Checklist of things to do following a bereavement
Legal Issues
- Register the death and obtain a death certificate
- Contact a funeral director to arrange the funeral
- Notify the deceased's solicitor if there is one
- Notify the executors named in the will. If there is no will, decide who to appoint as administrator to administer the deceased's estate
Financial
- Notify banks, building society, credit union, post office, companies in which shares are held, etc
- Cancel Direct Debits/Standing Orders in the deceased's bank or building society
- Cancel subscriptions to clubs/groups/magazines, etc
- Cancel insurance policies, health insurance, etc
- Contact the Department of Social Protection if the deceased was receiving a payment
- Contact the pension provider if the deceased was receiving a work-related or private pension
- Contact any hire purchase or loan companies
- Contact the tax office about possible tax refunds or credits
Housing
- If the deceased held a mortgage, change the name on the mortgage
- Change the name on the house deeds
- If living in rented accommodation, arrange to have the name on the tenancy agreement changed
- Change the name on household utility bills
- Contact An Post to re-direct post to the executor or administrator of the estate
Miscellaneous
- Notify the deceased's employer if an employee or the school/college if in education
- Contact the Local Health Office of the deceased or voluntary organisation if they were getting community care health services
- Contact the doctor/hospital if the deceased was awaiting any appointments
- Contact the travel agency, hotel, airline etc., if the deceased had made reservations, to enquire about any refunds
- The deceased's passport can be returned to the passport office for cancellation
- Notify the deceased's local authority to update the register of electors by submitting a third party request
Page edited:
24 January 2023