Frequently Asked Questions

About

Q: What is the Death Notification Service?

A: The Death Notification Service is a free online notification service that allows a member of the public to notify participating organisations, of the death of a family member, friend or care home resident.

Q: Why is it being introduced?

A: Following the death of a friend or family member, it can be hard having the same conversation with multiple organisations and to repeat the same painful words time after time.


The online Death Notification Service has been created by Equiniti to support the participating organisations to enable a member of the public to notify these firms, including their various brands, about the death of a family member in one go, allowing them to deal with the administration at the pace that suits them. This is an additional service to the notification and bereavement services already offered by these organisations.

Q: How does it work?

A: The service is available to anyone who has recently suffered a bereavement and wishes to notify one or more of the participating organisations so that they can update their records. The online form allows the individual to make one quick and straightforward notification that will then be used to contact all the selected member organisations. Once the form has been completed, confirmation of receipt will be provided by the Death Notification Service* and the relevant organisations notified. The notified organisations will then update their records and advise the individual of the next steps.


Where a live account is located for the deceased, notifiers can expect to receive a communication from individual member organisations within 10 working days, including and allowing for postal times from the initial date of the notification. Important: If no account is held with the member organisation then they will not write back to you.


If you wish to make a notification through the service over the phone then please call our helpline on 0333 2076574 (local rate) and one of our representatives will be happy to help.


*Email confirmation from the Death Notification Service will only be sent to notifiers that have created an account.

Q:  Can I register a death through this service to obtain a death certificate?

A:  No. To register a death visit https://www.gov.uk/register-a-death

You may be able to use the Tell Us Once service to report a death to most government organisations in one go.

Q: Is this the same as the Tell us Once service?

A: No, the Death Notification Service is a service that allows you to tell private sector organisations such as banks of a death, – it is a separate, independent service and is not linked to or a replacement for Tell Us Once which is a service that lets you report a death to government organisations only. This service should be used in conjunction with Tell Us Once. Further information of the government service can be found on https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once

Who Can I Notify

Q: Which organisations can I notify by using your service?

A: Details of the organisations who are part of the service can be found here. When you notify an organisation, they will update their records for all products they identify as being held by the deceased.

Q: What if the company that I am looking for is not a member of the Death Notification Service?

A: Individuals should contact that organisation directly to register the person’s death, as they would do currently. Going forward, we would hope to see this service extended to other financial institutions as well as other industry sectors.

Using the service

Q: Is there a charge for using the service?

A: No the service is free to anyone making a notification.

Q: Who is the correct person to be completing this notification?

A: Anyone can complete the notification. If the notifier is representing the deceased in dealing with the estate, they will receive information with the next steps. The service is open not just to individuals and can be used by third party organisations such as Solicitors, Care Homes, Local Authorities etc.


If they are not dealing with the broader estate, or are not entitled to any funds in the accounts, but are helping by informing of the death only, they will be sent correspondence to confirm the notification has been received*. We do ask, where known, if the notifier is aware of who is dealing with the estate, then their details are recorded so they can be contacted directly and advised on next steps* Email confirmation that the notification has been received by the Death Notification will only be sent to the notifier if they have created an account.

Q: What information will the notifier need to provide? Are you required to provide proof of death?

A: To use the service the notifier will need the following details of the person who died:

  • Full Name
  • Date of birth
  • Date of death
  • Last address

The following information is helpful so that the financial institutions can quickly confirm whether they hold open accounts for the deceased, but is not mandatory.

  • Account details for the organisation you want to notify these can include
    • Bank account number and sort code
    • Building Society account number
    • Confirmation that a credit card was held (we do not ask for the credit card number or details)

The notifier will also be asked to provide details about themselves for identification purposes. The details asked for are:

  • Full Name
  • Address
  • Date of Birth

The notifier will not be required to provide proof of death to notify the selected organisations but they may be required to do so at a later date. The requirement to provide proof will be dependent on each individual organisations bereavement processes.

Q: Can details of the notification be updated at a later date?

A: Yes, if the notifier has created an account when they submit a notification they can log back into this account at any time within the next 90 days and add additional accounts or notify additional institutions as they become aware that they need to contact them. They will not be able to update their own details or the details of the deceased following submission of the notification, but can make a notification of a separate death if required. Once you have made your changes, they will need to be re-submitted from the “Notification Review” page.

(Please note that the ability to add additional accounts or notify additional institutions maybe disabled for up to 2 working days following submission whilst we carry out security checks)

Q: How long will it be until the notifier is contacted with the next steps by the organisations notified?

