Notifying Santander of a Death
0800 587 5870Everything you need to notify Santander after a bereavement, including the dedicated phone number, required documents, and how long the process takes.
Online Form
Postal Address
Santander Bereavement Operations, Sunderland, SR43 4FJ
Typical Timeline
Online notification: response within 10 working days. Funeral payments: up to 5 days after documentation received.
How to notify Santander
Phone: Call 0800 587 5870 (Bereavement Assist)
Online: Complete form at bereavement-online.santander.co.uk
Post: Send Bereavement Instruction Form to Sunderland, SR43 4FJ
Branch: Visit any Santander branch
Death Notification Service
Documents you will need
- Death certificate (original, certified copy, or photocopy)
- Your photo ID (passport or UK/EEA photocard driving licence)
- Grant of Representation (if sole accounts exceed £50,000)
- Grant of Representation (if deceased held mortgage in sole name)
- Original funeral/florist invoices (if paying funeral costs from account)
Joint vs sole accounts
Joint accounts
Joint accounts are transferred to the surviving account holder.
Sole accounts
Sole accounts frozen. Funeral payments processed within 5 days of receiving documentation.
Probate threshold
Santander has a probate threshold of £50,000. If the total balance held with Santander is below this amount, they may release funds without requiring a grant of probate or letters of administration. If the balance exceeds this threshold, you will typically need to obtain probate beforeSantander can release the funds.
Read our probate guide to understand the process and whether you need to apply.
What to say when you call
You do not need to prepare a detailed explanation. A brief, straightforward call is all that is needed. Here is a simple script you can follow:
"Hello, I am calling to notify you of a death. The account holder was [full name], and the date of death was [date]."
"I am their [relationship, e.g. son/daughter/executor]. My reference number from the death registration is [Tell Us Once reference number, if you have one]."
"Could you let me know what documents you need and what the next steps are?"
The bereavement team will guide you through the rest of the call. Have the death certificate, your photo ID, and any account details to hand before calling.
Additional information
- Santander Consumer Finance has a separate process: santanderconsumer.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
How do I notify Santander of a death?
You can notify Santander by calling their bereavement team on 0800 587 5870, or by completing their online bereavement form. You can also write to them at Santander Bereavement Operations, Sunderland, SR43 4FJ. Have the death certificate and your identification ready before you make contact.
What documents does Santander need for bereavement?
Santander typically requires: Death certificate (original, certified copy, or photocopy), Your photo ID (passport or UK/EEA photocard driving licence), Grant of Representation (if sole accounts exceed £50,000), Grant of Representation (if deceased held mortgage in sole name), Original funeral/florist invoices (if paying funeral costs from account). It is a good idea to have certified copies of the death certificate ready, as originals may be retained temporarily.
How long does Santander take to process a bereavement?
Online notification: response within 10 working days. Funeral payments: up to 5 days after documentation received.
Can I access a Santander account without probate?
Santander may release funds without probate if the balance is below their threshold of £50,000. Above this amount, a grant of probate or letters of administration is usually required. Contact their bereavement team to discuss your specific situation.
What happens to a joint Santander account when someone dies?
Joint accounts are transferred to the surviving account holder.
Need to write to Santander?
Use our ready-made template letters to notify banks, utilities, and other organisations. Just fill in the details and send.
View Template Letters