Who Do You Need To Notify When Someone Passes Away?

When a loved one passes away, the combination of grief and shock can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to focus on dealing with the personal business that needs to be addressed after someone dies. At Mountain View Funeral Home, we know that there can be a lot to do, which is why we are here to help make things easier for you.

If your loved one has already preplanned their funeral, your job will be much easier. Our funeral directors can make sure that the deceased’s wishes are honored when it comes to the logistics of a funeral and final disposition.

But there are other details that must be attended to. Here is a list of some of the documents to gather and people/agencies to notify upon your loved one’s passing.

Documents

• Living Trust or Will
• Death certificate
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Social security card
• Real estate documents
• Tax records
• Insurance policies and account records
• Bank account records

People

• Personal representative/executor (if not yourself)
• Physicians/health professionals
• Funeral Director
• Family and friends
• Clergy members
• Attorney
• Landlord
• Accountant

Agencies

• Social Security Administration
• Banks
• Insurance companies
• Medicare
• Utility companies
• Creditors
• Motor Vehicle Division
• Voter registration
• Post office
• Employers and pensions

While there may be others you will need to notify, this list will give you a general idea of where to start.

If you are making contact in writing, here is a sample letter to help you with what to say:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to inform you of the death of the following person:

Name of deceased

Street address

City, State, ZIP code

Date of birth:

Date of death:

I understand that the deceased had business with your organization, and I am requesting that you update your records. The account or reference # is: (insert account or reference #). Please send confirmation to me at the below address. Should you have any questions, please contact me, as well.

Your name

Street address

City, State, ZIP code

Telephone

Email:

Relationship to the deceased:

Thank you very much for your prompt attention. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Signature

Date

While this is a simplified checklist of what you need to do, we understand that there is much more to think about during this challenging time. Please know that our caring and compassionate staff at Mountain View Funeral Home are here to guide you and offer assistance. Contact us here for more information.