Who to notify when someone dies
There are so many organisations to contact. We've put together individual guides for each one — exactly who to call, what documents you'll need, and what to expect.
When you're managing the practicalities after a death, the list of organisations to contact can feel endless. This guide gives you an overview of who to prioritise, what to have ready, and what to expect — so you can work through it in a manageable order rather than all at once.
If you want a personalised checklist, try our who do I need to notify? tool. Select the services the person had and get a tailored list with phone numbers and documents needed.
Who to notify first
The most time-sensitive steps come in the first few days. After that, most notifications can be spread across the following weeks.
| Who to notify | When | What they need |
|---|---|---|
| The GP or doctor | Immediately | They issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which you need to register the death |
| The registrar | Within 5 days (England & Wales); 8 days (Scotland) | Medical certificate, plus your own ID. You'll receive death certificates here — order several originals |
| The employer (if still working) | As soon as possible | Death certificate. Ask about any final pay, pension, or death-in-service benefit |
| Banks and building societies | Within the first week or two | Death certificate, account details. Joint accounts continue; sole accounts are frozen pending probate or a small estates process |
| HMRC and DWP | As soon as possible | Use Tell Us Once to notify multiple departments in one go (see below) |
| Utilities and telecoms | Within a few weeks | Account number, death certificate. Ask for a final bill in the deceased's name — you're not liable for the debt as an heir unless you co-signed the contract |
| Insurance providers | Within a few weeks | Policy number, death certificate. Life insurance claims usually need a completed claim form too |
In England and Wales, you must register the death with the local register office within 5 days. Scotland allows 8 days. Gov.uk has full guidance on registering a death, including which documents you need and how to find your nearest office.
Tell Us Once — notify the government in one go
Tell Us Once is a free government service that lets you report a death to multiple government departments and local council services in a single step. When you register the death, the registrar will give you a reference number to use it. Our full Tell Us Once guide covers which organisations it notifies, what information you need, and what it does not cover.
It can notify HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Passport Office, the DVLA, and the local council all at once. This stops pension payments, benefit payments, and council tax credits being paid in error — and avoids the headache of recovering overpayments later. Use it.
What you'll need for every notification
Most organisations will ask for broadly the same things. Getting these together before you start calling saves time.
- Death certificates — order several originals. Banks, insurers, pension providers, and solicitors typically require an original (certified) copy each. Photocopies are usually not accepted. You can order additional copies from the register office at the time of registration, or from the General Register Office later. Expect to need at least five for a straightforward estate.
- Account numbers and policy numbers. Check recent statements and letters — utility providers and insurers particularly need these to trace the account.
- Your own ID and your relationship to the deceased. Most organisations will want to know who they're speaking to and your authority to act. A passport or driving licence is usually enough at this stage.
- Probate or letters of administration, for high-value accounts. If the estate is going through probate, banks with larger balances (typically above £15,000–£50,000, though thresholds vary) will usually wait to release funds until they see the grant of representation. The individual company guides below list thresholds where known.
How long to expect
The timeline varies considerably by organisation type:
- Banks and building societies (such as Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, and HSBC) typically freeze sole accounts when notified, then release funds once probate is granted — or directly for smaller estates under their small estates limit. This process can take weeks to months depending on the estate's complexity.
- Utilities such as British Gas will issue a final bill and close the account. The remaining balance or credit belongs to the estate. If you're taking over the property, set up a new account in your own name — don't inherit the deceased's tariff.
- Telecoms providers such as BT, Sky, and Virgin Media usually close or transfer accounts within a few weeks. Mobile contracts with providers like O2 or Vodafone are typically cancelled with any outstanding balance treated as an estate debt — not a personal liability of family members.
- Life insurance claims can take 2–8 weeks once the insurer receives a completed claim form and death certificate.
- Pension providers will stop payments immediately and assess whether a dependant's pension or lump sum is payable. This can take several months.
