How to Cancel Subscriptions and Close Accounts After Someone Dies

Why Is Canceling Subscriptions and Closing Accounts After a Death So Urgent?

When someone dies, their subscriptions don't stop billing, their bank accounts don't close themselves, and their personal data doesn't disappear. Every recurring charge that continues draining a deceased person's bank account is money taken directly from their estate — money that should go to their family, not to a streaming service no one is watching. According to a 2024 CNET survey conducted by YouGov, the average American spends $91 per month on subscription services alone, adding up to $1,092 per year (CNET, 2024). Now imagine several months of those charges continuing unchecked after death.

The financial drain is only part of the problem. Accounts left open after death create serious identity theft risks. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center and IRS data, nearly 2.5 million deceased Americans have their identities stolen each year through a practice known as "ghosting," where criminals use a dead person's personal information to open credit cards, take out loans, or file fraudulent tax returns (ITRC, 2018). An active email account, an open bank account, or an untouched credit card can provide everything a thief needs.

The challenge for grieving families is that no single master switch exists. You have to contact every company individually, provide documentation for each one, and navigate different policies and hold times while dealing with emotional exhaustion. This guide is designed to make that process as organized and manageable as possible. If you're also dealing with broader end-of-life logistics, our funeral planning checklist covers the full picture.

What Documents Do You Need Before You Start?

You will need a small set of core documents for virtually every cancellation and account closure. Gathering these upfront saves enormous time and frustration. Most institutions require at least a certified copy of the death certificate, and many also need proof that you have legal authority to act on behalf of the deceased.

How Many Death Certificates Should You Order?

Experts consistently recommend ordering 10 to 20 certified copies of the death certificate. Banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and many subscription services each require their own copy, and some will not return the original. Certified copies typically cost between $5 and $25 each depending on the state, and can be ordered through the funeral home at the time of death or later from the vital records office in the county or state where the death occurred (National Cremation Society). Ordering too few and having to reorder later delays everything else.

What Other Documents Will Institutions Ask For?

Beyond the death certificate, be prepared with the following: your own government-issued photo ID, Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration issued by the probate court (which prove you are the legally appointed executor or administrator of the estate), a copy of the will if one exists, the deceased person's Social Security number, and account numbers or billing statements for each service you need to cancel. If the estate is going through probate, the court-issued letters are the single most important document — many banks and financial institutions will not act without them.

What Should You Cancel in the First 24 to 48 Hours?

The first two days after a death are for addressing the most time-sensitive accounts — those where delays could cause immediate financial harm or legal complications. Not everything needs to happen immediately, but a few critical notifications should not wait.

Why Should You Notify the Social Security Administration First?

The Social Security Administration should be contacted as soon as possible. In most cases, the funeral home will report the death to the SSA, but you should confirm this was done. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 — they do not accept reports of death online or by email (SSA). Any Social Security benefits paid after the month of death must be returned, and a surviving spouse or dependent child may be eligible for a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 as well as ongoing survivor benefits. Delaying this notification can lead to benefit overpayments that the government will later reclaim from the estate.

Why Should You Notify Banks and Credit Card Companies Immediately?

Contact the deceased person's bank and credit card issuers within the first 48 hours. For individually held bank accounts, the bank will typically freeze the account once it receives the death certificate, preventing withdrawals but also stopping unauthorized access. Joint accounts generally pass to the surviving account holder automatically. For credit cards, call the issuer to report the death, freeze the account, and prevent further charges. Any authorized users must stop using the card immediately — continued use after the cardholder's death can create legal liability (Bank of America). Request a final statement so the estate can settle any outstanding balance.

How Do You Notify the Three Credit Bureaus?

Reporting the death to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion places a "deceased" flag on the person's credit file, which is one of the strongest protections against ghosting fraud. You only need to contact one bureau — they share the notification — but many estate professionals recommend contacting all three for faster processing. Send a certified copy of the death certificate to each bureau: Experian at P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013; Equifax at P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, GA 30348; and TransUnion at P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016. You can also request a copy of the deceased's credit report to check for any existing fraudulent activity (Experian, 2024).

What Should You Cancel in the First Week?

Once the most urgent financial notifications are handled, the next priority is stopping all recurring charges. This is where the "subscription creep" problem becomes painfully visible — you'll likely discover charges you didn't even know existed.

How Do You Find All of a Deceased Person's Subscriptions?

The most reliable method is reviewing the deceased person's bank and credit card statements from the past three months. Look for recurring charges to companies like Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Google, gym memberships, meal kits, software services, and news publications. Also check their email inbox for subscription confirmation emails and renewal notices. If you have access to their phone, look at the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) subscriptions section, which shows all active app-based subscriptions. According to a 2025 Bango report, the average American pays for 5.4 subscriptions (Bango, 2025), but the actual number is often higher once you include services people forget about — a 2025 CNET survey found that Americans waste nearly $200 per year on unused subscriptions they've forgotten (CNET, 2025).

