Most banks will have their own individual procedure for closing a bank account after the title holder of the account passes away. Read the article to know how to write a death claim letter format to the bank and also check out the samples for the same.Sub: Request to close an account due to death. Closing a bank account when someone passes away isn't difficult, as long as you have the right paperwork for the the teller or banker. We're sorry for your loss and know this is a difficult time. Banks generally cannot close a deceased account until after the person's estate has gone through probate or has otherwise settled. This could just be a death certificate and your driver's license. It could also require opening an estate and getting letters testamentary. In the participant's account after the participant dies to the participant's surviving spouse. In Pennsylvania, a death certificate is printed on specialized security paper that contains a raised seal.