It is important to know how to notify organisations of a death in Australia. It’s also helpful to compile a checklist of the people you’ll need to inform. You may well be asked by them to provide documentation confirming your loved one’s death and provide several forms of identification.
That’s where the Australian Death Notification Service (ADNS) can help. The ADNS is a collaboration of the Births, Deaths and Marriages registries across Australia. It aims to let people notify government and non-government agencies, organisations and institutions that someone has died, just the once.
What is a death notification service?
You can use this service once a death certificate has been issued for the person who has died.
If you’re using a funeral director, they will usually apply for the death certificate for you when they register the death. The death certificate can take up to 4 weeks to be issued.
Once you have the death certificate, you can transfer or cancel accounts at any time using the Australian Death Notification Service. You do not need to wait for probate.
How long it takes will depend on the organisation that holds the account that is being transferred or cancelled. Starting this process sooner can help save on account fees and reduce unwanted mail or email.
How to let organisations know that someone has died
The death of someone close to you can be a difficult time and there can be a lot to organise. The Australian Death Notification Service allows you to notify multiple organisations online that someone has died so their accounts can be closed or transferred.
Before you get started: A death certificate needs to have been issued for the person who died. However, you don’t need to have the certificate with you to use this service.
What information do you need
To use this service, you need to provide details of the person who died, including:
- full name
- date of birth
- date of death
- state or territory where they died
- last known residential address
Check statements, bills, and other important paperwork to find out where the person who died held accounts. This may help when choosing organisations and services to notify.
Who should you notify
A list of organisations to notify can be found on this link. They are divided into relevant categories.
About eziFunerals
eziFunerals supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals. We are an independent, Australian-owned and operated company. We are not part of any other funeral company.
Our member Funeral Directors operate in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Australia wide. They are chosen for their knowledge, quality, service, personalisation and experience. They go above and beyond, and will take the time to support the family.
For more information or to make contact with a trusted Independent funeral director, call eziFunerals on 1300 236 402 or visit www.ezifunerals.com.au.
