Death notification
Navigating the process of notifying individuals and organisations after a death can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance and support, it can be managed effectively. Our guide aims to provide you with some of the services available to help you navigate the necessary steps with compassion and confidence. Remember, you're not alone, and support is available every step of the way.
A Guide to Notifying Organisations After a Death
When someone dies, there are many practical tasks that need to be completed alongside coping with your loss. One of these is notifying the organisations they dealt with during their lifetime, from banks and utility providers to government departments and pension providers.
Although this can seem like a daunting task, there are services available to make the process much simpler. Understanding which organisations need to be informed and how they can be notified can save you time and reduce the number of difficult conversations you need to have.
Who Needs to Be Told?
Every person’s circumstances are different, but you may need to notify organisations such as:
Banks and building societies
Credit card and loan providers
Insurance companies
Mortgage providers
Utility companies
Mobile phone and broadband providers
Pension providers
Government departments
Local authorities
Housing associations or landlords
Some organisations can be notified individually, while others can be informed through dedicated notification services.
Notifying Private Organisations
Many private companies now accept notifications through NotifyNOW, a secure online service provided by The Estate Registry.
Funeral Experts has partnered with NotifyNOW to help make this process as straightforward as possible. Rather than contacting each organisation separately, NotifyNOW allows you to submit one secure notification which is then shared with the organisations you choose.
Depending on the organisations selected, this may include banks, building societies, insurers, utility providers and other participating companies.
You can find out more or submit a notification by visiting:
If you need assistance using the service, the NotifyNOW team can be contacted on 0333 111 1147 or by email at support@notifynow.uk.
Notifying Government Departments
Private organisations and government departments use different notification systems.
Once a death has been registered, you may be offered the Tell Us Once service, which enables you to notify several government departments through a single notification.
Depending on your circumstances, Tell Us Once can notify organisations including:
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Passport Office
Your local authority
Social Security Scotland (where applicable)
Certain public sector pension schemes
Your registrar will normally provide a unique Tell Us Once reference number after the death has been registered if the service is available in your area.
Why Prompt Notification Matters
Informing organisations promptly helps ensure records are updated correctly and can prevent unnecessary correspondence, payments or benefit overpayments.
In some cases, delaying notification could result in organisations continuing to make payments which may later need to be repaid by the estate.
If you’re unsure whether an organisation should be informed straight away, it’s often better to seek advice before taking action.
We’re Here to Help
We understand that dealing with paperwork and administration is often the last thing you want to think about after losing someone close.
If you’re unsure who needs to be notified, need help understanding the process, or would like guidance on benefits, pensions or other bereavement matters, Funeral Experts is here to help.
We can explain the different notification services available, direct you to NotifyNOW where appropriate, and provide practical guidance on the next steps following a bereavement.
If you’d like to speak with one of our advisers, please contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.