Who to Notify When Someone Dies: A Checklist for Managing the Process

The loss of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time, and amidst the emotional challenges, there are practical matters that need immediate attention. Notifying the right people and organisations can help ensure everything is handled smoothly. Below is a guide to help you navigate this process, along with helpful resources to ease the burden.

The Australian Death Notification Service

One of the easiest ways to notify multiple organisations after someone passes away is through the Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS), a free government initiative. By using this service, you can notify various institutions, such as banks and insurance companies, all at once through a single online form.

Visit the Australian Death Notification Service here: deathnotification.gov.au

Important note: Before using this service, ensure that the death is registered with your state or territory’s Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

Who You Need to Contact

While the ADNS can streamline notifications, there are still key contacts and organisations you’ll need to reach out to individually. Below is a checklist to guide you through the process:

Essential Contacts

• Executor of the Will: Responsible for managing the deceased’s estate and carrying out the terms of the will.
• Funeral Director: To guide you and your family through planning the funeral and registering the death.
• Minister of Religion: Contact the deceased’s religious leader for spiritual or religious ceremonies, if applicable.

Financial Organisations

• Banks and Credit Unions: Notify the deceased’s bank(s) to freeze or close accounts.
• Credit Card Providers: Cancel or manage outstanding balances.
• Insurance Companies: Includes life insurance, home, and health insurance policies.

Health-Related Services

• Medicare: Contact at 132 011 to cancel the deceased’s Medicare card.
• Health Professionals: Inform the deceased’s doctors, dentists, and other healthcare providers.
• Health Benefits Fund: Manage policy cancellations with private health insurers.

Government and Public Services

• Public Trustee: If there is no will, the Public Trustee may be required to manage the estate.
• Australian Electoral Office: Remove the deceased from the electoral roll at 132 326.
• Local Council: Notify the local council to manage services like council rates or Meals on Wheels.
• My Aged Care: If the deceased received aged care services, contact My Aged Care at 1800 200 422.
• Centrelink: If the deceased was receiving benefits, contact Centrelink at 132 300.
• Foreign Pension Authority: Contact Centrelink’s International Services at 131 673 for foreign pensions.

Utility, Entertainment and Postal Services

• Electricity, Gas, and Water Companies: Cancel or transfer utility accounts.
• Telephone and Internet Providers: Notify providers to either cancel or transfer their landline, mobile, and internet services into another person’s name.
• Post Office: Arrange to redirect mail through Australia Post.
• Subscription Providers: Cancel or transfer any subscriptions to Foxtel, Netflix, Stan or other paid entertainment channels.

Legal and Licensing Authorities

• Vehicle and Driver’s Licence Registration: To cancel the deceased driver’s license or transfer vehicle ownership into another person’s name (you will need to do this even if you plan to sell the vehicle).
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO): Handle any outstanding tax matters at 132 861.

Clubs and Associations

• Professional Bodies, Clubs, and Associations: Notify any organisations the deceased belonged to remove them from distribution lists and annual subscriptions.

Download Our FREE Estate and Financial Emergency Plan today!

We’ve developed a useful template to help you safeguard your family’s legacy and make sure they know what steps to take when the unexpected happens.

To download the Estate and Financial Emergency Plan template, please complete the form below. If you need more help populating the document, reach out to your Morrows advisor, they are more than happy to help you and your family.