How much does this matter? The average person has 12–40 active subscriptions. Families who don't cancel within the first month often pay $200–$600 for services no one is using. Many services will refund unused portions with a death certificate.
Step 1 — Find every subscription first
Do a complete search before you start canceling. You will find services you didn't know existed.
- Bank statements — 3–6 months. Any recurring charge is a subscription.
- Credit card statements — every card. Many subscriptions are on cards the family doesn't know about.
- Email inbox — search "subscription," "renewal," "receipt," "billing," "your membership," "invoice"
- Phone apps — Settings → Subscriptions on iPhone or Google Play on Android
- PayPal — Settings → Payments → Manage Automatic Payments
Tip: Make a spreadsheet: Service | Monthly cost | How to cancel | Status. Work through it in one sitting — faster than trying to remember what you've already done.
The complete cancellation checklist
📺 Entertainment
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Apple TV+
- Peacock
- Paramount+
- Amazon Prime Video
- YouTube Premium
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Audible
- SiriusXM
🛒 Shopping & Delivery
- Amazon Prime
- Walmart+
- Costco membership
- Sam's Club
- HelloFresh / meal kits
- Wine clubs
- Book subscriptions
- Magazine subscriptions
- DoorDash DashPass
- Instacart+
- Beauty / subscription boxes
💻 Software & Tech
- Microsoft 365
- Google One / storage
- iCloud storage
- Dropbox
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Antivirus software
- Password manager
- VPN services
- Domain registrations
- Web hosting
- Zoom
🏋️ Health & Fitness
- Gym membership
- Peloton
- Weight Watchers / Noom
- Headspace / Calm
- Prescription mail delivery
- Supplement subscriptions
- Health insurance premiums
- Dental / vision plans
- Medicare supplement
📰 News & Reading
- New York Times
- Washington Post
- Wall Street Journal
- Local newspaper
- Kindle Unlimited
- Substack newsletters
🏠 Home & Utilities
- Security system / ADT
- Lawn / pest service
- Home warranty
- Internet service
- Cable / satellite TV
- Cell phone plan
- Landline
- Storage unit
- AAA membership
- AARP membership
How to cancel each type
Online streaming services
Log in using the deceased's email address (use "forgot password" if needed), go to Account Settings, and cancel the subscription. If you can't access the account, contact support with a death certificate — most will cancel and may refund recent charges.
Amazon Prime
Call 1-888-280-4331 or go to Account → Prime Membership → End Membership. Ask specifically for a prorated refund on annual memberships — Amazon regularly grants this with a death certificate.
Cell phone
Visit the carrier store in person with a death certificate. Contract obligations are typically waived on death. If on a family plan, the plan can be restructured to remove that line.
Gym memberships
Visit in person with a death certificate. Most gyms cancel immediately and waive cancellation fees. Get written confirmation of the cancellation date.
Phone script — what to say to any service
"Hello, I'm calling to cancel the account of [Name]. They passed away on [date]. I am their [son/daughter/spouse/executor]. I'd like to cancel effective [date of death] and request a refund of any charges after that date. Can you confirm the cancellation in writing to [your email]?"
Cancellation letter template
Copy and adapt this letter
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
Re: Account Cancellation — [Deceased's full name] — Account #[number if known]
Dear Customer Service,
I am writing to request cancellation of the above account. The account holder, [Full name], passed away on [date of death]. I am the [executor / surviving spouse / authorized family member] managing the estate.
Please cancel this account effective [date of death] and confirm the cancellation in writing. If any charges have been made after the date of death, please refund them to the payment method on file or provide instructions for estate reimbursement.
A copy of the death certificate is enclosed. Please contact me at [your phone/email] if you need additional documentation.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your relationship to deceased]
[Your phone] | [Your email]
Services that commonly issue refunds — always ask
- Amazon Prime — prorated refund on annual membership is common
- Costco / Sam's Club — prorated membership refund with death certificate
- Insurance premiums — refund of premiums paid after date of death
- Annual software — Adobe, Microsoft, antivirus — ask for prorated refund
- AAA — prorated refund of annual dues
Keep a record of every cancellation. Save confirmation emails. Write down the date and representative name for every call. If a service keeps billing after cancellation, this documentation is what you use to dispute the charges.
200+ tasks — not just subscriptions
Subscriptions are one category. The estate also involves bank accounts, probate, taxes, real property, government agencies, and digital accounts. Our guided walkthrough covers every task in the right order.
Get guided support from $199 →→ How to close bank accounts after a death | Complete Estate Guide | Free Checklist