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Template Letters and Scripts

Finding the right words is hard enough at the best of times, so we have written these letters for you. Copy the one you need, add anything still marked in [square brackets], and send it by post or email. Each one comes with a few practical tips underneath.

Before you start: it helps to have these beside you: certified copies of the death certificate, their full name and date of birth, and any account or reference numbers you can find. If you have already used Tell Us Once, some of these organisations will know already.

If you would rather call than write, or you need the direct bereavement number for a particular organisation, our who to notify guide has phone numbers and online forms for 60+ UK banks, utilities, and government departments.

Would you rather someone else handle all this?

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Letting a bank or building society know

Use this letter for any bank, building society, or financial institution. Send one to each provider separately.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

[Bank/Building Society name]
[Bereavement Team / Department address]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you of the death of [full name of the deceased], who held an account (or accounts) with you.

[Full name of the deceased] passed away on [date of death]. I enclose a certified copy of the death certificate.

The account details I am aware of are:

Account name: [name on account]
Account number: [account number]
Sort code: [sort code]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / next of kin] and would be grateful if you could:

- Freeze the account(s) to prevent any unauthorised transactions
- Confirm the balance(s) as at the date of death
- Advise me of any standing orders or direct debits on the account(s)
- Let me know what documentation you require to release the funds

Please send all correspondence to the address above.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Enclosures: Certified copy of death certificate

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •Send a separate letter to each bank or building society.
  • •The free Death Notification Service (deathnotificationservice.co.uk) lets you tell several banks at once, which saves repeating yourself.
  • •Most banks will release reasonable funeral costs from the account before probate is granted, so do ask.
  • •If the account was held jointly, it usually passes automatically to the surviving account holder.
  • •Keep a copy of every letter you send, and jot down the date you posted it. It saves a lot of worry later.

Is probate required before the bank releases funds?

If the estate is above the bank's threshold, you will need a grant of probate before funds can be released. Compare local probate solicitors and get free quotes through Unbiased.

Compare solicitors

Letting utility companies know

Use this letter for gas, electricity, water, broadband, phone, or TV licence providers.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

[Utility company name]
[Company address]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to inform you that [full name of the deceased], the account holder at the address below, passed away on [date of death].

Account number: [account number, if known]
Account address: [address where the service is provided]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / next of kin].

[Choose one of the following:]

Option A - Transfer the account:
I would like to transfer the account into my name / the name of [new account holder's full name], who will continue to live at the property. Please send a final bill up to the date of death and set up a new account from that date.

Option B - Close the account:
I would like to close the account. Please provide a final meter reading as of [date] and send the closing bill to my address above.

Please send all correspondence to my address at the top of this letter.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •Take final meter readings for gas, electricity, and water on the date of death (or as soon as possible after).
  • •If the property will be empty, consider whether you need to keep the heating on at a low level to prevent damage.
  • •You do not need to send a death certificate to most utility companies, but keep one ready in case they ask.
  • •Cancel the TV licence online at tvlicensing.co.uk or by calling 0300 790 6165. You may be entitled to a refund for any full remaining months.
  • •Check whether any utility accounts are in credit. You are entitled to a refund of any overpayment.

Letting HMRC know

If you have used Tell Us Once, HMRC will already know. If not, this letter tells them directly.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

HM Revenue and Customs
Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment
BX9 1AS

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you of the death of [full name of the deceased].

Date of death: [date of death]
National Insurance number: [NI number of the deceased]
Unique Taxpayer Reference (if applicable): [UTR number]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / next of kin].

[Full name of the deceased] was [employed by / self-employed / retired / in receipt of a pension]. Please could you:

- Confirm any tax owed or any tax refund due up to the date of death
- Cancel any future tax demands or payments
- Send any correspondence regarding the estate to my address above

I enclose a certified copy of the death certificate.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Enclosures: Certified copy of death certificate

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •If you used Tell Us Once at the register office, HMRC already know. There is no need to write separately.
  • •You can also ring the HMRC bereavement helpline on 0300 200 3300.
  • •If they were self-employed, one final tax return is needed, covering the start of the tax year up to the date of death.
  • •Any tax refund owed to them forms part of the estate.
  • •Hold on to their tax records for at least 4 years after the end of the tax year in which they died.

Letting the council know (council tax)

Telling the local council means you can claim any council tax exemption or discount you are entitled to.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

[Council name]
Council Tax Department
[Council address]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you of the death of [full name of the deceased], who was the [sole / joint] council tax payer at:

[Property address]
[Postcode]

Council tax account number: [account number, if known]
Date of death: [date of death]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / next of kin].

