Reporting a Death to Authorities – DVV, Kela, Tax Administration and Banks
· 4 min read
Automatic notifications
When a person dies in Finland, most official notifications are handled automatically. The family does not need to take care of all notifications themselves -- the system forwards the information.
Notification chain
- The doctor certifies the death and writes the death certificate
- DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) registers the death in the population information system
- DVV forwards the information automatically to:
- Kela -- benefits are suspended and survivor benefits are activated
- Tax Administration -- the estate becomes a taxpayer
- Finnish Centre for Pensions -- pension payments cease
- Banks -- accounts are frozen (usually within 1--5 business days)
This automatic notification chain works reliably, but it may take a few business days to process.
Notifications that are the family's responsibility
Although authorities receive the information automatically, many private parties and service providers require the family to make contact.
During the first week
- The deceased's employer -- stopping salary payments, group life insurance
- Your own employer -- paid leave due to the death of a close relative
- Landlord or housing company -- the apartment situation and charges
- Phone operator -- cancellation or transfer of the subscription
During the first month
- Electricity, water, and district heating company -- contract transfer or cancellation
- Traficom -- vehicle registry change
- Mail forwarding -- possible mail forwarding to the estate representative
- Newspapers and subscriptions -- cancellation and possible refund
Digital services
- Email accounts -- see digital legacy
- Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram)
- Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify)
- Online shop accounts
Notifying banks
Handling banking matters is one of the first practical tasks. Although the bank receives notification from DVV, it is advisable for the family to contact the bank proactively.
What the bank needs
- Official certificate or DVV's certificate of death
- List of shareholders or genealogical extract
- Identity document from the transacting shareholder
Practical steps
- Call the bank's estate services
- Determine the deceased's accounts, loans, and services
- Request a bank certificate for the estate inventory
- Arrange payment of estate bills
- Cancel online banking and cards
Notifying insurance companies
Handling insurance matters is important both for claiming compensation and for avoiding unnecessary payments.
Actions
- Determine the deceased's insurance policies -- life, home, car, travel, and accident insurance
- Claim life insurance -- death certificate and beneficiary information
- Keep home insurance in effect -- protect property during the home clearance
- Cancel unnecessary policies -- travel and accident insurance
Timeline and checklist
| Timing | Action | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic | Death registration | DVV, Kela, Tax Administration |
| Days 1--3 | Employer notification | The deceased's and your own employer |
| Week 1 | Bank contact | All banks |
| Week 1 | Insurance companies | All insurance companies |
| Weeks 1--2 | Landlord/housing company | Property manager |
| Month 1 | Phone operator | Operator |
| Month 1 | Traficom, electricity company | Service providers |
| Months 1--3 | Digital services | Social media, email, subscriptions |
Key things to remember
- Keep all correspondence and receipts from notifications
- Record the dates, whom you contacted, and what was agreed
- Always request written confirmation of cancellations
- Do not cancel everything immediately -- first determine what the estate needs
Read more about first steps after a loved one's death and the estate inventory deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the doctor notify about the death?
The doctor submits the death certificate to DVV, which forwards the information automatically to Kela, the Tax Administration, and pension institutions.
Does the bank need to be notified separately?
The bank receives the information from DVV, but contacting them speeds up the handling of matters. Contact the bank during the first week.
How does the Tax Administration learn about the death?
The Tax Administration receives the information automatically from DVV. The estate inventory deed must be submitted to the Tax Administration within one month of the estate inventory.
Which digital services need to be closed?
Email, social media, streaming services, and online shops. Read more in our digital legacy guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the doctor notify about the death?
The doctor writes the death certificate and submits it to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). DVV registers the death in the population information system and forwards the information automatically to other authorities, such as Kela, the Tax Administration, and the Finnish Centre for Pensions. The family does not need to notify these authorities themselves.
Does the bank need to be notified of the death?
The bank receives notification from DVV usually within 1–5 business days, but the family should still contact the bank as soon as possible. Contacting the bank speeds up handling of the estate's affairs and prevents misuse. The bank requires an official certificate and a list of shareholders.
How does the Tax Administration learn about the death?
The Tax Administration receives the information automatically from DVV. The deceased's final tax return is filed for the year of death as normal. The estate is taxed as a separate taxpayer in the year of death and thereafter until the inheritance has been distributed. The estate inventory deed must be submitted to the Tax Administration within one month of the estate inventory.
Should the employer be notified of the death?
The deceased's employer should be notified as soon as possible. The employer will stop salary payments, investigate group life insurance, and calculate the final salary including holiday compensation. Notifying your own employer is important due to absence – the death of a close relative entitles you to paid leave in most collective agreements.
What other parties should be informed?
Other parties include the phone operator, electricity and water companies, the landlord or housing company, the vehicle registry (Traficom), the library, associations, and newspapers. Digital services such as email, social media, and subscription services should also be closed or transferred.
Read also
A practical guide to the first hours after a loved one's death. Who to contact, what documents you need, and how to take care of yourself.
A clear guide to estate banking matters: the deceased's account, paying bills, bank-specific instructions and required documents.
A guide to handling insurance matters after a loved one's death: claiming life insurance, group life insurance, cancelling policies, and Kela benefits.