Obtaining bank statements

[Threeboysandadog]

I’m not sure if this is the best place to post this but I need some advice. Adult DSS died suddenly a fortnight ago. Dh is next of kin, (2 siblings, 3 half siblings). No will, no insurance policies and very little money (we assume). The funeral will be on us. How do I get copies of his bank statements and any funds he did have released to pay towards it?

AgeUK have some great guides about what to do when someone dies

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/legal-issues/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/dealing-with-the-estate/

Sorry for your and your DHs loss

Probably a silly idea but have you thought of contacting the bank....

Banks often have bereavement services. Have a look on bank website for phone number.
Usually you just need to fill in a form and send the death certificate.
The nominated person can have the balance of the account transferred and the account will be closed.

Have you made use of the govt 'Tell Us Once' service? It's very useful for a lot of the other agencies that need informing..

If the funeral needs to be arranged before funds are released from the deceased person's bank, then the bank can release them. When we had to do a funeral last year, the funeral company was in no hurry to be paid, which was a great help. It wasn't as costly as I was dreading, either. The funeral director also helped arrange and advise on plot and flowers etc We had a Humanist celebrant perform a small family gathering at the cemetery and graveside.

I'm so sorry that you lost your DSS. I hope the practicalities are sorted smoothly and that everything goes as well as it can. ❤

Any fucking need for this?

I think you’ll need a death certificate to gain access, when my dad died the banks couldn’t do anything without that.

Your DH will need to visit a local branch if there is one with Death Certificate and identification to obtain copy statements,if there are sufficient funds to cover the funeral bill the bank will pay direct to funeral director, it is a priority bill.
When I arranged a recent funeral I had to pay a deposit of 2K !

Oh so clever and incisive you are (not).

Strangely enough I had considered this. However, rather than marching in, declaring myself as his step mum and demanding his money I thought I might post for some advice first. This whole situation is stressful enough without having to do things several times before getting it right.

Thank you to everyone else for your advice and kind wishes. It would be great if the funds are released direct to the funeral director. Dss1 has the certificate so will look into it tomorrow. I’ve done all this before for my mother but she had a will of which I was the executor so it was very straightforward. This has all been much more complicated 😔

DH will need a copy of the death certificate to take to the bank, and likely his birth certificate too.
Get DH to ring the bank and explain. They should be helpful.

Was he working? If so, many employers provide a death in service benefit which should help with funeral costs.

Unfortunately not working due to ill health.

Call the bank's bereavement telephone line. They typically answer much quicker and in many big banks now they send you a link to upload your death certificate copy etc.

That's been the case for me recently in a low value estate (less than 15k in banks) and all banks except for NS&I have been entirely online and telephone. Not one did I need to trek to a branch. None around here in any form anyway

Don't just rock up at the bank, you'll likely be plonked on a telephone speaking to their proper bereavement services team. Based on my recent experiences of in branch " service "

Also consider using the banking death notification service: https://www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk/

I am dealing with my Mums bank accounts at the moment and they also want a grant of Probate

The bank will issue funds directly to the funeral director if you have the death cert and an invoice.

Though dad will need to do it as NOK.

My recent experience of doing this was 'challenging' - the funeral director didn't give me a cheque payee and the bank (initially) wouldn't do a transfer. It was my big 'oh fuck this really has happened' moment and I made a right dick of myself in the banking hall.

You don't need probate for funeral expenses.

You will if there's big bucks in the account to close it down but the Halifax did my mum's on death cert alone for closure (around £5k) and just the invoice and death cert for the funeral director.

It sounds like the estate will not be large enough to require probable, it doesn’t apply if there is less than £5k which sounds likely from the OPs posts.