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 Zurich 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 Zurich takes to process a bereavement notification.
Zurich bereavement contact details
Phone: 0370 242 7472 — Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Online: Zurich bereavement claim
Call 0370 242 7472 or use the online bereavement claims page. Zurich manages workplace pensions, personal pensions, and life insurance products in the UK.
You will need a certified copy of the death certificate, the policy or plan number from any Zurich correspondence, and your own contact details.
For pension plans, Zurich's trustees will review any nomination of beneficiary or expression of wishes form on file.
For larger lump sum claims, probate or letters of administration may be required. Zurich will advise on what is needed.
Once all documents are received and verified, Zurich will process the death benefits. This typically takes 4–8 weeks.
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.
Zurich typically takes 4–8 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.
If the deceased had a pension with an expression of wishes or nomination of beneficiary form on file, the pension trustees have discretion to pay outside the estate — meaning it may not go through probate. Contact the pension provider early to check.
Once Zurich 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.
Zurich will confirm receipt of your notification and advise you of any next steps required to close or transfer the account or policy. Keep a record of all correspondence and reference numbers for the estate file.
Do not delay notifying Zurich
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 Zurich promptly protects the estate from unnecessary costs.
Nest Pensions bereavement: 0300 020 0090 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm). Government-backed workplace pension. Nomination of beneficiary, trustees' discretion, may bypass probate. Full guide.
The People's Pension bereavement: 0300 2000 555 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm). Workplace pension — expression of wishes, trustees' discretion, may bypass probate. What documents needed. Full guide.
Standard Life bereavement: 0345 606 0095 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Part of Phoenix Group. Pension pot outside probate, expression of wishes, trustees' discretion. What documents needed. Full guide.
Scottish Widows bereavement: 0345 716 6777 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Lloyds Banking Group. Pension, annuity, life insurance. Expression of wishes, trustees' discretion. What documents needed. Full guide.
Prudential bereavement: 0345 640 4000 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Pensions and annuities. Expression of wishes, trustees' discretion, may bypass probate. What documents needed. Full guide.
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