[Choose whichever applies:]

The property is now unoccupied:
I understand that the property is exempt from council tax from the date of death until probate is granted, and for six months after that. Please apply the relevant exemption and confirm this in writing.

Someone else still lives at the property:
[Name of remaining occupant] continues to live at the property. If they are now the sole adult occupant, please apply the 25% single person discount from the date of death. Please transfer the account into their name.

Please send all correspondence to my address above.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •If you used Tell Us Once, the council will already have been notified, but it is still worth confirming the correct discount or exemption has been applied.
  • •An empty property is exempt from council tax from the date of death until probate is granted (Class F exemption).
  • •After probate is granted, the property remains exempt for a further 6 months, as long as it stays empty and has not been sold.
  • •If only one adult remains at the property, they are entitled to a 25% single person discount.
  • •Contact the council by phone if you need the exemption applied urgently.

Writing these letters can be exhausting. You do not have to do them all at once. Take breaks when you need to, and ask a friend or family member to help if you can. If you are struggling, call Cruse Bereavement Support free on 0808 808 1677.

Letting an employer know

If they were working at the time, their employer will need to hear from you.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

[Employer name]
[HR Department / Manager's name]
[Employer address]

Dear [Manager's name / Sir or Madam],

I am writing to let you know that [full name of the deceased], who was employed by you as [job title, if known], passed away on [date of death].

I am [his/her/their] [relationship, e.g. spouse / partner / son / daughter / executor].

I would be grateful if you could let me know:

- Whether any salary or holiday pay is owed up to the date of death
- Whether there is a workplace pension, and if so, the details of the scheme and any death-in-service benefit
- Whether there was any life insurance or death-in-service cover provided through the employment
- If there are any personal belongings at the workplace that need to be collected

Please could you also ensure that payroll is updated and no further payments are made to [full name of the deceased].

Please send all correspondence to my address above.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •Many employers offer death-in-service benefits, often 2 to 4 times annual salary, so always ask even if nobody mentions it.
  • •Workplace pensions may include a lump sum death benefit. You can contact the pension scheme administrator directly.
  • •The employer will also need to issue a P45 to HMRC.
  • •If they were a member of a trade union, the union may offer a death benefit too.
  • •If making the first phone call feels like too much, ask a friend or family member to do it for you. That is a perfectly reasonable thing to ask.

Cancelling subscriptions and memberships

A general letter you can adapt for any subscription, membership, or regular payment.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

[Company / Organisation name]
[Address]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you that [full name of the deceased], a [member / subscriber / customer] of yours, passed away on [date of death].

Membership / Account number: [number, if known]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / next of kin] and I would like to cancel [his/her/their] [membership / subscription / account] with immediate effect.

If any payments have been taken after the date of death, I would be grateful if you could arrange a refund to the original payment method or to the estate.

If you need any further information, please contact me at the address above.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •Check bank and credit card statements for regular payments you might not be aware of.
  • •Common subscriptions to cancel: streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime), gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, breakdown cover (AA, RAC), professional memberships.
  • •For online accounts, check email inboxes for subscription confirmation emails.
  • •You may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for any period paid for but not used.
  • •Some organisations (charities, clubs) will cancel immediately with just a phone call.

Letting insurance companies know

Use this letter for life, home, car, travel, or any other insurance policy.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

[Insurance company name]
[Claims / Bereavement Department]
[Company address]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you of the death of [full name of the deceased], who held a [life insurance / home insurance / car insurance / other] policy with you.

Policy number: [policy number]
Date of death: [date of death]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / named beneficiary / next of kin].

[For life insurance:]
I would like to make a claim under this policy. Please send me the relevant claim forms and let me know what documents you require.

[For home insurance:]
The property at [address] is now [unoccupied / still occupied by family members]. Please confirm whether the cover remains valid and advise me of any changes I need to make. I understand that some policies have a 30-day limit for unoccupied properties.

[For car insurance:]
The vehicle registered to [full name of the deceased] is [registration number]. Please cancel the policy and arrange a pro-rata refund for the remaining term.

I enclose a certified copy of the death certificate.

