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Bereavement support

We understand how difficult it is when you lose someone close to you. Sorting out financial matters can feel overwhelming. When you're ready, we’re here to help make things as straightforward as possible for you.

How we can help when someone has passed away

We’ll guide you through what to do next, even if you’re not the executor or next of kin. You can let us know by phone or post, whichever option feels right for you.

Speak to our dedicated advisors

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

0345 071 6153*

Write to us

Freepost Tesco Bank Estates Team,

PO Box 27009, Glasgow G2 9EZ

*This number may be included as part of any inclusive call minutes provided by your phone operator. 

If you have difficulties with your hearing or speech, contact us through the Relay UK app. You can find out how to use Relay UK on their website.

British Sign Language (BSL) users can also contact us via a BSL interpreter, who will call us and interpret the conversation for you. To find out more, visit our accessibility page.

Documents we may need

When you contact us, we'll let you know what documents we need. This could include:

  • The original death certificate or original coroner's interim certificate. Alternatively, we may be able to check the electronic general register 10 days after the death has been registered.The original death certificate or original coroner's interim certificate. Alternatively, we may be able to check the electronic general register 10 days after the death has been registered.
  • An authority to close instruction, signed by all named executors or next of kin. The form required will depend on the account circumstances.An authority to close instruction, signed by all named Executors or next of kin. The form we require will depend on the account circumstances.
  • A copy of the Will.A copy of the Will.
  • The Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration or Certificate of Confirmation. This only applies if the total value of the account(s) is more than £50,000 and they're held in the sole name of the person who has passed away.The Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration or Certificate of Confirmation. This only applies if the total value of the account(s) is more than £50,000 and they're held in the sole name of the person who has passed away.

If you're unsure what any of these terms mean, visit our bereavement glossary for explanations.

What happens to the account after you contact us?

When we're notified of the account holder's death:

  • The account(s) will be frozen.The account(s) will be frozen.
  • Any cards will be blocked.Any cards will be blocked.
  • Interest and fees are frozen - any interest or charges applied after the date of their death will be refunded.Interest and fees are frozen - any interest or charges applied after the date of their death will be refunded.

If there's an additional cardholder, they'll no longer be able to use their card. They'll need to apply for a new account to stay with us.

When we're notified of the account holder's death:

  • The account(s) will be frozen.The account(s) will be frozen.
  • A settlement figure is calculated, and interest will only be charged up to the date of their death.A settlement figure is calculated, and interest will only be charged up to the date of their death.

However, if the loan is a joint account:

  • The account will stay open.The account will stay open.
  • Regular payments (like Direct Debits and standing orders) will continue.Any regular payments (such as Direct Debits and standing orders) will continue.

When we're notified of the account holder's death:

  • The account(s) will be frozen.The account(s) will be frozen.
  • No more transactions can be made.No more transactions can be made.
  • The account will keep earning interest until closure.The account will keep earning interest until closure.

However, if the savings account is a joint account:

  • The account will stay open.The account will stay open.
  • You can use the account as normal.You can use the account as normal.

When we're notified of the account holder's death:

  • The account(s) will be frozen.The account(s) will be frozen.
  • No more transactions can be made.No more transactions can be made.
  • If the account earns interest, this will continue until closure.If the account earns interest, this will continue until closure.

If your spouse or civil partner has died and holds a Tesco Bank ISA:

  • You may be eligible to add their remaining tax-free allowance to a new or existing ISA. You can speak to an estate representative who can discuss your options.You may be eligible to add their remaining tax-free allowance to a new or existing ISA. You can speak to an estate representative who can discuss your options.
  • Alternatively, you can take over the allowance using the Additional Permitted Subscription. You can transfer this allowance to your instant access ISA with Tesco Bank or another ISA provider that accepts this allowance.Alternatively, you can take over the allowance using the Additional Permitted Subscription. You can transfer this allowance to your instant access ISA with Tesco Bank or another ISA provider that accepts this allowance.

When we're notified of the death of a child account holder:

  • The account(s) will be frozen.The account(s) will be frozen.
  • No more transactions can be made.No more transactions can be made.
  • If the account earns interest, this will continue until closure.If the account earns interest, this will continue until closure.
  • Any credit funds will be paid to the Executor or beneficiary as appropriate.Any credit funds will be paid to the Executor or beneficiary as appropriate.

When we’re notified of the death of a registered contact (parent or guardian):

  • The account will stay open.The account will stay open.
  • Further transactions can be made.Further transactions can be made.
  • Interest will continue to be earned.Interest will continue to be earned.

Once we’ve received the necessary documents, a new registered contact can be added to the account.

If the person who has passed also banked with Barclays

Although Tesco Bank is now part of the Barclays Group, we won't automatically notify Barclays on your behalf.

To let them know about a bereavement, please contact Barclays directly. You'll find helpful information and guidance at Barclays by searching 'Bereavement'.

Other things to consider when someone has passed away

You’ll need to register the death using a medical certificate issued to you by the hospital. Where possible, do this at the local register office of the person who has died. This needs to be done within:

  • 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • 8 days in Scotland

You can find out more about this process, as well as the documents you need, on the UK government’s website.

Once the death is registered, you can arrange the funeral yourself or you can pay a funeral director to do it. Visit the government website to:

Executors, or personal representatives, are responsible for carrying out the wishes of the person who has passed away. They're often named in the will. If there's no will, then the next of kin usually becomes the administrator of the deceased's estate.

You’ll need to notify any companies or organisations that have business with the person who has passed away. This can include banks, energy suppliers and government bodies. We’ve made it easy for you to tell us by phone or post.

If this feels too difficult, there are services that can notify organisations for you. 

  • The government’s Tell Us Once service, which will notify most government organisations in one goThe government’s Tell Us Once service, which will notify most government organisations in one go.
  • The Bereavement Register, which will reduce any unwanted direct mail addressed to the person who’s died.
  • The Death Notification Service, which is a free service that can notify a number of organisations at once.

Please remember, we can only take notification from the next of kin, or a solicitor acting on their behalf.

To manage the estate, you may need a Grant of Probate in England and Wales or a Confirmation in Scotland. This lets you legally:

  • manage bills
  • close accounts
  • deal with inheritance tax
  • pay for any funeral costs

The government’s applying for probate page will guide you through the process.

You can also check the government’s bereavement support payment service to see if you’re entitled to any financial help.