How to Stop Mail for a Deceased Person

Mail addressed to someone who has died keeps coming until each list that holds the name is told. Any relative, friend or caregiver can do the first and last steps below. Forwarding the person's mail to a new address takes the executor, and a credit bureau will want to hear from a spouse or legal representative.

How do I stop mail for someone who has died?

Four steps, starting with the one that reaches the most senders at once.

What is the Deceased Do Not Contact list?

It is a list of people who have died that the ANA sends every month to subscribing companies and nonprofits, whether or not they are ANA members, for one purpose: removing those names from marketing and fundraising lists. USPS still credits it to the Data & Marketing Association, which is now part of the ANA. Registering costs $6 and takes an email address to verify.

It works only with organizations that subscribe. And bills and account statements aren't marketing, so the companies that send them need to hear from you directly (step 4).

Can I forward a deceased person's mail to my address?

Only if you are the appointed executor or administrator, and only in person. USPS requires documented proof of that appointment at a Post Office and says “simply having their death certificate is not enough.” There is no online option.

Forwarding generally lasts 12 months, and it won't carry the junk mail along: advertising mail is forwarded only when the sender printed an endorsement asking for it, and otherwise USPS throws it away. Use the steps above to stop advertising mail at the source.

If you shared the address, you don't need to forward anything: anyone who normally receives mail there may receive mail addressed to the person who died. You can also send single pieces on to the executor by writing “Forward to” and the new address on the envelope.

Should I write “Deceased, return to sender” on the mail?

It helps with First-Class Mail such as letters and statements. Unopened mail can be refused and handed back to the carrier, and refused First-Class Mail goes back to the sender at no charge, which tells the sender something has changed.

Advertising mail usually doesn't make the trip. USPS returns it only when the sender printed an endorsement such as “Return Service Requested”; otherwise the piece is thrown away and the sender never hears about it. That is why the Deceased Do Not Contact list does more for advertising mail than marking envelopes.

What mail can't be stopped?

Flyers addressed to “Postal Customer,” with no name or street address. Mail that prints the street address with “Current Resident” is different: it comes from a list, and coupon mailers such as Valpak and Save have opt-out forms (see our guide to stopping junk mail).