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 TSB 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 TSB takes to process a bereavement notification.
TSB bereavement contact details
Phone: 0800 056 1016 — Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm(dedicated bereavement line)
Online: TSB bereavement notification
Call TSB's bereavement team on 0800 056 1016 or notify them online. TSB's team is trained specifically in bereavement and can talk you through the entire process at a pace that suits you.
TSB will need a certified copy of the death certificate and your own identification. If you are acting as executor or next of kin, your proof of address will also be required.
TSB will immediately freeze sole accounts and cancel any scheduled payments. A summary of all accounts and balances will be provided to the executor.
For sole accounts, TSB will need the grant of probate or letters of administration before releasing funds. For smaller balances, TSB may use a simplified process — ask the team.
Once all documents are received, TSB will transfer balances to the estate account and issue written confirmation of account closure.
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.
TSB 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.
TSB 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 TSB 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 TSB 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.
TSB 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 TSB
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 TSB 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.
NatWest bereavement team: 0800 161 5902 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–6pm, Sun 9am–5pm). Phone or online. Accounts frozen immediately. Death certificate required. Full 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.
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