Definition of terms
Jargon buster
Check our glossary for an explanation of any legal terms you’re unfamiliar with.
Financial and emotional support
Life after loss
We’ll give you practical help to get you through the first weeks and months following a bereavement, and tell you about free services that can help you cope with your loss.
Funeral costs
You can use any money remaining in the deceased’s account to cover funeral costs. You’ll need to show us a certified copy of the death certificate, an estimated invoice or the full balance from an itemised invoice on the funeral director’s headed paper. We can release this money before closing the account.
Take the invoice to a branch or send it to us, including your personal reference number beginning with BRV, and we’ll transfer money or send a cheque to the funeral director.
We can reimburse you for any funeral payments you’ve already made – just show us the final invoice and a receipt confirming payment.
If there isn’t enough money in the deceased’s account to cover the funeral cost, help might be available from the government – find out if you’re eligible.
Other costs
Please contact us on 0800 068 22381(option 2) to discuss any urgent costs you need to pay. You’ll need your personal reference number beginning with BRV.
Inheritance Tax
Depending on the value of the estate and who it is left to, Inheritance Tax might need to be paid. There are certain exemptions for money and assets passing to a spouse, civil partner or charity.
To find out about Government support, and options for paying inheritance tax, please visit their website.
Executor accounts
An Executor account allows the estate’s executors or administrators to gather all the deceased’s finances in one place.
Only the estate’s executors or administrators can open an Executor account – they’ll need to book an appointment all together at one of our branches.
They’ll need to provide
- A copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration
- Proof of their ID, like a passport or driving licence
- Proof of their address
People who live outside the UK can’t open an Executor account.
If you’d like to speak to someone about an existing Executor’s account, please contact us on 0800 068 22381 and select option 6.
What to do when money is owed
If the person that’s passed away has any loans, overdrafts or a Barclaycard with us, we’ll pay off what they owe from their current account and savings accounts, after allowing money for priority bills such as a funeral. We’ll then release any money that’s left to the executor or administrator.
If there’s not enough money in the account to pay off everything that’s owed, we may ask our bereavement partner, Phillips & Cohen, to work with the estate to pay off the debt. Phillips & Cohen is the UK’s only dedicated deceased account management business. They offer support and guidance that can help resolve outstanding accounts.
Only the estate is responsible for paying the debt – if there’s no money available, the executor or administrator won’t be asked to cover what’s owed by the person who passed away. If you have any questions about this, please get in touch with our bereavement team on 0800 068 22382.
If you’re worried about making payments to your accounts – whether these were joint accounts or have always been in your sole name – we’re here to help. You just need to get in touch.
Useful links for further information and guidance
Age UK provides information and advice for people over 50 on 020 7278 1114.
Bereavement Advice Centre supports and advises people on what they need to do after a death – call free on 0800 634 9494.
Citizens Advice offers free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on your rights and responsibilities.
Co-op Legal Services offers free resources and tools to help you understand probate and estate planning. You can also get a free quote for probate services – call 0330 041 7819.
Cruse Bereavement Care has a free helpline for coping with grief – call 0808 808 1677.
MoneyHelper gives free advice on managing your money on 0800 138 7777.
Money management is our guide to helping you make informed decisions about your finances.
Samaritans provides confidential, non-judgemental support all day, every day, on 116 123.
You can also download our bereavement guide [PDF, 271KB] which sets out things to think about in the days, weeks and months to come.
The next steps
Bereavement
How we can help and support you
Dealing with the financial affairs of someone close to you when you’re grieving is never easy. We hope our guide will help you through this difficult time.
