Notify Bank of America. We'll ask you for the deceased customer's full legal name and Social Security number to identify their accounts.1. Under the To do list, in the Upload document(s) section, click on the blue document link and a pop up will appear. One thing for sure is that the bank will want to know the specific reasons for the removal request as the next-to-kin. The beneficiary or beneficiaries must provide notarized letters of instruction in addition to the death certificate. Both joint account with right of. Select your relationship to the owner in the dropdown and then select Next. When the deceased's estate is small, you can claim the proceeds of the bank account using a small estates affidavit. In New York State, the Surrogate's Court decides what happens to a person's property when that person dies. I called Bank of America to inquire why they would send a letter saying my mother was dead and they needed her death certificate if she is not dead.