How Do You Cancel Streaming Services Like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+?

Streaming services are usually the easiest subscriptions to cancel, but each has its own process. For Netflix, if you have access to the account, simply go to the Account page and click "Cancel Membership." If you don't have login access, contact Netflix customer support with the email address or phone number on the account and the payment method details (Netflix Help). For Spotify, you can log into the account and cancel through the Subscription page, or contact Spotify Support with the death certificate and billing information. For Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+, and Peacock, the process is similar: log in if possible, or contact customer support with proof of death. None of these platforms charge cancellation fees, and most will stop billing immediately rather than at the end of the billing cycle when you explain the circumstances.

How Do You Close an Amazon Account After Someone Dies?

Amazon has a dedicated bereavement support process. Email bereavement-support-cs@amazon.com with a copy of the death certificate, official authorization proving you are the executor or next of kin, a valid ID, and the email address associated with the Amazon account (Amazon). Amazon can close the account, cancel Prime and any Subscribe & Save orders, and in some cases process refunds for recent charges. If you cannot provide full authorization documents, Amazon can still help with terminating subscriptions and stopping recurring deliveries.

What About Software and App Subscriptions?

Don't overlook subscriptions managed through Apple's App Store or Google Play. On an iPhone, go to Settings > [name] > Subscriptions to see and cancel all active subscriptions. On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Payments & Subscriptions > Subscriptions. Common app-based subscriptions include cloud storage (iCloud+, Google One, Dropbox), productivity tools (Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud), dating apps, fitness apps, and news publications. Each of these will continue billing unless explicitly canceled.

What Should You Cancel in the First Month?

The first month is for systematically working through the full range of accounts — utilities, insurance, memberships, and government programs. By this point, you should have your core documents in hand and a clear picture of the deceased person's financial footprint.

How Do You Handle Utility Accounts?

Utility accounts — electricity, gas, water, internet, and phone — need to be either transferred to a surviving household member or canceled. Call each provider's customer service line with the account number (from a recent bill) and a copy of the death certificate. If someone else is staying in the home, ask to transfer the account into their name rather than closing and reopening it, which avoids service interruptions and new deposits. For phone service, major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have specific bereavement or deceased-account processes accessible through their support pages. Cell phone plans in particular should be addressed quickly to stop monthly charges, though you may want to keep the number active temporarily if it's needed for two-factor authentication on other accounts.

How Do You Handle Insurance Policies?

Contact all insurance providers — health, life, auto, homeowner's, and any supplemental policies. For life insurance, you're filing a claim rather than canceling, and you'll need the policy number, the death certificate, and the claimant's identification. Life insurance benefits are typically paid within 30 to 60 days of filing a complete claim. For health insurance, notify the insurer of the death to stop premiums and understand any final bills. If the deceased was the primary policyholder on an auto or homeowner's policy that also covers a surviving spouse, contact the insurer about transferring the policy rather than canceling it, which avoids a coverage gap.

How Do You Cancel Memberships and Loyalty Programs?

Gym memberships, warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club), professional associations, alumni organizations, and loyalty programs all need attention. Gyms are notorious for making cancellation difficult even for living members, so be prepared to send a certified letter with a death certificate if phone cancellation proves difficult. For airline miles and hotel points, policies vary significantly. Some programs (like Southwest Rapid Rewards and certain Hilton programs) allow points to be transferred to a family member with a death certificate. Others expire the points with the account. Contact each loyalty program individually — the value of accumulated miles and points can be substantial.

What About Bank Accounts, Investment Accounts, and Retirement Funds?

Financial accounts are among the most complex to close because they are subject to probate law, beneficiary designations, and federal regulations. The process depends heavily on how the account was structured.

How Does Probate Affect Closing a Bank Account?

If the deceased held a bank account solely in their own name with no payable-on-death (POD) beneficiary, the account typically becomes part of the probate estate. The bank will freeze the account once it receives the death certificate, and no withdrawals can be made until the court appoints an executor or administrator and issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Only then can the executor access the funds, pay the estate's debts, and distribute the remainder to heirs. Joint accounts with right of survivorship automatically pass to the surviving account holder and do not go through probate (U.S. News, 2024).

What About Retirement and Investment Accounts?

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as brokerage accounts, typically pass according to the beneficiary designation on file with the financial institution — not the will. This means the named beneficiary can claim the account by contacting the provider directly with a death certificate and their own identification, often without going through probate. If no beneficiary was designated, the account falls into the estate and goes through probate. Contact each financial institution to determine the account type, named beneficiaries, and specific procedures for transfer or closure. For a broader discussion of digital financial assets, see our guide on what happens to cryptocurrency when you die.

How Do You Handle Email and Social Media Accounts?

