Quick Reference Checklist
Soon after the death:
- Notify GP/Verify the death
- Promptly discuss any organ donation wishes with a medical practitioner
Shortly after the death:
- Obtain Medical Certificate of Cause of Death or contact Coroner’s Office to see when you may be able to register the death
- Consider using the services of a Funeral Director or how you will organise the funeral yourself
- Check if the person who has died had a will (which may contain instructions for the funeral)
In the days following the death:
- Register the death
- Notify benefits/pensions provider/tax office of the death ASAP to avoid overpayment of benefits
- Inform people of the death
- Tell family members and friends
- Employer or educational establishments
- Health professionals. You will also need to cancel any outstanding hospital, dental, podiatry or other health related appointments
- Agencies providing care such as social services, home carers, meals on wheels and day centres
- Banks / National Savings / building societies
- Insurance companies (e.g. life, buildings / contents, medical, car, travel)
- Pension providers
- Credit card/store card providers
- Any other financial institutions must be informed so that any accounts solely in the deceased’s name can be frozen to prevent fraud
- You should also inform companies /organisations with joint accounts, although these should normally still be accessible by the other joint holder
- Mortgage provider or if the deceased lived in rented accommodation, inform the local authority, housing association or private landlord
- Buildings and property insurance companies to ensure continued cover especially if the property is left unoccupied
- Utility companies (electricity, gas, water and telephone) and arrange transfer of account details if necessary
- TV/internet companies
- Pensions Service or Jobcentre Plus to cancel any benefits to the deceased or their carer
- Inland Revenue to deal with tax and Child Benefit payments (if applicable)
- Local government offices that provide services such as the Electoral Register, housing benefit, council tax office, bus pass, disabled parking permits, library membership
- The DVLA and the insurance company if the deceased owned a car or held a driving licence
- The Passport Agency
- Arrange redirection of post if necessary and reduce the burden of any unwanted mail by registering with the Bereavement Register
- Clubs / membership organisations/social groups.
In the weeks and months following the death:
- If there is no will, decide who will sort out the deceased’s estate and contact the Probate Registry to apply for a Grant of Administration
- Find out if probate is needed
- Gather any documents relating to financial affairs and property ownership
- Decide how to go about the probate process and whether to use a professional or undertake the administration yourself.
