Closing a bank account in the event of a death

Dealing with someone's finances when they die, can be a challenge.

Things to consider

What to do with each Bank Provider in the event of a death

Barclays

You can contact Barclays online, by telephone, post or at a branch. You will need to have the name, address and date of birth of the deceased person; as well as the original copies of Proof of Death, Proof of Identity and a Personal Indemnity Closure Form.  You might also need a Grant of Probate.

Barclays will make sure there is no further communication with the account holder, and Direct Debits and Standing Orders will be cancelled and the account will be frozen.

barclays bereavement guide

Lloyds

When you have registered the death and spoken with Lloyds, the bank also have a Bereavement Guide and Estate Administration service. If the account holder has money in the account, Lloyds state it can be used for help with expenses and funeral bills.

Lloyds bereavement guide

Natwest

By clicking on ‘Notify us of a bereavement’, on the Natwest website, you can quickly and easily answer a series of questions to notify them of the passing.  They also have a helpful Bereavement Checklist available to help.

For multiple banks, you can use the Death Notification Service.  This is a free service which allows you to notify members of the organisations of the death at the same time.

There is also a ‘Tell Us Once‘ service on the Government website.  With this service you can report a death to most government organisations in one go.

Natwest bereavement guide

Nationwide

After sending the bank the death certificate, they will send you a ‘Request to Close Account(s) (SF220)’ form.  If the account has more that £50,000, they will also need a Grant of Probate.  Both of these will come by post and a return envelope is included.

The Nationwide website also has information on how to access funds to help with expenses and releasing money.

Nationwide bereavement guide

For funerals below £8,000, Nationwide will release funds without the need to be referred to the Bereavement Services Team.

HSBC

The steps to notify HSBC of a death are as follows:
Register the death
Check if there is a Will
Arrange the funeral
Notify HSBC via the Bereavement Portal
Dealing with the estate
Letting other organisations know

HSBC also offer advice for commercial customers including Sole Traders and Limited companies.

HSBC bereavement guide

Royal Bank of Scotland

You can notify Royal Bank of Scotland using their Click and Notify service. There is a Bereavement checklist as well as a ‘What happens once you notify us?’ section; as well as advice on the following:
Deceased person’s account
The Process
What documents are required
Communication
Closure

Royal Bank of Scotland bereavement guide

Santander

Santander have a Bereavement guide.  There are sections within the guide for both Personal and Business Customers, with helpful information, contacts and advice.

For Personal Customers, there is detail on how to get in touch as well as information on personal accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages etc.
For Business Customers, you can find advice on inheritance tax, funeral costs etc.

We can help with arrangements at any time.

If you are receiving end of life care and haven’t made any decisions yet; or have any questions, you can talk to one of our team 24 hours a day on 0800 471 4689 or email us on support@withgrace.com

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