Please send all correspondence to my address above.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Enclosures: Certified copy of death certificate

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •Contact home insurers urgently. Many policies become void if a property is unoccupied for more than 30 days.
  • •If a life insurance policy was written in trust, it pays out directly to the beneficiary and does not form part of the estate.
  • •Check bank statements and paperwork for policies you may not know about.
  • •For car insurance, you may be entitled to a refund of unused premiums.
  • •The Association of British Insurers has a free tracing service to help find lost or forgotten policies: abi.org.uk.

We know this is an incredibly difficult time

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.

Download Free ChecklistOr get a personalised one

Completely free. No sign-up required. You can print it or save it as a PDF.

Letting the DVLA know

For a driving licence or a vehicle they were the registered keeper of. Tell Us Once handles the licence, but the vehicle registration still needs sorting separately.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you of the death of [full name of the deceased].

Date of death: [date of death]
Driving licence number: [licence number, if known]

Regarding the driving licence:
[If Tell Us Once was not used:] I enclose the driving licence and ask that you cancel it. If Tell Us Once was used, you should already have been notified.

Regarding the vehicle(s):
[Full name of the deceased] was the registered keeper of the following vehicle(s):

Registration number: [registration number]
Make and model: [make and model]

[Choose one:]

Option A - Transfer to a new keeper:
I would like to transfer the registration to [new keeper's full name]. I enclose the completed V5C/2 (new keeper supplement) section of the log book.

Option B - The vehicle is being sold or scrapped:
Please update your records accordingly. [If sold, I have notified the new keeper.]

Option C - The vehicle will be kept off the road:
I have declared a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) for this vehicle.

I enclose a certified copy of the death certificate and the V5C log book.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Enclosures: Certified copy of death certificate, V5C log book [and driving licence if applicable]

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •If you used Tell Us Once, the driving licence will be cancelled automatically. However, you still need to deal with vehicle registration separately.
  • •You can apply for a refund of any remaining full months of vehicle tax. Do this through the DVLA.
  • •If the vehicle is not being used, declare a SORN (free) to avoid needing to pay vehicle tax or have an MOT.
  • •If you are selling the vehicle, you can notify the DVLA online at gov.uk.
  • •Return the blue badge (if applicable) to the local council.

Letting the Passport Office know

To cancel their passport. Tell Us Once does this for you automatically, but you can also write directly if you prefer.

[Your full name]
[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]

[Date]

HM Passport Office
PO Box 767
Southport
PR8 9PW

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to notify you of the death of [full name of the deceased] and request that [his/her/their] passport be cancelled.

Full name (as shown on passport): [full name as on passport]
Date of birth: [date of birth]
Date of death: [date of death]
Passport number: [passport number]

I am the [executor of the will / administrator of the estate / next of kin].

I enclose the passport and a certified copy of the death certificate. If you are able to return the cancelled passport as a keepsake, I would appreciate that.

Yours faithfully,

[Your full name]

Enclosures: Passport, certified copy of death certificate

Save your details once and we will fill this letter in for you.

Practical tips

  • •If you used Tell Us Once, the Passport Office will already have been notified and you do not need to send this letter.
  • •Cutting the corner of the passport does not officially cancel it. The Passport Office needs to update their records.
  • •You can request the cancelled passport be returned to you as a keepsake.
  • •If you cannot find the passport, still write to let them know it should be cancelled.
  • •There is no charge for cancelling a passport after someone dies.

A few general tips for sending these letters

  • •Keep copies. Photograph or photocopy every letter before sending, and make a note of the date you posted it.
  • •Send by recorded delivery when enclosing original documents like death certificates, passports, or log books.
  • •Order enough death certificates. At least 5 certified copies is our advice. You can order more from the register office at any time (currently £12.50 each in England and Wales, £15 in Scotland).
  • •Use Tell Us Once. This free government service notifies multiple departments in one go, including HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and your local council. Learn more about Tell Us Once.
  • •Many organisations accept email. Check the company website for a bereavement contact email. It can be faster than posting a letter.
  • •Ask for help. A trusted friend, a family member, a solicitor, or Citizens Advice can all help you with the paperwork. You do not have to do this on your own.

Need a personalised to-do list?

Answer a few questions and we will put together a step-by-step checklist for your own situation, including who to contact and when.

Get Your Personalised Guide

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.

Download Free ChecklistOr get a personalised one

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

Who to Notify

Phone numbers, online forms, and step-by-step processes for every bank, utility, and insurer

Bank Accounts After Death

What happens to bank accounts, how to close them, and when you can release money without probate

Phone Directory

Every number you might need, organised by who you need to contact

Document Checklist

Every document you need to gather, where to find them, and who needs them