To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. Most banks will have their own individual procedure for closing a bank account after the title holder of the account passes away.Copy of the Original Death Certificate must be provided in all cases. • Original Short Certificate or Letters of Administration as applicable. Online: Use our online form to notify us about a customer's death. To take a name off a joint bank account, banks require a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate. In Pennsylvania, the funeral home you work with will typically help facilitate this. A business entity "outlives" individuals, and the request is reasonable. Find an operating agreement online. The personal income tax return of the decedent is due the April following the death.