Who to Notify When Someone Dies
The Tell Us Once service covers government departments, but it does not reach banks, utility companies, insurers, or telecoms providers. Those need to hear from you directly, which we know is a lot to take on. This guide gives you every phone number, online form, and step to follow, so you never have to go hunting for them.
47+
Organisations covered
7
Categories
Direct phone numbers and online forms
If it all feels like too much, we can email them for you
We can send the bereavement notification emails on your behalf. You are copied in on every one, so any replies come straight to you.
Once you have registered the death and used Tell Us Once, there is still a long list of organisations to contact. Each has its own process, phone number, and paperwork, which is exactly the sort of thing nobody should have to work out from scratch right now.
So we have done the digging for you, covering every major UK bank, building society, energy company, telecoms provider, water company, insurer, and government department. Choose any organisation below to see their full notification guide, including the words to use when you call.
Banks
Barclays
HSBC
Lloyds Bank
Probate threshold: Not published, decided case by case
Halifax
Bank of Scotland
NatWest
Royal Bank of Scotland
Ulster Bank
Santander
Probate threshold: £50,000
TSB
Metro Bank
Co-operative Bank
Virgin Money
Monzo
Starling Bank
Probate threshold: Not published, ask them directly
Revolut
Chase UK
Building Societies
Nationwide Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society
Coventry Building Society
Skipton Building Society
Probate threshold: £50,000
Leeds Building Society
Probate threshold: £50,000
Principality Building Society
Nottingham Building Society
Insurance & Pensions
Scottish Widows
Aviva
Legal & General
Royal London
Standard Life
Prudential
Water Companies
Related guides: See what Tell Us Once does not cover for the full list of organisations you must contact yourself. Use our call scripts for what to say when you phone, and our template letters for what to write. For costs involved, see our full cost breakdown. If you are seeing "probate threshold" mentioned below and are not sure whether probate applies to you, our probate guide explains it in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I need to notify when someone dies?
Banks, building societies, energy suppliers, water companies, telecoms providers, insurers, pension providers, and government departments all need to know. Tell Us Once covers most of the government side, but every other organisation needs to hear from you directly.
What does Tell Us Once not cover?
Tell Us Once only notifies government departments such as HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and local councils. It does not cover banks, building societies, utility companies, insurers, telecoms providers, or any private-sector organisations. You must contact each of these separately.
Do I need to notify every bank individually?
Yes, you generally need to contact each bank separately. However, the Death Notification Service (operated by UK Finance) allows you to notify multiple banks through a single contact point. Not all banks participate, so check with each institution.
What documents do I need to notify organisations?
Most organisations ask for a certified copy of the death certificate. Banks and financial institutions may also want the grant of probate or letters of administration, your photo ID, and proof that you have authority to deal with the estate. It is worth ordering at least 5 certified copies of the death certificate so you are never waiting on one.
Can I notify organisations online?
Many organisations now accept online bereavement notifications, including most major banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) and energy companies. Some still require a phone call or written notification. We list the available options for each organisation on their dedicated page.
How long does it take to close accounts?
Processing times vary by organisation. Most banks take 4 to 8 weeks once all documents have been received. Energy companies typically process changes within 2 to 4 weeks. Government departments are usually faster, especially if you use the Tell Us Once service. Complex estates involving probate will take longer.
Before you go, we have something that might help
There is so much to think about, and it can feel overwhelming. We have put together a free checklist of everything that needs to be done, step by step, so you do not have to worry about forgetting anything. Take it at your own pace.
Completely free. No sign-up required. You can print it or save it as a PDF.
Related guides
Probate Guide
When you need probate, how to apply, and whether to DIY or use a solicitor
Tell Us Once
One call to notify multiple government departments at the same time
Template Letters
Ready-to-use letters for banks, utilities, HMRC, employers, and more
Phone Directory
Every number you might need, organised by who you need to contact
Master Checklist
A complete list of tasks to work through at your own pace
Need a personalised checklist?
Answer a few simple questions and we will put together a step-by-step guide for your own circumstances, with the deadlines worked out from the date of death so you do not have to.
Get Your Personalised GuideFree. No sign-up. Takes about 3 minutes.