Closing accounts after death, the UK guide

Last reviewed May 2026 by Naomi Jackson

How to close bank accounts, pensions, utilities and subscriptions when someone dies, in what order, what you need, and how to do it without losing weeks to admin.

Short answer

To close an account after a death, tell the organisation, send or show the death certificate, and complete their bereavement form. Banks freeze sole accounts straight away and release the balance once their paperwork is done, asking for probate or Scottish confirmation only above their own threshold. Joint accounts usually pass to the surviving holder.

What you need: Death certificate, the account details and proof you are dealing with the estate
Sole accounts: Frozen on notification; direct debits stop
Joint accounts: Usually pass to the surviving holder without probate
When probate is needed: Above each bank's own threshold, which varies by bank

Sole vs joint accounts, why the order matters

The most important distinction in closing accounts is whether the deceased held them in their sole name or jointly with someone else. Sole accounts are frozen the moment the bank is notified, so anything paid from that account direct debits for energy, council tax, broadband, mortgage will start to bounce. Joint accounts almost always transfer to the surviving holder automatically and keep running. Knowing which is which before you call the bank lets you reroute essential payments first instead of scrambling after a missed bill.

The other thing worth knowing up front: most UK banks won't ask you to cancel anything. They'll transfer or pause direct debits as part of their bereavement process, and Tell Us Once handles State Pension and benefits automatically. So the work isn't "cancel everything", it's "tell each organisation, in the right order, and let them do the paperwork".

Start with the Death Notification Service

The Death Notification Service (DNS) is a free UK service that lets you inform many banks and building societies in a single submission. If the person banked with any of these, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Coutts, Santander, Barclays, Nationwide, HSBC, First Direct, M&S Bank and others, this saves you weeks of phoning round.

For banks not in DNS, and for pensions, utilities, insurers and subscriptions, you'll need to contact each directly. Our provider directory has the official bereavement contact for hundreds of UK companies.

What you'll usually need

•The original death certificate, or a certified copy (most banks accept either)
•The account number, policy number or customer reference
•ID for the person notifying (driving licence or passport)
•If applicable, the Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, or Confirmation

What happens to each type of account

Sole bank accounts

Frozen as soon as the bank is notified. Direct debits and standing orders are usually paused. Funds are released to the executor once the bank has the death certificate and, if the balance is above their small-estate threshold (typically £15,000–£50,000), the grant of probate.

Joint bank accounts

Usually transfer to the surviving account holder automatically. You'll still want to tell the bank, they'll remove the deceased's name and update the mandate.

Mortgages

Tell the lender, but don't cancel anything. If there's mortgage protection insurance, the policy may pay off the mortgage. Joint mortgages usually transfer to the survivor.

Utilities (gas, electricity, water, broadband)

Inform the supplier and keep the supply running until the property is sold or transferred, never cancel utilities on an occupied home insurance policy. Most suppliers transfer the account into the executor's name.

Pensions

Many workplace pensions pay outside the estate, so beneficiaries get the money quickly without waiting for probate. State Pension is handled by Tell Us Once.

Insurance

Life insurance pays out to the named beneficiary. Home and car insurance need to be kept running (with insurer notified), cancelling them can void cover.

Subscriptions and credit cards

Cancel subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, gym, magazines) to stop charges. For credit cards, the balance becomes a debt of the estate, don't pay it from personal funds.

Common UK banks, bereavement guidance

Quick links to our bereavement guidance for the most common UK banks:

See all UK organisations →

Common questions

How do I close a bank account when someone dies?

Inform the bank with the death certificate. Sole accounts are frozen and assessed; joint accounts transfer to the survivor. Below the bank's small-estate threshold, funds may be released without probate.

What is the Death Notification Service?

The Death Notification Service (DNS) is a free UK service that lets you inform many banks and building societies of a death in a single submission, rather than contacting each one individually.

Should I cancel direct debits before notifying the bank?

No. Most organisations transfer or pause direct debits as part of the bereavement process. Cancelling early can create gaps in essential cover like home insurance, energy and broadband.

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

Typically 4–8 weeks once the bank has everything they need. Larger estates that need probate take longer, often 4–6 months in total.

What happens to a bank account when someone dies?

Once the bank is told, an account in the person's sole name is frozen: no payments go in or out and cards stop working. The balance becomes part of the estate and is released to the executor or administrator once the bank's paperwork is complete. A joint account usually carries on in the surviving holder's name.

Who can close a bank account after someone dies?

The executor named in the will, or an administrator if there is no will. Below the bank's own limit, many banks will release the balance to the person dealing with the estate without a grant of probate, using their own forms.

Can I use a dead person's bank card or withdraw their money?

No. Permission to use someone's account ends when they die, even if you knew their PIN or held power of attorney. Tell the bank instead and use its bereavement process to release the money.

Can the bank pay for the funeral from the account?

Often, yes. Many banks will pay the funeral director's invoice directly from the deceased's account before probate, on sight of the bill. Ask the bereavement team.

If an account is over the bank's limit you will need probate. Check each bank's limit or prepare your probate application.

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