The Bereavement Register
The Bereavement Register is a free service that helps put a stop to direct mail being sent to people who have died, reducing the levels of distress caused to their relatives and friends.
We all receive direct mail from companies offering us their products and services. In life this can be an irritation but when someone dies the postman can become an unwelcome and upsetting visitor for the family that is left behind.
And this upset can turn to anguish when direct mail is targeted by fraudsters. Impersonation of the deceased and identity fraud are a national problem. All it takes is for a utility bill or credit card application sent after an individual has died to fall into the wrong hands for your loved one's identity to be stolen. Over the last six years The Bereavement Register has become instrumental in the fight against this disturbing and growing crime.
How to registerThere are three ways to register:
- When you register the death, the registrar will present all of the documents that you need in a folder called 'Registration Documents.' Inside the folder is a tear out slip which you can fill in and send off - there is no need for a stamp.
- Register online here by clicking www.thebereavementregister.co.uk
- Register by phoning 0870 600 7222 (National call rates apply).
What you can expect
The information you provide will be entered in The Bereavement Register as soon as it is received and will not be used for anything other than the purpose for which it was originally obtained - for companies to use the data internally for removing the names of deceased people from mailing lists and to help stop the theft of their identity for financial gain.
As a result, you should see a significant difference within six weeks and virtually no direct mail at all within six months.
If however, you continue to receive direct mail items, you can place them in an envelope and send them free of charge to the address below where the companies will be contacted directly on your behalf.
The Bereavement Register
FREEPOST
Sevenoaks
TN13 1XR
Can I stop mail I continue to receive for someone who died years ago?
Yes, the service works for all deaths no matter how long ago they occurred. Simply register using the methods above and don't forget to provide the deceased's date of death, that way the historical problem will be dealt with.
Further questions
If you have any further questions or would like more information you can write to:
The Bereavement Register
Lifecycle
1 Globeside Business Park
Fieldhouse Lane
Marlow
SL7 1HY