Ratter...like you, I have always wondered about this. I suppose his family would step and sort things out. But if he had no family....well, that could be very different.
Its similar to those dreadful stories ones reads every now and then about an elderly person being found in a flat, who has been dead for weeks or even months. The details are always the same.....endless piles of letter from bank, lecky companies, etc, etc. I
I guess import bills, if they are paid by DD, would continue to be paid until the bank account ran out of money, and then reminders would be sent.
In your scenario, the chap would still be alive, so presumably would be able to contact people and explain what has happened.
I am not sure about the wife....I presume she would qualify for some state help in the form of benefits, especially if there were kids as well.