To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Please note: For all account types, we require a death certificate.Provide a final copy of the death certificate and any clerk-issued documentation to the decedent's financial institutions to close or retitle accounts. As the owner, you contribute to the account, and it grows tax-deferred. What Happens to Retirement Accounts Upon the Owner's Death in North Carolina? With this done set up, you can deposit or transfer the funds of the deceased into this separate account. You still control all the money in the account—your POD beneficiary has no rights to the money, and you can spend it all if you want. This is how a spouse may take control of a deceased partner's bank accounts, car loans, etc. If the member's account has been closed, you should contact the Clerk of Court in the county of the deceased member for estate information.