Certified or photocopy of Decedent's Death Certificate. 3. Present either of these letters to the bank along with the death certificate to close the account.To close a bank account after death, you must completely liquidate its funds. Not all of a decedent's assets must go through probate before being distributed. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court. What does it mean when someone dies "intestate"? You'll just need the death certificate and your ID. The bank should close the account and make checks payable to the beneficiary. The first and foremost thing you must do to close a bank account upon the death of a loved one is to inform the bank of this death. – Bank of America accounts. Contact Estate Servicing Operations to speak with our dedicated team. 888.689.