When a loved one passes away, there can be a sizable to-do list that comes attached to handling their personal affairs. One of your duties will likely include canceling your loved one’s memberships and subscriptions. This can simply feel overwhelming when you’re grieving your loss.
That’s why it’s helpful to ask for help and use resources as much as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cancel Planet Fitness membership for a deceased person. Follow these instructions so that you can quickly move on to the next task.
How to cancel Planet Fitness membership for someone who died - a step-by-step guide
Very rarely will someone have enough warning to cancel accounts or memberships before they pass away. That’s why it’s common practice for a next-of-kin or an estate Executor to sort out a deceased person’s personal affairs.
Part of these duties include promptly canceling memberships. Gym memberships can be expensive, and when left alone, the deceased person’s account will continue getting charged. Over time, this can significantly eat into the value of their remaining estate.
Here’s what canceling a Planet Fitness membership looks like. (Not a member of Planet Fitness? This step-by-step guide can be applied to any other gym!)
Step 1: Acquire proof of death
Gym memberships are usually under contract. This means that you can’t cancel the membership for any reason until the contract is satisfied. However, there are usually some key exceptions to the contract, including death.
To cancel the contract and the membership, you’ll need to provide proof. Be sure to obtain a copy of your loved one’s death certificate so that you can request to cancel the contract.
Step 2: Visit the Planet Fitness location in person
If you live near your loved one’s Planet Fitness location, visiting in person may be the fastest and easiest solution. Bring along your identification, as well as the copy of the death certificate copy. Approach a staff member and explain your objective. They will likely refer you to a customer service or other type of manager. Here, you’ll likely be asked to show the proof of death so they can authorize the cancellation.
Step 3: Send a written cancelation letter
If you don’t live close enough to the Planet Fitness location, you also have the option of mailing a written letter requesting cancellation.
Write a simple letter notifying the gym that the account should be closed due to the member’s death. Make a note that the proof of death (the copy of the death certificate) is enclosed with the letter. Be sure to specify the full name of the deceased, as well as other helpful identification information. Suggestions include their birth date, mailing address, and their Planet Fitness membership number if you have it. Also include your personal contact information in case they need to ask you any questions or provide you with a response.
Be sure to send the mail certified so you receive proof of delivery for your records.
Step 4: Call the location to follow up
Whether you visited Planet Fitness in person or sent in a written request, make sure to follow up. The gym will continue automatically charging your loved one’s credit card until the membership cancellation is processed. You can simply call the location to follow up and encourage the appropriate staff member to process the request before the next charge goes through.
Step 5: Cancel the credit cards of the deceased
Another proactive step you can take is going ahead and canceling the credit cards of the decedent. This will prevent Planet Fitness and any other companies from charging your loved one’s card if they have it on file or automatic payment processing. However, you’ll still want to follow up and ensure that memberships are properly canceled so that your loved one’s account does not go into delinquency.
Learn more about what to do when someone dies
This guide went over how to cancel a Planet Fitness membership. Looking for something else? We also have many other helpful guides in our Learn Center. Check out a few related topics here:
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