Bereavement support and benefits
If the person who died was your spouse or civil partner, you may be entitled to bereavement support payment — a tax-free lump sum and monthly payments for up to 18 months. Eligibility depends on National Insurance contributions. You must claim within 3 months to get the full amount. Tell Us Once will prompt DWP, but you'll still need to make a separate claim for bereavement support payment through gov.uk.
The individual company guides below walk through each notification in detail — who to contact, what to say, and what to expect in return.
Banks & building societies
Bank of Scotland
Bank0800 161 5904
2–4 weeks for simple cases; 9–12 months for full estate administration
Barclaycard
Bank0800 068 2238
Account frozen immediately on notification; full closure typically 4–8 weeks
Barclays
Bank0800 068 2238
2–4 weeks
Chase UK
Bank0800 376 3333
10 working days (Death Notification Service route)
Co-op Bank
Bank03457 212 212
2–4 weeks for straightforward cases; longer if probate is required
Coventry Building Society
Bank0800 587 4565
Allow 5–10 working days to receive CBS's letter with next steps; joint accounts transferred quickly on receipt of death certificate; sole account closure weeks to months depending on whether probate is required
First Direct
Bank0113 276 6669
From 10 working days (simple cases)
Halifax
Bank0800 015 0012
Joint accounts updated within days; estate administration typically 9–12 months
HSBC
Bank0800 085 1992
2 weeks (simple cases without probate)
Leeds Building Society
Bank03452 682 642
Joint accounts transferred within days of death certificate; sole account closure weeks to months depending on whether probate is required
Lloyds Bank
Bank0800 015 0012
Probate processing 8–16 weeks; full estate administration 9–12 months
MBNA
Bank0800 028 0691
Account frozen on notification; full closure typically 4–8 weeks once documents received
Metro Bank
Bank0203 824 4815
Typically 2–6 weeks once all documents are received; longer if probate is required
Monzo
Bank0800 802 1281
5 working days (once all documents received)
Nationwide
Bank0800 464 3018
Letter within 10 working days; account closure weeks to months depending on complexity
NatWest
Bank0800 161 5903
Funeral payments 3–5 working days; full estate settlement typically weeks to months depending on complexity
Revolut
BankContact via bereavement@revolut.com (email only)
Revolut aims to respond within 15 days of receiving notification
Santander
Bank0800 587 5870
Response within 10 working days; funeral payments within 5 working days of invoice
Skipton Building Society
Bank0345 266 1209
Skipton writes to the personal representative after initial notification with account balances and next steps; joint accounts transferred within days of death certificate; sole account closure weeks to months depending on estate complexity
Starling Bank
Bank020 7930 4450
Within 2 working days (once all documents received)
Tesco Bank
Bank0345 071 6153
2–4 weeks
TSB
Bank0345 835 7834
Funds typically released within 10–15 working days of receiving all documents; 2–4 weeks for the full process
Vanquis Bank
Bank0330 099 3000
Account frozen on notification; full closure typically 4–8 weeks depending on estate complexity
Virgin Money
Bank0800 012 1590
5–10 working days for straightforward cases
Wise
BankYorkshire Building Society
Bank0345 166 9229
Joint accounts transferred quickly on receipt of death certificate; sole account closure weeks to months depending on probate
Zopa
Bank020 7580 6060
Varies – no published timeframe; collections on loans pause immediately, savings account changes proceed once probate documents are received
Utilities
Affinity Water
Utility0345 359 5929
1-3 weeks
Anglian Water
Utility0800 141 2944
72-hour acknowledgement; final bill within 1–3 weeks
British Gas
Utility0800 294 3125
4–8 weeks for final bill; credit refunds typically issued within 10 working days of account closure
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Utility0800 052 0145
1–3 weeks for final bill
E.ON Next
Utility0808 501 5035
Account flagged immediately; final bill typically within a few weeks of submitting documents
EDF Energy
Utility03330 069 950
1–3 weeks for final bill
Northumbrian Water