A: Where a live account is located for the deceased, each member organisation will contact the notifier within 10 working days from the date that they submitted the notification to let them know what the next steps are. Next steps may require the notifier to provide a copy of the death certificate. Important: If no account is held with the member organisation then they will not write back to you.

Q: Can this service tell the notifier how much was held in the accounts?

A: No, once notified each of the member organisations will be in touch with the notifier to advise of the next steps. For security purposes, the Death Notification Service support team do not have access to bank account information.

Q: Can the service be used to notify of somebody that is missing presumed dead?

A: No. If the individual is in the process of retrieving a declaration of presumed death, please contact the individual member organisations directly to discuss.

Q: Can this notification be done in any way other than online?

A: The Death Notification Service is an online service that has been created to advise multiple organisations of a death. If an individual is experiencing difficulty when using the service online they can contact our dedicated Death Notification Service helpline on 0333 2076574 (local rate) where a trained bereavement representative will be able to guide them through the notification service and answer any questions.

Q: What if an individual wishes to discuss a particularly time-sensitive issue relating to the deceased estate, do they still use this online notification service?

A: If the case is particularly time-sensitive (for example, if money or property needs to be released from the estate urgently or you believe that there is a risk to the assets within the estate), the notifier should discuss it with the relevant organisation directly before using the service.

Q: What is meant by ‘Person dealing with the estate’?

A: A person dealing with the estate will usually be referred to as a Personal Representative, Executor or Administrator. A Personal Representative is the person who is legally entitled to administer the estate of the person who has died (referred to as ‘the deceased’). The term ‘personal representatives’, is used because it includes both Executors and Administrators. Sometimes this is not known immediately, it is not a requirement of the notification for this to be known at this time but it would be helpful information for the relevant organisations at a later date.


If you wish to add details of the person dealing with the estate following the submission of the notification and you created an account, you can do this by telephoning the dedicated Death Notification Service helpline on 0333 2076574 (local rate).

Q: Do you need to know if there is a will?

A: A Will is not required to complete the notification process. It may be helpful for organisations to know whether there is a will or not as this may speed up their internal processes. If the person who has died has left a Will, the member organisations will be able to confirm the person or people named as executors who will be required to take legal responsibility for carrying out the instructions in the Will, and dealing with the estate.

Q: What should I do if I realise I’ve made a mistake?

A: If a mistake has been made on the notification and it has been submitted for validation, please contact the relevant organisation directly as we are unable to edit any details about you, the deceased or the person looking after the estate at this time.

Q: What if I have an issue or don’t feel I have received the service I need?

A: You can contact the Death Notification Service on 0333 2076574 (local rate) or email on comments@deathnotificationservice.co.uk. In addition, you can contact the relevant member organisations directly.

Q: What should I do if I have not been contacted within 10 working days?

A: If the deceased did not hold an account with the organisation that you notified, then you will not receive a response. However, if you are certain that they did and you have still not heard from them within 10 working days, then please contact the relevant organisation using the details below.

Institution

Telephone Number

Allica Bank

Financial - 0330 094 3333 Lines are open: Monday to Friday (excl. Wednesday) from 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Wednesday 9.30am to 5.00pm.

Bank of Scotland

Financial - 0800 056 0073

Motor – 0330 018 4175 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/bereavement.html

Barclays Bereavement Centre

Financial - 0800 068 2238 Option 2, Lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Bradford and Bingley Group

Home – 0344 412 2153 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.bradfordandbingley-insurance.co.uk/contact-us.asp

Birmingham Midshires

Savings – 0345 602 2828 Lines are open 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday

Mortgages – 0345 300 2627 Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-1pm

Black Horse Finance

Financial - 0344 824 8888 Lines are open 8:30am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday

Budget

Motor and Home – 0344 412 2118 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.budgetinsurance.com/about-us/contact-us/call-us/#bereavement

Cater Allen

Financial - 0800 028 4112 Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-2pm Saturday

Co-op Ecoinsurance

Motor – 0344 412 2101 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.coop.co.uk/insurance/car-insurance/ecoinsurance/ecoinsurance-contact-us-page

Dial

Motor and Home – 0344 412 2137 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.dialdirect.co.uk/bereavementguide/

Equiniti

Financial - 0371 384 2793 Lines are open 8:30am–5:30pm Monday to Friday (excluding UK Bank holidays)

First Direct Bereavement Support Team

Financial - 0113 276 6669 The Team are available everyday (except Christmas Day) 8am-10pm Monday to Thursday, 8am-9pm Friday, 8am-7pm Saturday and 9am-10pm Sunday.

