Who to Contact
After a loved one has died, there can seem to be an overwhelming amount of work and task that must be completed. From banks to insurance agencies, governmental agencies to Facebook and Twitter; it can be hard to keep track of, and make sure everything has been covered.
To help with this process, we have put together some information and links to checklists on this page that we hope you find helpful and can help guide you through this process. You can also print out our Aftercare Checklist below, and use it to guide you during this transition period.
Organizations to Contact
- Social Security Administration, 800-772-1213
- Veteran’s Administration (if decedent was formerly in the military).
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service, 216-522-6680 (military service retiree receiving benefits).
- Office of Personnel Management, 888-767-6738 (if decedent is a retired or former federal civil service employee).
- State Department of Motor Vehicles (if decedent had a driver’s license or state ID).
- State and/or County Board of Elections (if decedent was a registered voter).
- US Postal Service to forward the decedent’s mail to another address
- Professional associations and unions.
- Health clubs and athletic clubs.
- Automobile clubs.
- Public library.
- Alumni clubs.
- Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Veterans’ organizations and clubs.
Financial and Insurance Companies
- Credit card and merchant card companies
- Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions
- Mortgage companies and lenders
- Financial planners and stockbrokers
- Pension providers
- Life insurers and annuity companies
- Health, medical and dental insurers
- Disability insurer
- Automotive insurer
- Mutual benefit companies
Credit Reporting Agencies
There are three national credit reporting agencies which you should notify of the death and instruct them to list all accounts as: “Closed. Account Holder is Deceased.” You may also request a credit report to obtain a list of all creditors and to review recent credit activities.
- Experian, 888-397-3742, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, Texas 75013.
- Equifax, 800-525-6285, P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, Georgia 30348.
- TransUnion, 800-680-7289, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, Pennsylvania 19022 - 2000
Check below each Credit Reporting Agency you wish to send this Notification. It is recommended that you send the Notification to each Credit Reporting Agency with copies of the death certificate and, if you are the personal representative of the estate, your appointment papers from the Probate Court. Prior to sending, make copies for your records.
Social Media Sites
It can be easy to overlook social media websites, and since these websites provide various options, it is always advisable to visit the website and determine what course of action may be best. Each social media website has different requirements for making changes to a loved one's account; we recommend printing out the Social Media Notification Checklist by clicking here, to help guide you through this complex process.
365 Days of Grief Support
Sign up for one year of grief messages designed to offer hope and healing during the difficult first year after a loss