A helping hand when a
loved one dies

No matter how much we prepare ourselves for the inevitable, dealing with the loss of a loved one can leave us with a mixture of emotions. Sadness, anger, helplessness and loneliness are all common feelings at this time. And they also often come in combinations, making it easy to become unsure and daunted about what needs to be done next.

People you might need to inform

Before contacting the people below, it will be useful to gather the person who has died's date of birth, date of marriage (if appropriate), National Insurance number and NHS number.

• Employer, if applicable
• Local social services department, if the deceased was receiving home help or care
• Family doctor to cancel any home nursing
• Dentist and optician
• The Pension Service, along with the administrators of any private pension scheme the deceased was part of
• Mortgage provider
• Bank, building society, life insurance provider and anyone the deceased had financial arrangements with, including credit arrangements and loans
• Home and contents insurer
• Car insurer
• TV Licensing Department
• Utilities companies
• Council Housing Department, if applicable
• Local authority if they had a parking permit or Blue Badge
• The Bereavement Register, so you can remove their name and address from direct mail lists

There may also be certain documents that need returning, certain benefits that you might be eligible for and effects on your state pension if you were the spouse or civil partner of the deceased. You can find out more about these issues in our 'A helping hand when a loved one dies - part two'