Bereavement

Firstly, it’s important that you read the government advice for when someone dies. This can help you understand all the steps involved, and what your responsibilities might be. You can:

• Read the step-by-step government guidance
• Easily notify multiple government bodies of a death in one go using their Tell Us Once service.

You can stop these things from happening either by:

• Completing our bereavement instruction form. Please be aware that by using this option account activity will cease the day after receipt of the form. Or,
• If you need to stop payments urgently, calling us on 03457 212 212 (call charges apply).

When you complete a bereavement instruction form you’ll need to provide:

• Sort code and account number of the person’s account(s) – if you do not have these we can find their information using their name and address
• An original or a certified copy of the will, if there is one – if it’s a copy it should be certified on the front and last page.

If the account is joint we will remove the name of the person who has died, if the account is in sole names and in credit then you’ll need to provide details of the account you would like the funds to be paid into.

And if the total value of all the person’s Co-operative Bank and smile account(s) exceeds £50,000, you’ll also need to provide either:

• A certified copy of the grant of probate
• Letters of administration if there is no will.

Sole mortgage

When you complete a bereavement instruction form for a sole mortgage you’ll need to provide:

• Mortgage number
• An original or a certified copy of the will, if there is one – if it’s a copy it should be certified on the front and last page
• A certified copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration if there is no will.

Joint mortgage

When you complete a bereavement instruction form for a joint mortgage you’ll need to provide:

• Mortgage number.

If the person who has died is the main credit card holder

When you complete a bereavement instruction form for a credit card you’ll need to provide:

• The 16 digit credit card number for the credit card account held by the person who has died – if you do not have this we can find their information using their name and address.

If the credit card of the person who has died is in credit we will contact you for further information to transfer the funds.

If the person who has died is an additional credit card holder

You do not need to complete our bereavement form to cancel an additional credit card. You can cancel the card by calling us on:

0345 600 6000 (call charges)

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

Complete a bereavement instruction form (PDF) and post it to the address below:

The Co-operative Bank Bereavement Team
PO Box 4931
Swindon
SN4 4PL

If you're sending original documents

We recommend that you do not post us originals of important documents, such as passports. But if you choose to, we suggest that you use a trackable delivery service.

When we receive originals, we use recorded delivery to return them and aim to do this within one business day.

Complete a bereavement instruction form (PDF) or pick one up in branch. You can use original documents when coming in branch. When you’re ready, please contact us to make an appointment by calling us on:

• 03457 212 212 for current accounts and savings accounts (call charges)
• 0345 600 6000 for credit cards (call charges)

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

• If the person had any active cards, we’ll freeze them.
• If the person had any regular payments, we’ll stop them.

For sole bank accounts

If the person had any sole accounts, we’ll close them.

For joint bank accounts

• If the person had any joint accounts with 2 names, we’ll convert them to sole accounts.
• If the person had any joint accounts with 3 or more names, we’ll remove their name.

• If the person had any active cards, we’ll freeze them.
• If the person had any regular payments, we’ll stop them.
• If the person’s card is in debit you will not be held personally liable but we may claim against their estate.
• If the person’s card is in credit we’ll contact you to ask for details of the bank account to pay the funds into.
• We’ll close the person’s card account on the expiry date.
• If any accounts are insured, we’ll speak to our insurers, Aviva, on your behalf. If any accounts are not insured, we’ll contact you directly to discuss these further.

For sole mortgages

If it’s a sole mortgage, we may offer a 3-month grace period.

For joint mortgages

If it’s a joint mortgage, we will offer a 3-month grace period.

When someone dies, Power of Attorney privileges and third party access to their account end on their date of death.

Anyone who had Power of Attorney won't necessarily or automatically become responsible for managing the estate of the person who has passed away. What happens next depends on:

• If they had a will – it’s decided by what’s set out in the will
• If they didn’t have a will – it’s decided by a few things, including their marital status, what's held with the bank, and where they lived.

For example, this includes:

• Newspaper announcements
• Headstone
• Wake catering
• Order of service sheets
• Flowers
• Repatriation of the person who has passed away.

Read more about funeral costs

This includes fees relating to:

• Inheritance
• Grant of probate, letters of administration or certificate of confirmation.