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Bank Bereavement Contacts UK: Every Major Bank Compared

When someone dies, you need to notify every bank and building society they held accounts with. Each has different bereavement phone numbers, processes, and probate thresholds. This page compares them all so you know exactly what to expect.

Last reviewed: March 2026. Sources: individual bank bereavement pages (linked below). If you spot an error, please contact us.

Quick comparison: bereavement phone numbers

Every number below is the bank's dedicated bereavement line, not the general customer service number. These lines are staffed by specialist teams trained to handle sensitive situations.

BankBereavement PhoneHoursOnline FormProbate Threshold
Barclays0800 068 2238Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-2pmYesAsk bank
HSBC0800 085 1992Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pmYesAsk bank
Lloyds BankLloyds Banking Group0800 096 8560Mon-Fri 9am-5pmYes£50,000
HalifaxLloyds Banking Group0800 028 10578am-8pm, 7 days a weekYesAsk bank
Bank of ScotlandLloyds Banking Group0345 835 5641Mon-Fri 9am-5pmYesAsk bank
NatWestNatWest Group0800 161 5903Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (excl. bank holidays)YesAsk bank
Royal Bank of ScotlandNatWest Group0800 161 5904Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (excl. bank holidays)YesAsk bank
Ulster BankNatWest Group0800 096 3612Mon-Fri 9am-5pmNoAsk bank
Santander0800 587 5870Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pmYes£50,000
TSB0345 835 7834Mon-Fri 9am-5pmNoAsk bank
Metro Bank0345 08 08 500Standard banking hoursYesAsk bank
Co-operative Bank03457 213 213Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-12 noonYesAsk bank
Virgin Money0800 011 3238Mon-Fri 9am-5pmNoAsk bank
Monzo0800 802 1281Standard hoursYesAsk bank
Starling Bank020 7930 445024/7No£10,000
RevolutSee websiteVariesYesAsk bank
Chase UK0800 376 3333Standard hoursNoAsk bank

Building societies

Building societies follow similar bereavement processes to banks. Most have dedicated bereavement teams and will release small balances without probate.

Building SocietyBereavement PhoneHoursOnline FormProbate Threshold
Nationwide Building Society0800 464 3018Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pmYesAsk branch
Yorkshire Building Society0345 1669 229Mon-Fri 9am-5pmYesAsk branch
Coventry Building Society0800 587 4565Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-2pmYesAsk branch
Skipton Building Society0345 266 1209Mon-Fri 9am-5pmYes£5,000 (for simplified email process)
Leeds Building Society03452 682 642Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pmNo£50,000
Principality Building Society0330 333 4000Standard hoursNoAsk branch
Nottingham Building Society0344 481 4444Standard hoursNoAsk branch

What you need to know before calling

Documents to have ready

  • Certified copy of the death certificate (order at least 5 copies)
  • Your photo ID (passport or driving licence)
  • The deceased's account details (if known)
  • The will (if there is one)
  • Grant of probate (if applicable and already obtained)

The Death Notification Service

The Death Notification Service (operated by UK Finance) lets you notify multiple banks and building societies through a single contact. It is free to use and saves time, but not every bank participates, so check the list before relying on it exclusively.

Probate thresholds explained

Each bank sets its own threshold below which it will release funds without requiring a grant of probate. This varies from £5,000 (Santander simplified process) to £50,000 (Lloyds, NatWest, Nationwide). If the balance is above the threshold, you will need to apply for probate before the bank will release funds. Most banks will still pay funeral invoices directly from the account before probate is granted.

Joint accounts

Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass automatically to the surviving account holder. The bank will remove the deceased's name from the account after you provide the death certificate. The surviving holder keeps full access throughout. Sole accounts are frozen immediately and funds are released through the estate administration process.

Step-by-step: notifying banks after a death

  1. 1

    Gather documents

    Get certified copies of the death certificate, the will (if one exists), and your own photo ID.

  2. 2

    Identify all accounts

    Check bank statements, post, and the deceased's records. The finding accounts guide can help.

  3. 3

    Try the Death Notification Service first

    Notify multiple banks in one go. Then contact any remaining banks individually using the phone numbers above.

  4. 4

    Request funeral invoice payment

    If needed, ask the bank to pay the funeral invoice directly from the deceased's account. Most banks do this before probate.

  5. 5

    Apply for probate if needed

    If any account exceeds the bank's probate threshold, you will need to apply for probate before funds are released.

Useful tools

Template Letters

Ready-to-use letters for notifying banks, utilities, and other organisations.

Call Scripts

Word-for-word scripts for making difficult phone calls to banks and other organisations.

Phone Directory

All 60+ bereavement phone numbers in one place, organised by category.

Document Vault

Track which documents you have gathered and which you still need.

Frequently asked questions

How do I notify a bank when someone dies?

Call the bank's dedicated bereavement phone number or complete their online bereavement form. Most major UK banks have a specialist bereavement team. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and your photo ID. You can also use the Death Notification Service to notify multiple banks at once.

Do I need probate to access a deceased person's bank account?

Not always. Each bank has a probate threshold, typically between £5,000 and £50,000. If the account balance is below this threshold, the bank may release funds without a grant of probate. Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest, and RBS have thresholds around £50,000. Nationwide is £50,000. Santander releases up to £10,000 via a simplified email process.

What happens to joint bank accounts when someone dies?

Joint accounts with right of survivorship automatically pass to the surviving account holder. The bank removes the deceased's name and the surviving holder keeps full access. You still need to notify the bank and provide a death certificate. Sole accounts are frozen until the estate is settled.

Can the bank pay funeral costs from the deceased's account?

Yes, most banks will prioritise payment of funeral invoices directly from the deceased's account, even before probate is granted. You will need to provide the funeral director's invoice. This is standard practice across major UK banks.

What is the Death Notification Service?

The Death Notification Service is a free service operated by UK Finance that allows you to notify multiple banks and building societies through a single contact point. Not all banks participate, so you may still need to contact some individually. It does not cover utility companies, insurers, or government departments.

How long does it take to close a bank account after death?

Most banks take 4 to 8 weeks to process account closures once all documents are received. If probate is required, the total process can take 6 to 12 months. Simple estates below the probate threshold are typically resolved in 2 to 4 weeks.

Important

This information is for general guidance only. It is not legal or financial advice. Bank processes and thresholds can change. Always verify current details directly with the bank. Last reviewed: March 2026.

Related guides

Probate Guide

When you need probate, how to apply, and whether to DIY or use a solicitor

Template Letters

Ready-to-use letters for banks, utilities, HMRC, employers, and more

Call Scripts

Word-for-word scripts for difficult phone calls

Bank Accounts After Death

What happens to bank accounts, how to close them, and when you can release money without probate