Utility0800 090 2422
Up to 10 working days
Octopus Energy
Utility0808 164 1088
Final bill typically issued within 4–6 weeks
OVO Energy
Utility0330 175 9683
Final bill within 6 weeks of account closure; credit refund typically within 2–4 weeks
Scottish Power
Utility0800 074 1986
1–3 weeks to process notification; credit refund within 10 working days of final bill
Severn Trent Water
Utility0800 783 4444
2–3 weeks for final bill
Shell Energy
Utility0808 164 1088
Final bill typically issued within 4–6 weeks
South East Water
Utility0333 000 0001
2-4 weeks
South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water
Utility0345 60 70 456
1-4 weeks
South West Water
Utility0344 346 1010
1–3 weeks
Southern Water
Utility0330 303 0368
2–4 weeks
Thames Water
Utility0800 009 4976
1–3 weeks for final bill
United Utilities
Utility0800 912 7249
1–2 weeks
Utility Warehouse
Utility0333 005 8356
Final bill issued the month after meter readings and documents are received
Water companies
Utility1-2 weeks
Water companies
Utility2-4 weeks
Wessex Water
Utility0345 600 3600
2–4 weeks
Yorkshire Water
Utility0345 1 24 24 24
1–3 weeks
Telecoms & broadband
BT
Telecom0800 169 1663
1–2 weeks for straightforward closures
EE
Telecom07973 100 150
A few working days for straightforward closures
giffgaff
Telecom1-2 weeks
iD Mobile
TelecomBilling paused within days of notification; account disconnected once the death certificate is received
Lebara
Telecom0207 031 0791
Account closure is normally quick once the bereavement team has the death certificate; exact timescale not published
O2
Telecom0800 090 1820
Within 7 working days for disconnection; up to 14 days to clear balance
Plusnet
Telecom0330 1239 123
1–3 weeks for straightforward closures
Sky
Telecom0333 202 0912
Typically 1–2 weeks for straightforward closures
SMARTY
TelecomSMARTY aims to respond to the initial email within one working day
TalkTalk
Telecom0345 172 0038
1–2 weeks for straightforward closures
Three
Telecom0333 338 1001
Within 5 working days (account closure); within 48 hours (transfers)
Virgin Media
Telecom0800 952 2302
7 days for account transfer or disconnection
Vodafone
Telecom0808 005 7450
Within 5 working days
Insurance
Admiral
Insurance0333 220 2000
Policy cancellation confirmed promptly on notification. Premium refunds typically 3–8 weeks after documentation received.
Aviva
Insurance0800 015 1142
Life insurance: as fast as five working days once claim approved. Pensions and investments: varies by complexity.
Aviva
Insurance0800 015 1142
AXA
Insurance0330 024 1158
General insurance (car, home, travel): cancellation confirmed promptly; refunds typically within a few weeks. Life insurance claims: varies by complexity once documents received.
BUPA
Insurance0345 609 0111
5–10 working days
Canada Life
InsuranceGroup life insurance claims: within five working days of claim approval. Annuities and pensions: varies by product and complexity.
Churchill
Insurance0345 605 9150
Policy cancellation confirmed promptly on notification. Premium refunds typically within 30 days of documentation received.
Direct Line
Insurance0345 605 9163
Car and home insurance: typically 3–8 weeks for refund processing. Cancellation confirmed promptly on notification.
esure
Insurance0345 609 8971
Policy cancellation confirmed within a few working days of notification. Premium refunds typically 2–4 weeks after documentation received.
Green Flag
Insurance0345 246 1558
1-2 weeks
Hastings Direct
Insurance0333 321 9801
Hastings Direct responds within 3 business working days of notification. Policy cancellation confirmed on acknowledgement.
Legal & General
Insurance0800 137 101
Life insurance: L&G aim to pay as soon as possible – straightforward claims can be fast once all documents received. Pensions and annuities: varies by product and complexity.
LV=
InsuranceLife insurance: varies – straightforward claims can be settled within days once documents received. General insurance policies: typically cancelled promptly, with any refund processed within a few weeks.
MoreThan
Insurance0330 100 7823
Bereavement form processed within a few working days. Cancellation confirmed on contact; pro-rata refunds typically follow within 10-15 working days once documentation is received.
