Sample Letter – Asking for a debt write-off when someone is deceased. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account.After someone dies, notify the government programs and businesses they used. Cancel benefits payments and close or transfer accounts. You may need to contact lenders and creditors to notify them the person is deceased and the accounts need to be closed, even if the account has a zero balance. When your spouse dies, you'll need to notify lenders that accounts held in your spouse's name alone should be closed. My mom recently passed away. Here's what to know about the rules and your rights when a collector contacts you about a deceased relative's debts. Get official copies of the Death certificates. I would bring the death certificate to the bank so they know that the family member in question has died.