The government provides a helpful service called “Tell us Once” that allows you to report a death to most government organisations in one go. This service is available in Southend and most other boroughs but if you are registering a death outside the Southend area the registrar will confirm whether the service is available in your area. The registrar will also give you a contact phone number for the service and a unique reference number to use either on the phone of for the Tell Us Once service online.

You have 24 days after registering a death to make use of this service.

Before using the Tell Us Once service

If you are planning to use the Tell Us Once service and you have your Unique Reference Number from the Registrar please prepare the documents and the information about the deceased listed below before you contact the service.

  • Date of birth
  • National Insurance number
  • Driving licence number
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Passport number
  • The name and address of their next of kin
  • The name and address of any surviving spouse or civil partner
  • The name, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money), known as their ‘executor’ or ‘administrator’
  • Details of any local council services they were getting, for example Blue Badge
  • Details of any benefits or entitlements they were getting, for example State Pension
  • Details of any public sector or armed forces pension schemes they were getting or paying in to

Important

Please note that you will need the permission of the next of kin, the executor, the administrator or anyone who was claiming joint benefits or entitlements with the deceased before you give their details to anyone.

The Tell Us Once service will contact the following organisations for you

  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – to deal with personal tax
  • Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – to cancel benefits, for example Income Support
  • Passport Office – to cancel a British passport
  • The local council – to cancel Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, a Blue Badge, to remove the person from the electoral register and to inform council housing services
  • Veterans UK – to cancel Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments
  • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) – to cancel a licence and remove the person as the keeper of up to 5 vehicles 

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you about the tax, benefits and entitlements of the person who died.

Tell Us Once will also contact some public sector pension schemes in order to cancel future pension payments. These include:

  • Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  • NHS Pension Scheme
  • pension schemes for NHS staff, teachers, police and firefighters in Scotland
  • My Civil Service Pension
  • local authority pension schemes, except where Tell Us Once is not available
Where can I register?
Online Registration
0800 085 7308
Opening hours Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
Useful Contacts

Can we help you?

If you wish to talk to one of our funeral arrangers about our services please get in touch.
01702 436000 Contact us online Get A Bespoke Quote

What to do next

All the contacts and details you will need

Testimonials

We would like to thank you for your compassionate and caring handling of the funeral of Alan Jones.

Myself, Colin, Ian and all the family found the experience a lot easier to cope with, your calm and professional attitude was very much appreciated

Sheila, Colin and Ian Jones and Family - May 2019

My dear Helen’s celebrant recommended that we use Penrose Funerals for her ceremony. Jeremy and Nathan were kind, professional and respectful in every way. It was a great recommendation and I would not hesitate to recommend this family firm to all who need sensitive reassurance at a difficult time.

Simon Lawler - April 2023

Thank you for your sensitive care and support at a very difficult time

May C. and Family - Nov 2018
My family and friends want to thank sincerely all the staff at Penrose for being so compassionate, professional and sensitive with fulfilling our wishes to celebrate the life of Margaret Rose Shales.

Penrose showed respect taking us through the detailed procedure with personal delicacy enabling us to honour a special woman.

I would highly recommend the family run business, and my father wishes are to use Penrose as he can guarantee a perfect ceremony.

Thank you.

Janice Shales - June 2022

To Jeremy, Nathan, Brendon, Jon and the test of the team,

Thank you! for your friendly and efficient service, from when you first arrived to take dad into your care to the end of the funeral. We would definitely recommend you. Much appreciated.

Patricia and Michelle - December 2021

Dear Brendon,

Just a note to say how much I appreciate you sending the order of service to New Zealand for Joanna …. I had not realised that she had passed and for you to provide the Order of Service so long after the event was very kind of you.

Thank you again for your kindness and effort,

Anna Slater - December 2021

Nathan, Brendon, Jeremy and all staff at Penrose,

Thank you for your incredible professionalism and great service during a difficult and challenging time.

Mum would have been so proud,

All our love,

Beryl’s Family - April 2020

To all at Penrose

We want to say a huge thank you for helping us through this difficult time. The day was so well organised and was a perfect tribute to our wonderful dad, Michael Bish.

All of your staff were so kind and caring throughout and the attention to detail on the day put us all at ease.

Thanks again and best wishes,

Steve and the Bish Family -
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