I've worked in that industry and I've had to do that to people sadly :-( there's a usually a script the employees have to follow and in that case once you tell them he's gone they have to mark the account. But tell them you want that number taken off all the lists in their system. That's a loop hole they use to the do not call lists. There's multiple lists and just because you're on the do not call list on one doesn't mean your number isn't on a different list. And the National do not call list isn't a guarantee either. loopholes.

Reminds me of the time some years ago when my number 1 son and I arrived at this guy's place to install Foxtel, (legally I might add), we were informed by some woman there that he had passed away during the night. Needlessly she was not impressed when I asked if they still wanted it installed.

This happened to me at my mother in laws wake! My poor fiancé answered the phone and cried to the person saying she's dead and we just got back from the funeral. The telemarketer had the guts to say he was lying to get out of the phone call.

"Alright, but he's not very talkative these days."

That still happens and mines been dead for...well, nearly 9 months I guess. Huh. Anyway, one time a place he regularly donated to called, and, when I said he died, asked if we would still be donating....

"If you call this number again I'll make sure you get to meet him personally."

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope things get better for you. A few years back, I lost my mom. We got those calls, too. They'll keep coming. But you can try to make light of it while making the telemarketers uncomfortable as hell--it's what I did: "Hi, is (deceased) there?" "No, but if you can reach them, please let me know, since they've been dead since X." Often, the line goes silent as they try to process this, and then you'll hear the soft click of them hanging up without another word. I take comfort in the fact that my mother would have loved me doing that. :)

"Sure" awkwardly puts the phone in his casket*

<p>I still get calls for my dad and he died in 2010. :P</p>