Losing someone close to you is never easy. We're here to help you through every step of dealing with their banking.
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Bereavement guide
What to do when someone dies
Notify us of a bereavement
Our Bereavement Services Team are here to help make things as easy as possible for you as a single point of contact for the bank.
Give us a call
You can also call us on our dedicated Bereavement Services Team on 0800 096 3612. If you're outside the UK please call us on 00 44 151 494 1260. We're here for you from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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Visit us
Want to talk to us face to face? Use our online branch locator to find your nearest Ulster Bank. Please note that opening hours vary by branch.
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Write to us
You can also write to us at:
Ulster Bank Everyday Banking Operations, 11-16 Donegall Square East, Belfast, BT1 5UB
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What happens once you notify us?
Next Steps OpenClose
Our customer's accounts
We'll protect any sole accounts and update any joint accounts.
What happens to the accounts?
Protecting Sole Accounts
When we learn about a customer's death, we immediately protect their account. This means no money will go in or out of the account, which can help any worries about unexpected payments. It's a good idea to let utility companies and other providers know that the bills will need to be paid from a different account.
Joint accounts
For joint accounts, we'll update the account to be in your name only. You can keep using it just like before. If there's an overdraft or any other lending linked to the account we'll check to make sure it still works for you.
If your loved one was the main cardholder on a credit card, other cardholders won't be able to use their cards anymore.
Text alerts?
If your loved one signed up for text alerts, you might get a message from us about a change of address a few days after letting us know about the death. This is just us updating our records, so there's no need to worry or take any action.
Condolence letter
To help you manage things during this tough time, we'll be sending you a condolence letter. This letter will explain what steps you need to take next, what documents we might need from you, and when you can expect to hear back from us.
Documents
When handling the affairs of a deceased customer, there are certain documents we might ask for.
What documents may we need?
Here's a list of the most important:
- Death certificate
- Will/Codicil
- Grant of Representation (England, Wales & Northen Ireland)
- Certificate of Confirmation (Scotland)
- Submit our Account Closure Form
You'll need to have notified us and been assigned a BER reference before the closure form can be completed.
Once you've notified us, we'll send you a letter detailing exactly what documents we need.
To find out what we need and how to send them to us, please go to our sending us documents page.
Documents From Outside the UK?
If the death certificate is from outside the UK or not in the English language, we'll need a certified translation.
Not our customer?
If you're not a customer with us, we’ll need your photo ID and proof of address.
Closing the accounts
Before we can close the account or change the joint account name, we'll need to see some documents.
How do we close the accounts?
After telling us about the death, you might need to complete an Account Closure Form signed by the next of kin or executors.
You can choose to:
- Or download the Account Closure PDF (152KB) and send it to us.
Remember to have your BER reference ready.
Check out our Sending Us Documents page for details on how to send the PDF.
Stay in touch
Here's how we'll stay in touch and support you through the process.
How we'll stay in touch
Condolence letter
You'll receive a letter from us to acknowledge your notification. This letter will include a reference number starting with 'BER'. Keep this number handy, as it will help us assist you quickly. If we need more documents from you, we'll send you a letter to let you know what we need and how to send it to us.
Payment Notification
When we make a payment, for example, to cover a funeral bill or inheritance tax invoice, we'll let you know by email or letter. To see how we can help with funeral bills, please visit our funeral invoice section below.
Helping you with funeral costs
We know that dealing with funeral costs can be overwhelming, and we're here to help. If the person who passed away had funds in their account, you can use that money to help cover funeral costs.
We can pay the funeral company directly from the deceased's account. The payment usually takes about 3 to 5 working days once we have everything we need. We can pay in full or part for the funeral invoice if there are enough funds in the account(s).
Important to Know
We can't reimburse you any funeral bills that have already been paid. The payment must go straight to the funeral company. Once you have the invoice, you send it to us. Make sure to include the unique BER reference number we gave you. This will help us find the right account quickly.
To make sure we can pay the funeral company quickly, the invoice must:
- Be on the funeral company headed paper.
- Include the name of the deceased.
- Be itemised, showing all costs.
- State the total amount owed in GBP.
- Provide BACS details for payment.
If anything missing, we won't be able to process the payment right away and we will let you know what's needed.
We can pay in full or part for the funeral invoice if there are enough funds in the account(s).
