How to close, cancel, or transfer accounts after a death
Which action does each provider need?
Not every account should simply be cancelled. Some services need to continue temporarily, especially if they relate to a home, insurance, utilities, care, dependants, or estate administration.
Use these action types:
- Notify — tell the provider about the death
- Transfer — move the service to another person
- Close — end the account
- Pause — stop activity while authority is confirmed
- Refund — check whether a balance, deposit, or overpayment is due
- Memorialise — preserve or convert a digital/social account where appropriate
What proof might providers ask for?
Providers may ask for a death certificate, account details, contact details for the person dealing with the estate, proof of authority, grant of probate, letters of administration, or executor information. Requirements vary by provider and account type.
Do not send more information than needed. Use the provider's official bereavement process where possible.
How should you track provider admin?
Keep one tracker with the provider name, contact method, date contacted, reference number, documents requested, action needed, owner, status, and next follow-up date.
This prevents repeated calls, duplicated family work, and lost details.
Which providers should be prioritised?
Start with essential services and money-sensitive tasks: banks, utilities, rent or mortgage, council tax, insurance, phone/broadband, pensions, benefits, care fees, loans, credit cards, and active subscriptions.
Then work through lower-risk memberships, newsletters, apps, online accounts, and digital profiles.
How ELT will help after launch
Every Little Thing is being built to help families resolve provider admin with proof, permission, and approval. The Helper stays in control. ELT should never sound like it acts without the family's authority.
Source notes
- GOV.UK — What to do when someone dies — Official step-by-step context for registration, notifying government, and estate tasks.
- The Death Notification Service — Free service for notifying participating financial organisations.
- MoneyHelper — Dealing with the debts of someone who has died — Practical context for creditors, debts, and regular payments after a death.
Frequently asked
- Should I cancel all bills immediately?
- No. Some services may need to continue while the estate, home, or family arrangements are sorted. Prioritise urgent money and housing tasks, then decide provider by provider.
- What is the difference between closing and transferring?
- Closing ends the account. Transferring moves responsibility to another person, which may be needed for utilities, phone, broadband, housing, or shared services.
- Do providers all ask for the same documents?
- No. Requirements vary. Some ask for proof of death only; others need proof of authority or estate documents.
- What if a provider is slow?
- Keep reference numbers, dates, names, and copies of messages. Use the provider's formal complaints or bereavement escalation route if needed.
- Can ELT resolve providers now?
- The full provider-resolution service is preparing for April release. This page and checklist are available now without payment or sensitive uploads.