone Dies: A Complete UK Checklist
When someone dies, a surprising number of organisations need to be told — from government departments to banks, pension providers, and utility companies. It can feel like a long list, but much of it can be handled efficiently, and some of it in a single step. This guide explains who to contact, what can be done all at once, and how to work through the rest at a manageable pace
What is 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, rather than contacting each separately. When you register the death, the registrar will usually give you a unique Tell Us Once reference number and explain how to use it, either online or by phone.
In a single notification, Tell Us Once can inform HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Passport Office, the DVLA, the local council, and certain public sector pension schemes. It saves a great deal of repeated phone calls and paperwork at a difficult time.
Tell Us Once is available in England, Scotland, and Wales. It isn't currently available in Northern Ireland, where you notify departments individually.
How do I notify HMRC when someone dies?
If you use Tell Us Once, HMRC is notified automatically, and they will contact you about any tax matters, including whether a final tax return is needed or whether tax was overpaid or underpaid.
If Tell Us Once isn't available to you, you can notify HMRC directly. HMRC will then review the deceased's income tax and may issue a refund to the estate or request payment of any tax due. Separately, if the estate is large enough to involve inheritance tax, that's dealt with through the probate process.
Who else needs to be told?
Beyond government departments, you'll need to contact private organisations individually. It helps to work through them in groups.
Banks and financial providers
Banks, building societies, pension providers, insurers, and investment companies. Many UK banks now use a shared Death Notification Service that lets you tell several banks at once online. Each will ask for a certified copy of the death certificate.
Utilities and home services
Gas, electricity, water, broadband, phone, and TV providers. If a property is being kept on, accounts may need transferring; if it's being closed up, services can be paused or ended.
Subscriptions and memberships
Streaming services, gym memberships, magazines, clubs, charities receiving regular donations, and any other recurring payments.
Other important contacts
The deceased's employer or pension scheme, their GP and any hospital appointments, the Royal Mail (to redirect or stop post), and any council services such as the Blue Badge scheme or bus pass.
How do I cancel direct debits and subscriptions after a death?
Direct debits are linked to the deceased's bank account, so once you notify the bank of the death, the account is usually frozen and direct debits and standing orders are stopped automatically. However, it's still worth identifying regular payments yourself — by checking recent bank statements — so you know what was being paid and can formally close subscriptions and request any refunds.
For subscriptions tied to a card rather than a direct debit, you'll generally need to contact each provider directly. Most have a bereavement process and will cancel from the date of death, sometimes refunding unused amounts.
In what order should I do all this?
There's no single correct order, but a sensible approach is: use Tell Us Once first (it clears most government departments at once), then notify the banks (which stops most direct debits), then work through utilities, subscriptions, and other contacts as you find them in the person's paperwork and statements. Spread it over days or weeks — it doesn't have to be done immediately.
What to do next
As you notify organisations, you'll often be dealing with the estate at the same time — see our guide on the executor's duties. If a property is involved, our property guide covers utilities and council tax.
Notifying the right people is one task among many in the days after a loss. Our full guide to what to do when someone dies covers everything else you’ll need to handle.
You don't have to go through this alone
Keeping track of who's been told and who still needs to know is one of the most tedious parts of bereavement admin. First48hrs can give you a personalised checklist based on the person's circumstances, so nothing important gets missed. Answer a few questions to get started — it's free.
This guide was last updated in July 2026. Processes and figures are set by government and can change — for the latest official guidance, see GOV.UK. First48hrs provides information and signposting, not legal or financial advice.
If you're struggling to cope, you don't have to manage alone — your GP, NHS 111, and the Samaritans (116 123, free, day or night) are there to help.
Who to Notify - FAQ's
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