Who to Notify When Someone Dies
The Tell Us Once service covers government departments, but it does not notify banks, utility companies, insurers, or telecoms providers. You need to contact each of those organisations yourself. This guide gives you every phone number, online form, and step-by-step process you need.
47+
Organisations covered
7
Categories
Direct phone numbers and online forms
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After registering a death and using the Tell Us Once service, there is still a long list of organisations to contact. Each one has its own process, phone number, and document requirements.
We have researched and documented the bereavement process for every major UK bank, building society, energy company, telecoms provider, water company, insurer, and government department. Click on any organisation below to see their full notification guide, including what to say when you call.
Banks
Barclays
HSBC
Lloyds Bank
Probate threshold: £50,000
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: £10,000
Revolut
Chase UK
Building Societies
Nationwide Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society
Coventry Building Society
Skipton Building Society
Probate threshold: £5,000 (for simplified email process)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I need to notify when someone dies?
You need to notify banks, building societies, energy suppliers, water companies, telecoms providers, insurers, pension providers, and government departments. Tell Us Once covers most government notifications, but you will need to contact every other organisation individually.
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 require a certified copy of the death certificate. Banks and financial institutions may also ask for the grant of probate or letters of administration, your photo ID, and proof of your authority to deal with the estate. Order at least 5 certified copies of the death certificate.
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.
Related guides
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 create a step-by-step guide tailored to your exact circumstances, with real deadlines calculated from the date of death.
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