To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. KeyBank guides you through the process of settling a loved one's financial accounts after they die.Most joint bank or credit union accounts are held with "rights of survivorship. You don't have to remove a deceased spouse from a joint bank account, and your account will function normally. Can you still withdraw money from a joint account if one person dies? The co-owner of the account usually assumes full ownership. My dad passed away two months ago. Got the death certificate in hand and went to the bank to close his account. In general, you need your spouse's consent to remove them from a joint account. Notify Bank of America.