Cancelling Subscriptions After Death: A Practical Guide

Most of us subscribe to far more digital services than we realise — and after someone dies, those subscriptions continue charging unless actively cancelled. Dealing with streaming services, music platforms, and software subscriptions might feel minor compared to probate and funeral arrangements, but uncancelled subscriptions can drain the estate for months. This guide walks through how to find every subscription and cancel each one efficiently.

How to find all subscriptions

Before you can cancel anything, you need to know what exists. The most reliable method is to go through the deceased's bank statements and credit card statements for the past three months, looking for any recurring charges — these will typically appear on the same date each month or year. Write down each service, the amount, and the billing frequency.

The deceased's email inbox is the second essential source. Search for terms including "subscription", "receipt", "renewal", "invoice", and "billing". Most subscription services send confirmation emails when a subscription begins and reminder emails before annual renewals. These emails will typically contain the account email address used to register, which you will need when contacting the provider.

If the deceased used an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, tap the Apple ID name at the top, then "Subscriptions" — this shows every active Apple subscription and third-party subscription managed through Apple, including Apple TV+, Apple Music, and any apps billed through the App Store. On Android devices, open the Google Play Store, tap the account icon, then "Payments and subscriptions" to see Google-managed subscriptions.

Major streaming services: specific cancellation processes

Each major streaming service has a slightly different process, but most will cancel an account upon receiving notification of a death and, in some cases, a copy of the death certificate.

Netflix: If you have access to the deceased's login credentials, the simplest approach is to log in and cancel the membership through Account Settings. If you do not have access, contact Netflix customer support (via live chat at netflix.com/help) and explain the situation. Netflix does not publish a formal bereavement policy but will typically cancel the account upon request. They do not routinely ask for a death certificate.

Disney+: Contact Disney+ customer support by phone or live chat. As with Netflix, if you have the login details, you can cancel directly through the account. Disney+ subscriptions managed through Apple or Google will need to be cancelled through those platforms rather than Disney+ directly.

Spotify: Contact Spotify support at support.spotify.com. Spotify may ask for a death certificate or letter of administration. If the deceased had a Spotify Family plan, other family members on the plan will need to set up their own accounts before the primary account is closed.

Apple subscriptions: Apple has a formal Next of Kin process for accessing a deceased person's account and managing their subscriptions. You will need to contact Apple Support and may be asked to provide a death certificate and proof of relationship. Alternatively, if you are cancelling only subscriptions (not seeking account access), you can request Apple cancel all active subscriptions without full account access.

Amazon: separating Prime, Music, and Audible

Amazon requires particular care because there are several distinct services that are easy to conflate:

• Amazon Prime membership: the main subscription that includes fast delivery, Prime Video, and Prime Reading
• Amazon Music Unlimited: a separate music streaming subscription that may exist independently of Prime
• Audible: an Amazon-owned audiobook subscription that operates on a separate account and billing system
• Amazon account itself: the overarching account that holds order history, stored payment methods, and any digital purchases

The recommended order is: first, cancel Amazon Prime and Amazon Music Unlimited (via Manage Prime Membership in account settings), then handle Audible separately (Audible has its own account management page at audible.co.uk), and finally consider whether to close the Amazon account entirely. Closing the Amazon account will permanently delete access to any digital purchases (Kindle books, Prime Video purchases), so discuss with the executor whether any digital assets should be archived before closure.

To close an Amazon account on behalf of a deceased person, contact Amazon Customer Service and provide the death certificate. Amazon will typically require written confirmation and may ask for proof of authority from the executor.

Getting refunds for payments taken after death

Most streaming services operate on a prepaid basis — you pay for the current billing period and access continues until the end of that period. When a subscription is cancelled, most providers do not issue pro-rata refunds for unused days. This is standard practice and is typically set out in their terms and conditions.

However, if a payment was taken after the date of death — particularly an annual renewal that the deceased would not have authorised — it is always worth contacting the provider and explaining the circumstances. Some will issue a goodwill refund, particularly for annual subscriptions where a significant unused period remains. Frame the request clearly: explain the date of death, when the payment was taken, and that the service will not be used.

If a provider refuses to refund a post-death payment, the executor may also raise a chargeback request with the bank or credit card company. A payment taken after death on an account the bank has been notified about may qualify for a chargeback on the grounds that the transaction was not authorised.

Stopping auto-renewals urgently

If you are concerned about subscriptions continuing to charge the estate, the most effective immediate action is to notify the deceased's bank. Once the bank has been informed of the death, they will freeze the account, and any further direct debits or recurring card charges will be declined. This effectively stops all subscription charges at once, without needing to contact each provider individually.

This does mean that subscriptions will lapse rather than being formally cancelled — providers may attempt to charge again once and then cancel for non-payment. This is generally acceptable, though it is better practice to contact providers individually to formally cancel and ensure their records are updated. Some providers may send debt collection letters for unpaid amounts if they do not receive formal cancellation, so following up with individual contacts is recommended.

If the subscriptions are charged to a credit card rather than a bank account, contact the credit card provider as well. The credit card should be cancelled once all expected transactions are settled, but retaining it briefly while processing subscriptions can make refund requests easier to manage.