What else needs to be done after someone dies
When someone dies, you usually need to tell several organisations. This page explains some of the things you may need to do. It does not cover every situation.
Who you should tell
When someone dies, you can use Tell Us Once to report their death to most government organisations.
You’ll also need to tell other services and organisations the person was involved with. This may include:
- their GP and any other health professionals involved in their care
- any hospital, day care centre or care home they attended
- any carers or care services who were helping them or who provided equipment
- their employer
- their landlord, if they rented their home and their name was on the lease
- their bank or building society
- other financial organisations, such as private pension providers or insurance companies
- utility companies, such as gas and electric
- mobile phone and internet providers
- a child’s school or teacher if their parent, brother or sister has died
Some organisations or companies may ask you to send them a copy of the person’s death certificate. You’ll get this when you register their death. You can order more copies if you need them.
Documents and services you should cancel
You may need to cancel or return the person’s:
- passport – find out what to do when the passport holder dies on GOV.UK
- driving licence – tell the DVLA on GOV.UK if you have not used Tell Us Once
- vehicle log book (V5C) for their car or other vehicle – you must tell the DVLA on GOV.UK if you’re keeping or selling the vehicle, even if you’ve used Tell Us Once
- Blue Badge – you’ll usually need to return this to the local council that issued it
- medicines – you can return any medicines issued by the NHS to a pharmacy to dispose of
- season tickets or membership cards for places like gyms, clubs or associations
- library books, or other items borrowed – you may need to pay any fines that are due
- social media accounts – you can either turn these into memorial accounts or close them
- other online accounts such as TV and music streaming services and app subscriptions
Sometimes you may need to return a document with a copy of the person’s death certificate or a letter or note to explain the circumstances. If you’re not sure what you need to do, contact the organisation that issued the document for advice.
You can find out more about what to do with digital devices and email and social media accounts on the Digital Legacy Association website.