A crucial aspect of the funeral-planning process is the compilation of a comprehensive list of people who should be notified of your passing. While this may seem like an uncomfortable task, its importance cannot be overstated. This is because the absence of a list can lead to failure to notify all interested parties, which may carry financial, legal, or emotional implications for the loved ones that are left behind. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of compiling your death notification list so that you can rest assured that your loved ones will be able to focus on grieving and healing when the time comes, rather than trying to piece together a notification list.
Immediate Family Members
When creating your death notification list, we recommend that you prioritise your immediate family members, as they are likely the ones with whom you shared the deepest bonds of love and who will be profoundly affected by the news. Close family members to consider prioritising include any spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents. Moreover, we suggest that you put arrangements in place for someone to notify these people as soon as possible, in person, with the care and sensitivity that is required by the situation.
Extended Family and Close Friends
Next, we recommend considering the other individuals who have played a significant role in your life, including extended family members, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as your close friends. Since these relationships and connections have likely held special meaning to you throughout your life, the mode of notification should still be somewhat personal. As such, we suggest arranging for a trusted family member or friend to make personal phone calls to inform these people of your passing.
Professional Contacts
In addition to your loved ones, your employer, co-workers, supervisors, or business partners may also need to be notified of your passing. Your employer or business partners may be at the top of your list in this category, as notifying them without delay is important to ensuring that appropriate arrangements can be made for your workplace to keep functioning as smoothly as possible without you. In this section of your list, you may also want to include any co-workers who have worked closely with you or with whom you have formed friendships, as well as any clients who have played a significant role in your life. We suggest that you choose communication methods for each person in this section in accordance with the type of relationship that you had, as well as your level of closeness. Either a personalised email or phone call may be appropriate, depending on these factors.
Advisors
It is also important to notify people like your lawyer, accountant, and financial advisor of your passing, as their expertise may be required to ensure the proper handling of your affairs. Here, your lawyer should be prioritised, as they will likely have access to your will and other estate planning documents that will allow them to initiate the necessary legal processes, notify the executors of your estate, ensure that your wishes are carried out, and assist your loved ones with any legal questions that arise. Similarly, your accountant and financial advisor should be informed of your passing so that they can guide your loved ones through any financial matters, including the completion of tax returns, management of investments, or settlement of any outstanding obligations. The notification process here may involve a phone call, followed by a meeting to discuss the situation more comprehensively.
Government Agencies
Depending on the legal framework that exists in your country, there may be specific requirements for notifying government agencies of your death. For example, most countries require that a death be registered with the Births, Deaths, and Marriages department within a certain timeframe. Other common agencies that will need to be notified may include the social security department, the transport department, the taxation department, and the post office. We encourage you to do some research into which departments you are required to notify, as well as the modes of notification they require, and to include these details in your death notification list.
Service Providers and Subscriptions
It would also be beneficial for you to include the details of any regular service providers, such as doctors, utilities, internet providers, streaming services, and other active subscriptions in your list. These entities will need to be notified so that any outstanding bills can be settled, and the accumulation of further charges can be avoided.
Online Platforms
If you are a member of any online platforms, including social media sites and email accounts, we suggest that you record any access information and designate a trusted person to manage these after your passing or explore account closures or memorialisation.
Other Contacts
Lastly, you may want to think about recording any social groups, clubs, organisations, or religious institutions that you are a part of, as well as including the details of other acquaintances like your neighbours.
Next Steps
As you now appreciate just how important a death notification list is and understand the considerations that apply, we encourage you to start thinking about crafting yours today and suggest that you get My Final Farewell to assist you in recording your list.
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