How to Notify O2 of a Death: Telecoms Bereavement Guide 2026

By Farra Editorial Team•8 min read•Last updated: 5 April 2026

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How do I notify O2 of a death?

1O2's bereavement support line (0800 090 1820) is available seven days a week including evenings — 0800 numbers are free to call from UK landlines and mobiles.
2O2 is now part of the Virgin Media O2 group — but Virgin Media broadband and O2 mobile are separate accounts that each need independent notification.
3O2 will waive early termination fees when you provide a death certificate — the estate will not be charged for breaking an active mobile contract.
4O2 Priority, O2's rewards programme, is linked to the mobile account — this will be closed automatically when the account is cancelled.
5If the deceased had multiple lines under one O2 account (e.g. a family plan), all lines will need to be reviewed — other account holders may wish to transfer their line to a new account.

When someone dies, notifying O2 is one of the key tasks for the executor or next of kin. This guide explains exactly who to contact, what to say, what documents you will need, and how long O2 takes to process a bereavement notification.

O2 bereavement contact details

Phone: 0800 090 1820 — Mon–Fri 8am–9pm, Sat–Sun 8am–8pm

Online: O2 bereavement support

Last verified: May 2026

Spotted a change? Email our team if a number, email, or link on this page is out of date and we'll update it straight away.

How to notify O2 of a death — step by step

Contact O2
Call 0800 090 1820 (seven days a week) or use the online bereavement support page. O2 is part of the Virgin Media O2 group — if the deceased also had Virgin Media services, these are separate and need individual notification.
Provide the mobile number or account number and death certificate
O2 will need the mobile number, a certified copy of the death certificate, and your own contact details. If there are multiple lines on the account, note all of them.
Cancel or transfer the number
O2 will ask whether you want to cancel the contract or transfer the number to another person. O2 can issue a PAC code to port the number to another network if required.
Return any financed devices
If the device was on an O2 Refresh or similar finance arrangement, O2 will advise on whether the device should be returned or the finance settled from the estate.
Final bill and direct debit cancelled
O2 will waive early termination fees, issue a final bill, and cancel the direct debit. Any account credit will be refunded to the estate.

What documents does O2 need?

Certified copy of the death certificate
Account number or reference number
Your name and contact details
Serial number of any equipment to return (if applicable)

Have multiple certified copies of the death certificate ready. Banks and financial institutions each require an original or certified copy — you cannot usually pass a single copy between organisations. See our guide to how many death certificates you need.

How long does O2 take?

O2 typically takes 1–2 weeks to process a bereavement notification once all required documents have been received.

During this period, accounts or services will typically be frozen until the estate is administered. This means no new transactions can be authorised.

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What happens after you notify O2?

Once O2 receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.

O2 will cancel or transfer the service as directed. A final bill will be issued for any outstanding charges, and any credit balance will be refunded. If a contract is ended early, O2 may waive early termination fees — ask the bereavement team directly.

What cannot wait

Do not delay notifying O2

Direct debits and standing orders may continue to be charged after death. Some organisations treat the estate as the debtor for any charges incurred before notification. Notifying O2 promptly protects the estate from unnecessary costs.

Sources

How to notify O2 of a death — step by step

Contact O2

Call 0800 090 1820 (seven days a week) or use the online bereavement support page. O2 is part of the Virgin Media O2 group — if the deceased also had Virgin Media services, these are separate and need individual notification.

Provide the mobile number or account number and death certificate

O2 will need the mobile number, a certified copy of the death certificate, and your own contact details. If there are multiple lines on the account, note all of them.

Cancel or transfer the number

O2 will ask whether you want to cancel the contract or transfer the number to another person. O2 can issue a PAC code to port the number to another network if required.

Return any financed devices

If the device was on an O2 Refresh or similar finance arrangement, O2 will advise on whether the device should be returned or the finance settled from the estate.

Final bill and direct debit cancelled

O2 will waive early termination fees, issue a final bill, and cancel the direct debit. Any account credit will be refunded to the estate.

What documents does O2 need?

Certified copy of the death certificate

Account number or reference number

Your name and contact details

Serial number of any equipment to return (if applicable)

What happens after you notify O2?

Once O2 receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.