Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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When someone dies, notifying NatWest is one of the key tasks for the executor or next of kin. This guide explains exactly who to contact, what to say, what documents you will need, and how long NatWest takes to process a bereavement notification.
NatWest bereavement contact details
Phone: 0800 161 5902 — Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–6pm, Sun 9am–5pm(dedicated bereavement line)
Online: NatWest bereavement notification
Call the NatWest bereavement team on 0800 161 5902 or use the online notification form. The team is available seven days a week including Sunday afternoons. You can also visit any NatWest branch.
NatWest will need a certified copy of the death certificate, your own photo ID, and your proof of address. NatWest's team will guide you through exactly what they need at each stage so you do not have to gather everything at once.
NatWest will freeze sole accounts and stop recurring payments. The bereavement team will provide a full summary of the accounts held, including any NatWest savings, ISAs, or credit cards.
Once you have the grant of probate or letters of administration, NatWest will use this to release the estate funds. For very small balances, NatWest may release funds on production of the death certificate alone — ask the team.
NatWest will pay the net estate balance to the account you specify, issue closure letters, and confirm the process is complete in writing.
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.
NatWest 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.
NatWest 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 NatWest 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.
Once NatWest 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.
NatWest 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.
Do not delay notifying NatWest
Direct debits and standing orders may continue to be charged after death. Some organisations treat the estate as the debtor for any charges incurred before notification. Notifying NatWest promptly protects the estate from unnecessary costs.
Barclays bereavement team: 0800 161 5195 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm). Notify by phone or online. Accounts frozen immediately — death certificate required. Step-by-step guide.
HSBC bereavement team: 0800 085 2578 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat–Sun 8am–6pm). Notify by phone or online. Accounts frozen immediately. Death certificate and probate required. Full guide.
Lloyds bereavement team: 0800 096 8476 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–2pm). Phone or online notification. Accounts frozen on contact. Death certificate required upfront. Step-by-step guide.
Halifax bereavement team: 0800 096 8765 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm). Notify by phone or online form. Accounts frozen immediately. Death certificate required. Full guide for executors.
Santander bereavement team: 0800 389 6655 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–12pm). Phone or online. Accounts frozen on notification. Death certificate required. Step-by-step executor guide.
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