Informing Others
About a Death

Telling others about a loved one’s passing is never easy.

Starting with those closest to you can make the process feel a little less daunting.

We can also help you with announcing the passing on our online memorial pages, as well as newspaper notices.

Begin with your closest family – perhaps a spouse, children, parents, or siblings. If you can, try to share the news in person or over the phone, so you can offer support to one another during the conversation.

Once your immediate family is aware, the next step is to inform other relatives and close friends. If this feels too difficult, it’s okay to ask a trusted family member or friend to help spread the news.

We all know how many connections a person makes throughout their life, and it’s not always possible to reach everyone personally. Social media can be a helpful way to share the news more widely. It allows others to pass on the message to those who might also want to know.

When it comes to breaking the news, it’s best to be clear but gentle. You might say something like, “I’m so sorry to tell you that [Name] passed away [yesterday/this morning/etc.].”

Give the person you’re speaking to time to take in the news, and don’t be afraid to show your own emotions. It’s okay to cry or be upset—it’s part of the grieving process.

Online funeral notices provide a modern and convenient way to inform family, friends, and the wider community about a loved one’s passing and funeral arrangements.

They serve as a central point of information, where you can share details about the service, a short biography, and cherished photos. At Gillotts, we can help you create an online funeral notice to share with family and friends.

Once family and friends have been informed, there are several organisations and government departments that will need to be notified.

Here’s a checklist to help you:

• The Government’s Tell Us Once service allows someone to report a death to most government organisations in one go.Tell Us Once is available if the person who died was living in England, Scotland or Wales
• The deceased’s person’s driver’s license will need to be returned to the DVLA and their passport to HM Passport Office
• Banks and other financial institutions: Inform banks, building societies, and creditors to freeze accounts and prevent fraudulent activity
• Pension scheme providers: Inform personal or occupational pension scheme providers
• Insurance providers: Contact life insurance, health insurance, and other relevant providers
• Utility and service providers: Notify utility companies, broadband providers, and any subscription services
• Employers, trade unions or educational institutions: Notify the deceased’s workplace or school
• Housing: Notify the mortgage provider, private landlord, housing association or council housing office
• Social services, if the person received community care
• Their GP, dentist, optician and anyone else providing medical care
• Any organisations, charities or subscriptions the deceased person made regular payments to
• The Bereavement Register removes a deceased person’s details from mailing lists and stops most advertising mail
• If the person who died had a lasting or enduring power of attorney, this automatically ends when they die. The attorney should get in touch with the Office of the Public Guardian and send them the power of attorney document, any certified copies and a copy of the death certificate.