Who to notify when someone dies, and how

After a death, most organizations will not talk to you until they have something in writing. A short, clear letter with a copy of the death certificate gets you their instructions and forms. This page lists who to notify when someone dies and what to ask each one. It ends with two complete sample letters from the full pack. They are general templates, not legal documents. For the order of the whole process see the timeline, and for the free first steps see the checklist.

Who to notify, and what to ask

Social Security Administration

A funeral director can report the death to the Social Security Administration if you give them the Social Security number, so ask the funeral home first and confirm later that it was done. USA.gov explains that the agency cannot pay benefits for the month of a recipient's death. If a payment arrives by direct deposit, tell the bank as soon as possible. Spouses and minor children may be eligible for survivor benefits. Details are on the USA.gov page to report a death to Social Security or Medicare.

Banks and credit unions

Write to each bank's deceased-accounts or estate department. Ask for the balance at the date of death, whether any account has a joint owner or named beneficiary, what forms it needs to release, retitle or close each account, and what is needed to open any safe deposit box. Attach a copy of the death certificate and, if issued, the court letters showing your authority. Sample letter 1 below is a full bank letter.

Employer and pension or retirement plan

Ask the employer's HR department or the plan administrator whether there is unpaid wages, a leave payout or expense reimbursement, whether any group life insurance, pension or retirement benefit is payable and who the beneficiaries on file are, what forms are needed, and whether coverage for dependents continues.

Life insurers

Search for policies in the mail, with the employer and through any agent. Write to each insurer's claims department asking for claim forms, a list of documents, confirmation of the policy status and named beneficiaries, and any other policy or annuity it issued to the insured. Insurance paid to a named beneficiary is often the fastest source of funds for a family.

Credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion

Ask each of the three bureaus to place a deceased alert on the credit file, to add a statement that no new credit be issued without contacting you, and to send a copy of the report so the estate can find open accounts. Each bureau sets its own proof requirements, so use the mailing address or process on its current website. Attach the death certificate, proof of your authority and a copy of your photo ID.

Credit card issuers

Write to the deceased-accounts department. Ask that the account be closed to new charges and flagged as deceased, for a statement of the balance at the date of death, and whether anyone is a joint holder or co-signer. State plainly that the letter is not an acknowledgement that you personally owe any amount.

Mortgage servicer, landlord and utilities

For a mortgage, write to the estate or successor department for the current balance, next payment due and escrow details, and ask what documents it needs and how payments should be made while the estate is opened. For a rented home, tell the landlord, discuss the move-out date, the rent due and the return of the security deposit to the estate. For electric, gas, water, internet and phone, say whether to keep service active, close it or transfer the account, and ask for the final bill. Keep paying essential bills on property the estate owns, such as mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities, using estate funds when available.

Home, auto and other insurers

Tell the home, vehicle and umbrella insurers about the death. Coverage can change if a property is vacant or the named insured has died.

State motor vehicle agency

Ask the agency to cancel the driver license or ID card and note the record as deceased, which reduces fraud risk. Ask what forms are needed to retitle or sell any vehicle and whether any registration refund is due.

Subscriptions and memberships

Streaming services, gyms, clubs and magazines should be asked to cancel, stop further charges and refund anything charged after the date of death. Check first which bills are real obligations, because some, such as insurance on a house, may need to continue.

Veterans Affairs, if the decedent served

Gather the DD214 or other discharge papers. The VA lists burial benefits that include burial in a national cemetery, a burial allowance, headstones, markers and Presidential Memorial Certificates; see the VA burials and memorials page. Ask the VA or any other benefit payer what applies.

Creditors and debt collectors who contact you

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that generally no one else has to pay a deceased person's debts, which are usually paid from the estate, with exceptions such as co-signers, joint credit card holders and, where state law requires, spouses. A collector may discuss the debts with the executor but may not suggest that the executor must pay with personal money. A non-executor may be contacted only to find the executor. Acknowledge the contact in writing without agreeing that the debt is valid, and ask for the original creditor, the amount with an itemized statement and the supporting documents. Read the CFPB answer.

Beneficiaries and heirs

Send each beneficiary a letter on where things stand: what has been done, what comes next, and that nothing will be distributed until debts, taxes and any court requirements are settled. If an account or policy names someone directly as beneficiary, they may need to claim it themselves with the company.

How to use a sample letter

Replace every [BRACKETED] field before sending. Send by a trackable method and keep a copy in your records. Check the recipient's own instructions first: many organizations have a deceased-accounts department with its own address and form. Send copies of the death certificate unless the recipient asks for a certified original.

Sample letter 1: notice of death to a bank or credit union

Attach: a certified or photocopy of the death certificate as the bank requires, and court letters showing your authority, if issued.

[DATE]

[BANK NAME]
Attn: Deceased Accounts / Estate Services
[BANK ADDRESS]

Re: Notice of death of [DECEDENT FULL NAME]
Account number(s) ending in: [LAST 4 DIGITS]

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to tell you that [DECEDENT FULL NAME] died on [DATE OF DEATH]. I am the [EXECUTOR / ADMINISTRATOR / FAMILY MEMBER HANDLING THE ESTATE]. A copy of the death certificate is enclosed[, together with court documents showing my authority].

Please:
1. Note the death on the account(s) above and stop any new automatic withdrawals that are not required.
2. Tell me the balance as of the date of death.
3. Send me your written instructions and forms for what you need from me to release, retitle or close each account, including any safe deposit box.
4. Tell me whether any account has a joint owner or a named beneficiary.

Please send your reply to me at the address below.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR RELATIONSHIP / TITLE]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR PHONE]
[YOUR EMAIL]

Sample letter 2: request for certified death certificates

Send to the state or county vital records office where the death occurred, or ask the funeral home. Attach: a copy of your photo ID, proof of relationship or interest if the office requires it, and payment as the office instructs. The CDC explains that death certificates are obtained from the state or territory where the death occurred, on its Where to Write for Vital Records page.

[DATE]

[VITAL RECORDS OFFICE NAME]
[ADDRESS FROM ITS CURRENT INSTRUCTIONS]

Re: Request for certified copies of a death certificate

To whom it may concern:

I request [NUMBER] certified copies of the death certificate for:

Full name of decedent: [DECEDENT FULL NAME]
Date of death: [DATE OF DEATH]
Place of death (city, county, state): [PLACE OF DEATH]
Date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH]
Parents' names (if the form asks): [PARENT NAMES]

My name: [YOUR NAME]
My relationship to the decedent: [RELATIONSHIP]
Reason for the request: settling the estate

I enclose a copy of my ID, [PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP] and payment of [AMOUNT] as the office instructs. Please send the certificates to:

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR PHONE]

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]