The Institutions You Need to Notify After a Loved One Dies

The institutions that need formal notification after a death fall into four broad categories: government agencies, financial institutions, insurance providers, and service accounts. Government notifications include the Social Security Administration (which also handles Medicare), the IRS, the Department of Veterans Affairs if applicable, and the DMV for driver's license cancellation. Financial notifications cover every bank account, credit card, investment account, and retirement account the deceased held. Each requires a formal letter — often accompanied by a certified copy of the death certificate.

Insurance and service notifications are where many families lose track. Life, health, auto, and home insurance policies each need separate notice. So do utility accounts, phone and internet providers, and subscription services that may still be billing the estate. The total number of unique notifications for an average estate is typically between 20 and 35 — a number most families don't anticipate. Sedare generates institution-specific letters for 30+ of these in a single session, pre-filled with the deceased's verified information so nothing has to be typed more than once.