Digital accounts require their own set of procedures, and each platform has different rules. Email is especially important because it's the gateway to discovering and resetting other accounts.

What Should You Do About Email Accounts?

If you know the deceased's email password, access the inbox immediately and use it to identify other accounts, subscriptions, and financial obligations you might have missed. If you don't have the password, your options depend on the provider. Google offers an Inactive Account Manager tool for advance planning, and families can submit a formal deceased-user request. Microsoft requires a subpoena or court order. Yahoo permits only account closure with a death certificate, and content access requires a U.S. court order. We covered these differences in detail in our guide on what happens to your email accounts when you die.

What About Social Media Profiles?

Facebook and Instagram allow you to either memorialize the account (preserving the profile with a "Remembering" banner) or permanently delete it. You'll need a death certificate and a link to the profile. Twitter/X will deactivate a deceased user's account upon request from an immediate family member. LinkedIn offers both memorialization and closure. TikTok can memorialize or delete accounts with appropriate documentation. For a comprehensive look at social media after death, see our guide on what happens to social media accounts when you die.

What Does a Complete Cancellation Checklist Look Like?

Having everything in one place makes the process far more manageable. The table below organizes every major account type by category, along with what you'll typically need and the recommended timeframe for action.

How Can You Make This Easier for Your Own Family Someday?

The most compassionate thing you can do for the people who will handle your affairs is to leave them a clear, organized record of your accounts before you die. The families who struggle most are the ones who have to piece together a loved one's entire financial and digital life from scratch — searching through mail, guessing at email passwords, and calling companies without account numbers.

What Should an Account List Include?

Create a document that lists every account you hold: the company name, your username or account number, the email address associated with it, and what you want done with the account (close it, transfer it, or leave it). You don't necessarily need to include passwords in this document — a password manager with emergency access is a more secure solution — but you should note which password manager you use and how your executor can gain access to it. NordPass estimates the average person has about 100 online accounts (CNN, 2024), so this list will be longer than you expect. Keep it updated at least once a year.

Why Should You Record a Personal Message Alongside Your Account Information?

An account list is practical. But your family will also need something personal — an explanation of why you organized things this way, a note about which accounts hold sentimental value (like a photo-heavy email or a Spotify playlist you built for your kids), and a simple expression of love. A spreadsheet of passwords doesn't say "I thought about you." A video message does. If you're considering leaving something more personal behind, you can explore how to record a video message for your family or learn about what an afterlife message is and how it works.

What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Even well-intentioned family members make errors during the account-closure process that can create legal, financial, or emotional problems. Knowing the most common mistakes helps you avoid them.

Is It Legal to Use a Deceased Person's Login Credentials?

This is a gray area that catches many families off guard. While logging into a deceased person's accounts using their passwords feels intuitive, it may technically violate the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) or the platform's Terms of Service. In practice, prosecutors rarely pursue family members for this, and RUFADAA (enacted in 46 states plus D.C.) provides a legal framework for fiduciary access. However, if you're the executor, the safest approach is to use the official processes each company offers for deceased account holders rather than logging in yourself. This protects you legally and ensures any actions you take are documented (Nolo).

Why Shouldn't You Close Everything at Once?

It's tempting to cancel everything immediately, but some accounts should stay open temporarily. The deceased person's email should remain accessible as long as possible because it's your primary tool for discovering other accounts and receiving important notifications. Bank accounts may need to stay open to receive final paychecks, tax refunds, or insurance payouts. The cell phone number may be needed for two-factor authentication on other services. Take a strategic, prioritized approach rather than closing everything on day one.

What Happens If You Ignore Accounts Entirely?

Doing nothing is the worst option. Subscription charges will continue until the payment method fails, potentially draining hundreds or thousands of dollars from the estate. The identity theft risk grows with every month an account remains unmonitored. And some accounts — particularly financial ones — may be subject to state unclaimed property laws, where funds are eventually turned over to the state government if no one claims them. According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, states collectively hold more than $80 billion in unclaimed property (NAUPA).

Conclusion

Canceling subscriptions and closing accounts after someone dies is one of the most tedious but essential tasks a family faces. It protects the estate from unnecessary charges, guards against identity theft, and brings a measure of closure to the practical side of loss. The process is made enormously easier when the deceased left behind an organized record of their accounts — and made enormously harder when they didn't.

The most important steps are to gather your documents early (order at least 10 certified death certificates), prioritize government agencies and financial institutions in the first 48 hours, systematically work through subscriptions and digital accounts over the first few weeks, and use the deceased's email and bank statements as your discovery tools. For the complete picture of digital legacy planning, our comprehensive guide covers everything from passwords to social media to cryptocurrency.

And if you're reading this not because someone has died, but because you want to spare your family from this burden someday — that impulse is one of the kindest things you can act on. Create your account list. Set up your password manager's emergency access. And consider leaving something more than a spreadsheet behind.