The 13 Places You Absolutely Must Notify After Someone Dies

When a loved one dies, there are a lot of administrative tasks to get through, often while you’re still grieving. And because that can feel overwhelming, we've compiled a comprehensive checklist of the 13 essential entities you must inform. This list will help you cover the most important notifications, with clear steps to keep things from falling through the cracks. Want to make things easier for your loved ones in the future? Download our free planning guide to help ensure everything is in order when the time comes.

1. Attorney or Estate Planner

They’ll help you understand the will or trust, start probate if required, and guide you through distributing assets, paying debts, and completing legal paperwork.

2. Your Loved One’s Employer

Ask about final paychecks, unused vacation time, and any life insurance benefits through work. This is also the time to return or collect personal belongings from the workplace.

3. Social Security Administration (SSA)

You’ll need to stop monthly benefits to avoid overpayment. Ask about one-time death payments or survivor benefits for a spouse, dependent, or child. Often, your funeral professional will help you with this notification.

4. United States Postal Service (USPS)

This helps you manage bills and official documents and prevents sensitive mail from being lost or stolen. You can do this online or at your local post office.

5. Credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion

Request a death notice on the deceased’s credit file to prevent identity theft or fraud. You may need to provide a copy of the death certificate.

6. Banks and Financial Institutions 

Close or transfer checking, savings, and investment accounts. Ask about automatic payments and gather statements for probate. Be prepared to provide proof of your authority and a death certificate.

7. Insurance Companies

This includes life, health, auto, homeowners, and burial insurance (also called final expense policies). File claims where appropriate and cancel policies that are no longer needed.

8. Creditors and Lenders

This includes credit cards, mortgage companies, and car loan providers. Settling debts through the estate can help prevent late fees, collections, or legal issues if the estate goes through probate.

9. Utility Services

Call providers for electricity, gas, water, phone, cable, and internet. Transfer accounts if someone is staying in the home, or request final bills to close them out.

10. State and Federal Government Agencies

Notify agencies such as your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cancel the deceased’s driver’s license, update voter registration, and determine Veteran burial or memorial benefits eligibility. 

11. Pension Providers

Contact the plan administrator to stop payments if your loved one was receiving a pension. Ask whether the plan offers survivor benefits or spousal continuation. Each provider may have a process for documentation and timelines.

12. Healthcare Providers

Inform doctors, specialists, dentists, and pharmacies. Cancel upcoming appointments and prescriptions, and request copies of medical records for insurance claims or long-term health documentation if needed. This can also help close out any billing issues.

13. Clubs, Organizations, and Religious Institutions

Notify any groups your loved one belonged to, such as alumni associations, unions, volunteer groups, or churches. Not only does this update records, but these communities can also be a source of support, share memories, or assist with memorial planning.

You're Not Alone in This

Handling all these notifications while coping with loss is no small task. But you don’t have to manage it alone. A trusted funeral director can help guide you through many of these steps, from ordering death certificates to notifying Social Security and Veterans Affairs. They’ve helped hundreds of families check these same boxes — and they’re here to help you, too.

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