NFU Mutual
Insurance0800 072 5569
General insurance: prompt cancellation or transfer on notification. Life insurance claims: varies by policy administrator – contact NFU Mutual directly for current timelines.
Prudential
Insurance0800 000 000
4–8 weeks once all required documents received; payments typically issued within 3–5 working days of a decision
Royal London
Insurance0345 646 2094
Royal London aim to make first contact within 5 working days of receiving an online notification. Full claim timescales vary by product and complexity.
Royal London
Insurance0345 646 2112
4–8 weeks
SAGA
Insurance0800 092 3816
Policy cancellation confirmed on notification. Premium refunds and further steps confirmed in follow-up by phone or email.
Scottish Widows
Insurance0345 601 4179
4–8 weeks once all documents received
Scottish Widows
Insurance0345 601 4179
Sheilas' Wheels
Insurance0345 045 2000
5-10 working days
Standard Life
Insurance0345 606 0095
4–8 weeks once all required documents received
Sun Life
Insurance0800 008 6060
Straightforward claims: a few working days once all documents are received. Policies not written in trust: timeline depends on probate, which typically takes 16+ weeks.
Vitality
Insurance0345 601 0072
Straightforward life insurance claims: typically two to four weeks from receipt of all required documents. Policies written in trust may be faster as probate is not required.
Zurich
Insurance0370 243 0827
Timescales vary by product and whether probate is required. Zurich advise that providing full information upfront helps them assess the claim as quickly as possible.
Government & council
Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Government0800 085 3600
Pension payments usually stop within 2 weeks of notification; death benefit claims typically settled within 8–12 weeks once all documents received; AFCS claims often longer
Civil Service Pension Scheme
Government0300 123 6666
4–8 weeks once all documents are received; complex cases longer
Local Council
Governmentvaries by council
1-4 weeks for account updates; refunds may take longer
Council Tax Scotland
Government2-4 weeks
DVLA
Government0300 083 0090
Varies – DVLA processes V5C transfers within a few weeks
Department for Work and Pensions
Government0800 151 2012
Varies by benefit
NHS
GovernmentContact your local GP surgery directly
Immediate for GP; 2–4 weeks for NHS systems
HMRC
Government0300 322 9620
Varies – simple estates a few months; self-assessment or IHT can take considerably longer
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Government6–12 weeks once all documents received; complex cases longer
NHS Pensions
Government0345 121 2522
Lump sum typically paid within 2 months once all documents received; survivor's pension within 6–8 weeks
NS&I
Government08085 007 007
Currently 8 weeks (backlog as of 2026)
HM Passport Office
Government0300 222 0000
2–4 weeks to process a bereavement notification
Pension Tracing Service
Government0800 731 0175
Contact details are returned immediately online; you then contact the scheme administrator directly to begin the claim
Police Pension Scheme
Government4–8 weeks once all documents are received; complex cases longer
The Pension Service
Government0800 731 0469
State Pension payments stop on the date of death; overpayment letters typically arrive within 4–8 weeks; inherited entitlement decisions take 6–12 weeks
Teachers' Pension Scheme
Government0345 606 6166
4–8 weeks once all documents are received; complex cases longer
Transport for London (TfL)
Government0343 222 1234
Varies by product – call TfL on 0343 222 1234 to initiate refund claims
Other services
AA
Other0343 316 4444
Records updated and contact made within 5 working days of notification. Premium refunds typically 1–2 weeks after documentation received.
Aegon
Other03456 100 010
4–8 weeks, depending on product type and complexity
Airbnb
Other+44 203 318 1111
AJ Bell
Other0161 605 0326
4–8 weeks from receipt of all required documents; SIPP distributions may take longer while AJ Bell's trustees review the nomination
Alzheimer's Society
Other0330 333 0804
A few working days to stop a regular donation and update supporter records; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
Amazon
Other0800 279 7234
Typically 1–2 weeks (no official SLA)
Ambrose Wilson
Other0800 072 2970
2-4 weeks
American Express
Other0800 917 8020
American Express aims to contact you by email or letter within two weeks of receiving all documents.
