You might choose to take this task on yourself, or ask someone you trust to help you inform people. 

Months or even years later, you may still receive mail, bills or calls in the person’s name from people or companies who haven't yet updated their records. This can be upsetting, or strangely comforting, depending on the moment. 

“It never ceases to amaze me, even years later, how letters can still occasionally arrive for him. It always feels so strange.” “My son received a small bill three months after he died. I went to the post office to pay. The lady at the counter asked me who I was paying it for. I said ‘my son’, I didn’t tell her he’d died. It felt really good to say his name out loud and casually say ‘oh yes, I’m paying his bill,’ as if it was a normal thing to do. Inside myself, I knew it was the last time I’d be doing this. No more bills would be arriving.” — Anonymous  

Notifying people and organisations about the person’s passing can be a long and challenging process, emotionally and practically. You don’t have to do it all right away, and you don’t have to do it alone. Please remember to ask for help when you need it. Grief comes in waves, even when sorting through everyday tasks. 

To keep things manageable, it might be helpful to: 

• Use the person’s private papers, emails, or records to build a list of who needs to be contacted 
• Keep track of each organisation’s contact information, and any reference numbers 
• Ask someone to help with phone calls, or following up with others.

You might consider using myTrove, a free online service that helps you notify multiple organisations at once after someone has died. With a single form, you can update agencies such as the Department of Internal Affairs, Inland Revenue, banks, insurers, and more. 

Through myTrove, you can also: 

• Cancel a person’s passport 
• Advise utility companies to disconnect or transfer accounts

This can save you time and reduce some of the admin stress at a difficult time. For more information, visit mytrove.co.nz.