- Deposit on estimated funeral invoice.
- Wake invoice.
- Transporting of the body from one country to another.
- Interment of ashes/burial fees/church fees.
- UK Grant of probate fees.
- Florist.
- Employment tax.
- Council tax.
- Utility bills - One bill per individual company.
- Professional fees (Solicitor fees/Deputyship fees).
- Care Fees - Private or council.
- Headstone fees.
- Income Tax and Self Assessment Tax
We're not able to cover deposits, estimates or additional expenses such as:
- Accommodation.
- Any expenses before a funeral for example a meal.
- Fuel.
- House clearance/cleaning.
- Obituary/newspaper announcement.
- Parking.
- Supermarket receipts.
- Home insurance.
We're here to help you during this difficult time
How to get in touch with the Bereavement Support Team.
If you need assistance outside of these hours, you can chat with Cora, our digital assistant. Just click the 'Chat to Cora' button at the bottom right corner of the webpage. Cora will ask a few questions to make sure you get the right help and can connect you with a colleague if needed.
You can also call us on 03457 424365, lines open 9am- 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) or +44 2890 538 033 if you're calling from overseas. Calls may be recorded. If you prefer to use Relay UK 18001 03457 424365.
If its easier, you can also visit any branch and we'll be happy to help. To find your nearest visit our branch locator tool.
Frequently asked questions
An executor account is a dedicated bank account that lets the executor(s) of an estate collect and manage funds that belong to the deceased. This includes money from selling a house or other assets before it's distributed to the heirs.
While you dont have to open an executor account to manage the deceased's estate, it can simplify things it helps keep all estate-related finances in one place, making it easier to track and handle.
How to open an Executor Account
- Start with an everyday bank account, you can do this online. To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident.
- Complete the following forms. Once the account is open you'll need to fill out an Executor(s)/Administrator(s) Account mandate form online. If there are other administrators, they need to be added to the account using an add a new party to an executor account form.
- Visit a local branch, take the completed forms, the deceased’s will, death certificate and the Grant of Representation (England or Wales) or Certificate of Confirmation (Scotland) to your local branch.
- If you don't have a Grant of Representation or Certificate of Confirmation, you can still open the account but with limited capabilities. You can only pay the final invoice and receive payments.
Yes, if there are enough funds available, we can help cover the final funeral costs from the deceased's sole account(s).
To proceed with paying the funeral bill using the account's funds you'll need the original funeral bill, the death certificate, and proof that you're the next of kin or appointed representative.
We'll be able to pay for the final funeral bill from the deaceased's account. Please note that we can only cover the final bill, not any estimated or provisional bills.
If the deceased had a joint account, we'll transfer it to the name of the other person once we've seen the death certificate and completed a review of any joint facilities.
If our customer had joint accounts and the remaining customer is registered for text alerts, they may receive a text message advising of a change of address a few days after notifying us. This is because we're updating our records and there's nothing you need to do if this happens.
You can find more information on dealing with a deceased person's money and property, including help with inheritance tax, on nidirect.gov.uk page.
You will require photo ID and proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement. You will also need the death certificate.
Check the full list of required documentation mentioned earlier on this page.
We want to support you through this time. If you are already a customer our service Banking My Way lets you record information about the support or adjustments you need to make banking easier. You can let us know of any additional support you may need to ensure all our colleagues are aware of this.
The information will be shared on our internal systems so you won't have to repeat these requirements every time you interact with us.
You can find out more about the service and how to register via the Banking My Way information pages on our website.
We offer guidance and support for handling bereavement within your business . Visit our business bereavement page for more information.
Independent bereavement support
We've compiled a shortlist of independent organisations who can provide further bereavement help and support.
Help with money management
The Money Advice Service can help you learn how to deal with money after someone passes away, from paying for the funeral to looking after the paperwork and household bills.
Help with getting through
Facing Bereavement can help with expert guidance when dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Help with funeral costs
Down to Earth is a charity that offers advice and help paying for a funeral to those on low incomes.
Help with arranging the funeral
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) provide funeral advice and a funeral directory service to help you find local firms, endorsed by the NAFD.
Help with the formalities
Nidirect.gov.uk has a wealth of information on what to do when someone passes away, including registering a death, paying inheritance tax, and applying for probate.