When a loved one passes away, it is your legal duty to notify the government and register the death. However, in such a trying time, the government’s ‘Tell Us Once’ service allows families peace of mind and removes additional administrative stress.
The Tell Us Once service is a free government resource that allows you to report a death to most government organisations in one go. Normally, when someone passes away, there is a long list of departments that need to be informed, from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to the local council.
This service acts as a central hub, meaning you do not have to send multiple copies of the death certificate or speak to dozens of different departments. At Welham Jones, we often see how this service provides a moment of relief for our clients, from Borough Green to Tonbridge who are already overwhelmed by the complexities of funeral arranging. It is a practical tool designed to demystify the administrative side of death.
After registering a death through Tell Us Once, the service notifies organisations such as:
How to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service
Once you have registered the death with the Registrar, which must happen within five days of the passing, they will provide you with a unique reference number. You will need this number to use the service online or by phone. You must use the service within 28 days of registering the death.
To make the process as smooth as possible, ensure you have the following details of the deceased to hand:
You can access the service via the GOV.UK portal. If you are currently working with a funeral director, such as one of our offices in Orpington and Chelsfield or Chislehurst and Bromley, our experienced team can offer guidance on when and how to initiate this step during the funeral arrangements.
While the service is highly efficient, there are some circumstances where it might not be available—for example, if the death occurred abroad or if the local registrar does not offer the service. In these cases, you will need to report the death to each organisation individually.
This involves contacting the DWP, HMRC, and the Passport Office separately. We understand that on top of arranging a funeral, this extra paperwork can feel daunting. If you find yourself in this position, your local funeral director can provide a checklist of who to contact to ensure nothing is missed.
Even after using Tell Us Once, there are private organisations that you must contact directly to close or transfer accounts. As an independent, family-run business serving West Kent and South East London for over 30 years, Welham Jones is dedicated to supporting you through these final details.
You will need to contact:
At Welham Jones, we believe the focus should remain on a meaningful farewell. Whether you are selecting coffins and caskets or discussing bespoke funeral packages to ease the future burden on your family, our father-and-daughter-led team is here to provide a supportive hand.
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