How to Notify First Direct of a Death: Bank Bereavement Guide 2026

How to notify First Direct of a death — step by step

1. Contact First Direct

   Call 0345 600 2290, which is available 24 hours a day every day. First Direct is a telephone and online bank, so the phone line is the primary way to notify them.

2. Provide the death certificate and your details

   First Direct will need a certified copy of the death certificate and your own identification. As an HSBC Group company, the process is streamlined — if the deceased also held HSBC accounts, both may be handled together.

3. Account frozen

   First Direct will freeze the account and cancel scheduled payments immediately on notification. A full account summary will be provided to the executor.

4. Submit grant of probate

   Once you have the grant of probate or letters of administration, supply certified copies to First Direct. They will use these to authorise the release of the estate funds.

5. Funds released and account closed

   First Direct will transfer the estate balance to the account you nominate and send written closure confirmation.

What documents does First Direct need?

• Certified copy of the death certificate
• Grant of probate or letters of administration (when available)
• The executor's or administrator's ID (passport or driving licence)
• The executor's or administrator's proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, dated within 3 months)
• Account numbers or bank statements if known

Have multiple certified copies of the death certificate ready. Banks and financial institutions each require an original or certified copy — you cannot usually pass a single copy between organisations. See our guide to how many death certificates you need.

How long does First Direct take?

First Direct typically takes 2–4 weeks to process a bereavement notification once all required documents have been received.

During this period, accounts or services will typically be frozen until the estate is administered. This means no new transactions can be authorised. Frozen bank accounts cannot send or receive money, so it is important to ensure the estate has an accessible source of funds for ongoing costs such as funeral expenses.

Using the Death Notification Service for First Direct

First Direct is a member of the Death Notification Service (DNS). The DNS lets you notify multiple banks and building societies at once, saving time if the deceased held accounts at several institutions. You can use the service online at deathnotificationservice.co.uk or by telephone on 0800 158 2227.

However, notification via the DNS is the first step only. You must still contact First Direct directly to close accounts, transfer funds, and release assets to the estate. The DNS does not replace the full bereavement process — it simply triggers an initial notification.

For more on services that help manage death administration, see our complete guide to UK death administration services.

What happens after you notify First Direct?

Once First Direct receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.

First Direct will write to you with a bereavement reference number and a list of the documents they require to proceed. At that stage you will need to provide the grant of probate (or letters of administration) along with certified copies of the death certificate before funds can be released to the estate.

What cannot wait