Report a Death

We understand this is a difficult time. This page explains how the 'Tell Us Once' service works and how you can contact Breckland Council directly if you have not used the service. 

Registering a death

Breckland Council does not register deaths. 
Death registrations in this area are carried out by Norfolk County Council. 
For more information, or to book an appointment to register a death, please visit the Norfolk County Council- Register a death page (opens new window)

Tell us Once service

The 'Tell Us Once' service is provided by the government and is designed to help make reporting a death easier, and take some of the stress away.
The Tell Us Once service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. Organisations that the service will notify include:

• Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) - to cancel benefits like Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - to deal with personal tax
• Us, your local council - to cancel benefits like Housing Benefit, to update Council Tax records, and to remove the person from the electoral register
• For more information and to use the Tell us Once service, please visit GOV.UK Tell Us Once (opens new window)

Report a death to us

If you have not used the Tell Us Once service, please let us know directly so we can update our records for Council Tax, Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit. 
You can contact us by:
Completing the Anglia Revenues Partnership- General Enquiry Form (opens new window) Select the option for Breckland Council, and then 'Breckland Council general enquiry form', where there is an option for 'Bereavement'.
Alternatively, you can phone us on 01362 656870.
Please provide the following details when contacting us:

• The full name and address of the person who has died
• The date of death 
• Your name and contact details 
• Your relationship to the person who has died
• Details of anyone still living in the property  

Updating the Electoral Register following a death

If someone who was registered to vote at a property in the Breckland area has died and you have not used 'Tell us Once', please inform Breckland Council's Electoral Services so that the register can be updated accordingly. 
You can complete the Electoral Services Notify of Resident Death form. (opens new window)
Alternatively, you can phone us on 01362 656870.
Electoral Services require a copy of the death certificate. If you are unable to provide this online, you can post a photocopy to our Dereham office: 
Electoral Services 
Breckland Council 
Elizabeth House 
Walpole Loke 
Dereham 
NR19 1EE 

Housing/Tenancy

If the person who has died was living in a housing association or council-managed property, please contact the relevant housing provider directly to update their records.

Rubbish and Recycling/Garden Waste

If the deceased held a paid garden waste subscription or had an assisted collection service, their account may need to be amended or cancelled. Please contact Serco on 0330 109 9220

Funeral Payments/Public Health Act Funerals

For information on funerals for persons where there are no family, friends, or funds to make the arrangements, or for information on funeral payments if you are on a low income, please visit Public Health Act Funerals

Support and Wellbeing

We understand that this can be a difficult time. If you need emotional support, practical help, or information about local bereavement services, Norfolk County Council Bereavement Support (opens new window) page provides details of organisations and services that can help you and your family cope and find the support you need.