The death of a spouse can be a devastating event. Losing a loved one is an emotional event filled with shock and grief. While dealing with these emotions, you will have to make funeral and burial arrangements, take care of financial affairs caused by your spouse's passing and make the necessary contacts to insurance companies to have policies switched to your name. There are also small tasks, such as notifying the post office of your spouse's death.
Step 1
Obtain an address change form from your local U.S. post office. While this form will not stop the post office from delivering mail, you can use it to notify the post office of your spouse's passing and have the mail forwarded to an executor or other person.
Step 2
Complete the address change form with your spouse's current address, and the new address where the mail will be delivered, if you plan to forward your spouse's mail to a friend or family member. The mail may also be forwarded to a third party, such as the executor of your spouse's estate.
Step 3
Register your spouse's name on the Direct Marketing Association's "Deceased--Do Not Contact" list. There is a form on the Direct Marketing Association's website where you can enter your spouse's contact information, as well as your own physical address and email address, to register your spouse. Direct Marketing Association members must honor the list by refraining from mailing marketing materials to people on the list.
Tips and Warnings
- Contact your spouse's financial institutions, insurance companies and debtors before forwarding your spouse's mail to an executor, friend or family member. You may be responsible for debts and other financial obligations left behind by your spouse.
Things You'll Need
- Address change form
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