Apple
Other0800 107 6285
2–4 weeks (Digital Legacy); several months (court order route)
Argos
Other03456 400 700
Asda
Other0800 952 0101
1–3 weeks
ASOS
Other2-4 weeks
B&Q
Other0333 014 3098
1–4 weeks depending on complexity
Bet365
OtherUp to 6 weeks
Betfair
Other0344 871 0000
Up to 6 weeks
Booking.com
Othervaries
Boots
Other0345 070 8090
1–3 weeks
British Airways
Other0344 493 0747
Avios transfer typically 7 days after documents submitted
British Heart Foundation
Other0300 330 3322
A few working days to stop a regular donation and future mailings; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
Cancer Research UK
Other0300 123 1022
Direct debit and contact are stopped within a few working days of the bereavement form being submitted
Capital One
Other03444 812 812
Account frozen on notification; full closure typically 4–8 weeks depending on estate complexity
Clearpay
OtherCo-op
Other0800 023 4708
2-4 weeks
Coral
Other0800 169 0299
Costa Coffee
Other0333 003 5883
Credit Reference Agencies
Other2-4 weeks
Currys
Other0344 561 0000
1–4 weeks depending on complexity
Deliveroo
Other5-10 working days
Depop
OtherDFS
Other0800 110 5000
2–6 weeks depending on whether finance is involved
Disney+
OtherImmediate (with login) or 1–5 business days (via support)
DPD
Other0121 275 0500
Account closure typically handled within one month of a written data erasure request
Dunelm
Other0344 346 0020
2-4 weeks
easyJet
Other0330 551 5151
Within 7 days of submitting documentation
eBay
OtherUp to 60 days if transactions in the previous 30 days
English Heritage
Other0370 333 1181
Etsy
OtherVaries – simple buyer account closure is straightforward; seller accounts with balances or open orders take longer
Evri
OtherVaries – memorialisation typically within a few days; removal may take longer
Fidelity International
Other0800 41 41 16
4–8 weeks from receipt of all required documents; SIPP distributions may take longer while Fidelity's trustees review the nomination
Several weeks (Google reviews each case individually)
Guide Dogs
Other0800 953 0113
A few working days to stop a regular donation and update supporter records; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
H&M
Other0344 736 9000
1–3 weeks
Halfords
Other0330 135 9779
Hargreaves Lansdown
Other0117 906 7806
4–8 weeks from receipt of all required documents; pension distributions may take longer as the HL Trustees Committee must review nominations
IKEA
Other01733 520006
Memorialisation typically within a few days; removal timelines vary
Interactive Investor
Other0345 607 6001
3–6 weeks from receipt of all required documents; SIPP distributions may take longer while ii's trustees review the nomination
Jacamo
Other0800 072 2970
2-4 weeks
JD Sports
Other0161 393 7055
JD Williams
Other0345 071 9018
Jet2
Other0800 408 0778
Refunds for cancelled packages typically processed within 14 days of cancellation confirmation; travel insurance claims take 10–28 working days from receipt of full documentation
John Lewis
Other0330 175 9829
2–6 weeks depending on complexity
Just Eat
Other0345 561 0156
3-5 working days for account closure
Klarna
Other0808 189 3333
Klarna aims to respond within 3 working days of receiving all documents. Full closure can take from a few days to several months depending on outstanding balances.
Ladbrokes
Other0800 777 888
Legal & General
Other0345 070 8686
1-4 weeks
Macmillan Cancer Support
Other0300 1000 200
A few working days to stop a regular donation and update supporter records; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
Marie Curie
Other0800 716 146
A few working days to stop a regular donation and update supporter records; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
Marks & Spencer
Other0345 900 0900
1–4 weeks depending on complexity
McDonald's
Other1-2 weeks
Microsoft
Other4–6 weeks for account closure; several months via court order if seeking data access
Mind
Other0208 215 2243
A few working days to stop a regular donation and update supporter records; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
Morrisons
Other0345 611 6111
1–2 weeks
National Lottery
Other0333 234 4433
National Trust
Other0344 800 1895
Allow 2–4 weeks for the account to be closed and any correspondence to cease
NEST
Other0300 020 1410
Claims are usually settled within 20–30 working days of NEST receiving all required information
Netflix
Other0800 096 6379
Immediate (online) or same session (via support)
Next
Other0333 777 4500
Timescale varies – Next will contact you after notification. Simple cases may resolve in days; nextpay balance settlement typically requires probate first.