Geoffrey

Motor – 0808 196 1548 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.geoffreyinsurance.com/contact-us/

Halifax

Financial - 0800 028 1057

Motor – 0344 209 0471 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.halifax.co.uk/helpcentre/bereavement.html

HSBC- UK Bereavement Support Team

Financial - 0345 850 0088 Lines are open 8:30am-6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am-2pm Saturday (excluding public holidays)

Idem Servicing

Secured loans: 0345 196 0490

Unsecured loans: 0345 196 0495

Intelligent Finance

Financial - 0345 609 4343 Lines are open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm Saturday

Leeds Building Society

NB. this does NOT include Leeds Permanent Building Society accounts.

Financial - 03450 50 50 75

Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm Saturday

Lex Autolease

Financial - 0800 389 3690 Lines are open 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday

Lloyds Bank

Financial - 0800 015 0012

Motor – 0344 209 0476 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/life-events/bereavement.html

M&S

Financial - 0345 9000 900

Motor – 0344 871 2349 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://bank.marksandspencer.com/help/life-events/bereavement-support/

Marsden Building Society

Financial - 01282 440500 Lines are open 9am to 4:45pm, Monday to Friday

MBNA

Financial - 0800 028 0691

Moorgate Loan Servicing

Secured loans: 0345 234 1050

Unsecured loans: 0345 234 1041

The Mortgage Works (TMW)

Financial - 08000 30 40 60

Nationwide - Bereavement Helpdesk

Financial - 0800 464 3018 Lines are open: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, 9am-12pm Saturday

NatWest - Bereavement Services Team

Financial - 0800 161 5903 (International +44 1204 684658) Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday

Nutshell

Motor - Webchat only Our Live Chat agents are available within My Account from 8am-8pm on weekdays, 9am-6pm on Saturdays and 10am-4pm on Sundays.

Paragon

Mortgages: 0345 849 4050

Motor finance: 0345 149 7770

Personal finance (secured): 0345 147 9303

Personal finance (unsecured): 0345 147 9304

Post Office

Motor – 0345 073 1002 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/help-support/motor-insurance

RAC

Motor – 0330 159 1031 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.rac.co.uk/insurance/car-insurance/existing-customers

Home Policies purchased before 27/07/2021 with no break in cover – 0330 159 0985 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.rac.co.uk/insurance/existing-customer#home

Home Policies purchased from 27/07/2021 – 0333 070 2667 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.rac.co.uk/insurance/existing-customer#home

RBS

Financial - 0800 161 5904 (International +44 1204 684659) Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday

Rothesay

Financial - https://www.rothesay.com/contact/

Santander

Motor – 0345 073 1002 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/insurance/car-insurance

Home – 0344 209 0491 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/insurance/making-an-insurance-claim

Financial - 0800 587 5870 Lines are open 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-2pm on Saturday.

Scottish Widows (Incl. Scottish Widows Bank)

Pensions, Life Insurance, Investments 0345 601 4179
Savings 0345 845 0829 (International +44 131 535 0460)
Mortgages 0345 845 8555 (International +44 131 535 0460)

All lines are open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm

Shawbrook Bank

Financial - 0339 123 2734 Lines are open: Monday – Friday 9am – 5:30pm excluding bank holidays.
bereavement@shawbrook.co.uk

St James's Place

0800 027 1031 (International +44 1268 443 931) Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday

UCB Home Loans Ltd

Financial - 0800 464 3014

Zenith

Motor – 0344 326 7573 Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Closed, Bank Holiday 9am–5pm

https://www.zenith-insure.com/get-in-touch

Security, ID&V and how we use your data

Q: Are personal details kept securely and confidentially?

A: Yes, the Death Notification Service will hold all information provided to us in a secure manner in accordance with our Data Privacy Policy which can be found here. An individual’s details will only be passed to the organisations stated on the notifications and will be transferred by secure means.  An Experian check will be completed to confirm the notifier’s identity to protect them and the person they are notifying us of from fraud. Personal details will not be shared with any other organisations and will not be used for any marketing purposes. 

Q: What checks will member organisations undertake to confirm the accuracy of the notification?

A: When a death is notified through the Death Notification Service, the service will validate the notification by undertaking checks of the information provided. The death of the customer will be checked against the General Records Office (GRO) database to confirm the death. Where a death cannot be validated against GRO Database, the notification will still be supplied to the relevant organisations but further checks and validation may be undertaken by them.


The notifier details will be validated using an Experian check. This will confirm that the notifier is a genuine person and that created details have not been entered in an effort to undertake fraudulent activity. All member organisations will be notified where a notifier fails an Experian check.

Q: Will the Experian check carried out affect the notifier’s credit rating?

A: No. We will only use the data to confirm the notifier’s identity and no credit check is carried out.