Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging time, often compounded by the practicalities of managing their affairs. The UK government's Tell Us Once service aims to ease this burden by streamlining the process of notifying multiple government departments about a death. This blog post will explore how Tell Us Once works and how it can help bereaved families during a difficult period.
What is Tell Us Once?
Tell Us Once is a free service that allows you to report a death to most government organisations in one go. This saves time and reduces stress by eliminating the need to contact multiple departments separately.
How Does it Work?
Register the death: You'll need to register the death before using Tell Me Once.
Get a unique reference number: The registrar will provide this when you register the death.
Use the service online or by phone: Choose the method that's most convenient for you.
Provide necessary information: You'll need details about the deceased, including their National Insurance number and date of birth.
Which Organisations are Notified?
Tell Us Once informs various departments, including:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Passport Office
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- Local council services
Benefits of Using Tell Me Once
- Time-saving: Avoid contacting multiple organisations individually.
- Stress reduction: Simplify a potentially overwhelming process.
- Accuracy: Ensure all relevant departments are informed correctly.
- Support: Access to information about benefits and support services.
What You'll Need
To use Tell Us Once, gather the following information about the deceased:
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Driving licence number
- Passport number
- Details of any benefits or entitlements they were receiving
- Details of any local council services they were receiving
Limitations
While Tell Us Once is comprehensive, it doesn't cover everything. You may still need to contact some organisations separately, such as banks, utility companies, and private pension providers.
Conclusion
Tell Us Once is a valuable service that can significantly reduce the administrative burden on bereaved families. By simplifying the process of notifying government departments, it allows more time and energy to be devoted to the emotional aspects of loss and remembrance.
At Funeral Speech we understand the importance of focusing on honouring your loved one during this difficult time. Our eulogy writing service can help you create a heartfelt tribute, allowing you to concentrate on what matters most – celebrating the life of the person you've lost. For more guidance on writing a meaningful eulogy, visit our eulogy writing tips page.
https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once