Date and Place of Death and the Medical Certificate issued by doctor

Usual Residence

Full Name (and the Maiden Surname if the deceased was married)

Status (Married, Single, Divorced, etc.) and sex

Date and Place of Birth (Birth Certificate if available)

Occupation

Medical Card

Details of any Naval or Military Pension received by the deceased

The Bank or Building Society. Accounts need to be closed and any joint accounts need to be amended.

The Inland Revenue. Telephone or write to your local district office and give them the deceased’s name and National Insurance number. There may be a rebate of tax due in certain cases.

The Family Doctor and or the Hospital. Any outstanding appointments should be cancelled.

Any employer, school, college or university.

Social Services. Cancel any housing/rate benefits and council tax.

Social Security. Form 36/BD8 needs to be completed to cancel any direct payments into a bank account. The Registrar of Deaths provides this white certificate. There is also a Widows Claims Pack, reference BW1, which in certain circumstances may provide a lump sum of up to £1000.

Investment and Insurance Companies, including Car Insurance.

Investments:. Premium Bonds are not transferable. The Post Office will issue you with a form that needs to be sent to the Bonds and Stocks Office.

Insurance Policies: The policyholders name may have to be changed, especially with regard to car insurance, as you are not legally insured to drive if the policy is in the deceased’s name. In order to redeem life assurance policies, the insurance company requires the policy document and the death certificate.

Credit Card and Store Card Companies. Cancel cards and settle accounts.

Oil, Gas, Electric, Telephone, Cable or Satellite Companies. Cancel accounts or change the name.

Any Professional Associations.

The Local Authority.

Post Office. For mail to be re-directed, a small charge may be levied.

Vehicle Registration Documents. Change the name of ownership.

Passport. You should return the passport to Upton House, 47-51 High Street, Belfast, BT1 2QS.

Library Books and Tickets.

Driving License. To be sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, County Hall, Coleraine, BT51 3HS. If the licence can not be found, then send a letter to the DVLA giving the licence holders name and address.

Club Membership Cards and Season Tickets. A refund may be issued.

Television Licence. Change the name of the holder or a refund may be issued.

National Health Service Equipment. Return to hospital or surgery.

Consideration needs to be given to Wills and Probate in this situation.

Milk

Newspapers

Appointments with Home Help; Meals on Wheels; Dentist; Optician; Hairdresser

To give the property the appearance of being occupied.

Make sure all doors and windows are secure.

Consider leaving the heating on during the winter to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Adjust blinds and curtains regularly.

Purchase a time clock to turn a lamp on and off at intervals.

Dispose of all perishable goods and leave the fridge door open.

Entrust a key to a neighbour who will attend to any newspapers and mail that arrives.