How to stop mail for someone who is deceased
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.
Stopping mail delivery for someone who has passed away can be a bit of a process, but I'm here to guide you through it. Here are the steps:
1. Notify the USPS (United States Postal Service)
You'll need to contact the USPS to report the death and request that mail delivery be stopped. You can do this by:
a. Visiting your local post office and speaking with a postal employee. b. Calling the USPS Customer Service number at 1-800-275-8777 (1-800-ASK-USPS). c. Filling out the "Request to Discontinue Mail Delivery" form (PS Form 3575) and mailing it to the USPS.
2. Provide necessary documentation
To verify the person's passing, you may need to provide:
a. A copy of the death certificate. b. A letter from the funeral home or a mortuary. c. A copy of the obituary notice.
3. Update the address
If the deceased person had a PO box or a mailbox, you'll need to update the address to reflect the change. You can do this by:
a. Visiting your local post office and speaking with a postal employee. b. Filing a change of address form (PS Form 3575) with the USPS.
4. Notify other relevant parties
It's a good idea to notify other parties that may be sending mail to the deceased person, such as:
a. Banks and financial institutions. b. Credit card companies. c. Insurance companies. d. Utility providers (e.g., electricity, gas, water).
5. Consider forwarding mail (optional)
If you'd like to receive any outstanding mail or packages sent to the deceased person, you can request that the USPS forward them to you. You can do this by:
a. Filing a forwarding request with the USPS. b. Providing a forwarding address.
Additional tips
- If the deceased person had a subscription to a magazine or newspaper, you may need to contact the publication directly to cancel the subscription.
- If the deceased person had a PO box or mailbox, you may need to contact the post office or mailbox provider to cancel the service.
- Keep in mind that it may take some time for the USPS to process your request and stop mail delivery.
I hope this helps. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to ask!