Nintendo
Other2–6 weeks
NOW: Pensions
Other0333 091 8612
Up to two months for payment; NOW: Pensions states verification can take 2–3 weeks
Now TV
Other03303 323 050
Varies – account closure can often be arranged in one call
Ocado
Other0345 656 1234
1-2 weeks
PayPal
Other0800 358 7911
3–5 weeks (simple closures 2–3 weeks)
PensionBee
Other020 3457 8444
Varies – typically several weeks from receipt of all documents while a Compliance Manager reviews the claim; pension death benefit cases can take longer
The People's Pension
Other0300 2000 555
Typically 4–8 weeks from receipt of all required documents
Pets at Home
Other0345 600 8918
Phoenix Group
Other0800 073 1777
4–12 weeks
PlayStation
Other0203 538 2665
Post Office
Other0800 169 9515
Typically 2–4 weeks once all documents received
Premier Man
Other0800 072 2970
2-4 weeks
Primark
OtherPureGym
Other03444 770 005
RAC
Other0330 159 0706
1–2 weeks after documentation received
Railcard / National Rail
Other0345 3000 250
Varies – allow 2–4 weeks for season ticket refunds processed by train companies
Rightmove
OtherDepends on estate agent
RNIB
Other0303 123 9999
A few working days to stop a regular donation and update supporter records; legacy gifts run alongside the wider probate timeline
Royal Mail
Other03457 740740
Redirection typically begins within 5 working days of application
RSPB
Other01767 693 680
1–2 weeks to close the membership and stop future payments
Ryanair
OtherTravel credit issued within a few days of application approval; varies by case
Sainsbury's
Other0800 636 262
1–2 weeks
Screwfix
Other03330 112 112
2–4 weeks depending on complexity
Simply Be
Other0800 072 2970
2-4 weeks
Snapchat
Other4–6 weeks (no guaranteed timeframe)
Specsavers
Other0808 172 0072
Sports Direct
Other0845 1299 200
Spotify
Other1-5 business days
Standard Life
Other0345 606 0095
4–8 weeks
Starbucks
OtherStudio
Other0371 200 0378
Superdrug
Other0345 671 0709
Tesco
Other0345 071 6153
2–4 weeks
Ticketmaster
Other1–10 business days via support; account closure deferred until after booked events
TikTok
OtherTrading 212
Other3–6 weeks from receipt of all required documents
Trainline
Other1–4 weeks
TUI
Other0203 451 2688
Refunds typically processed within 14 business days of documents being accepted; timelines vary
TV Licensing
Other0300 790 6143
Refund within approximately 21 days (cheque or BACS)
X (Twitter)
OtherSeveral weeks (no guaranteed timeline)
Uber
Other0808 189 7190
30 days for full account deletion after request is processed
Vanguard
Other0800 587 0460
4–8 weeks from receipt of all required documents; pension distributions may take longer while Vanguard's trustees review the expression of wishes
Very
Other0800 110 000
Vinted
OtherVirgin Atlantic
Other0344 209 2722
Unused ticket refunds typically 14 working days after documents received; Flying Club miles transfer typically 3–4 weeks
Waitrose
Other0800 188 884
1–2 weeks
Up to 90 days for deletion
William Hill
OtherVaries – allow several weeks
Woodland Trust
Other0330 333 3300
Membership is cancelled as soon as the Trust is notified; allow a few weeks for all correspondence to stop
YouTube
OtherZoopla
OtherUp to 30 days