Bereavements

The loss of a loved one is a particularly difficult and confusing time. It can be hard to know where to start.

We’re here to help and support you and your family and will make any dealings you have with us as simple as possible. 

There are many difficult aspects to deal with and decisions to make, following the loss of a family member or friend. We want to help to make things easier by assisting with the organisation of financial matters.

 

We have dedicated team members within each of our branches, who can help guide you through the process and provide the support that you need. You can also email us, call us or write to us using the following details and a member of our team will be in touch:

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Visit one of our Branches

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01257 235003 (Savers)

01257 235001 (Mortgages)

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Chorley Building Society Key House Foxhole Road, Chorley, PR7 1NZ

The documents we require

We will need the original or a certified copy of one of the following:


•    Death certificate 
•    An interim death certificate
•    A death certificate verification form (from your solicitor)

Who can inform us?

You will need to be the deceased’s next of kin or personal representative. 

Unless you are an existing customer, we will require one form of identification. Details of acceptable identification can be found here.

If you are contacting us by telephone, email or post you will need to send an original or certified copy of your identification to us via the post.

Once we have been notified of the death, all payments to and from the Savings the account will be frozen.

What happens with a joint savings account?

If a savings account is held in joint names, the account will automatically pass to the other account holder.

Once we have seen the required documentation, we will make the amends to the account and your passbook (if applicable).

What happens with a savings account in a sole name?

This will depend on the overall total balances held with the Society. 

•    For balances below £15,000 we require a Statutory Declaration form to be completed and signed by a Commissioner for Oaths or Solicitor. We will then be able to release the funds to the confirmed beneficiary. A copy of this form can be found here


•    For balances above £15,000 we require a copy of the Grant of Probate or the Letters of Administration. All representatives named on Probate or the Letters of Administration will be required to provide identification and sign for the closure of the account.


•    Closures can be requested and certified identification can be sent to any of our 3 branches or by writing to us at our Head Office address.

Details of acceptable identification can be found here.

 

What happens if you need to pay urgent bills such as funeral costs?

Funds can be accessed immediately by the next of kin or personal representative/s for urgent bills however these are limited to funeral costs, inheritance tax or probate fees and an invoice must be provided. 

The Society will issue a cheque payable to the relevant organisation.

Withdrawals can be requested in branch, or by writing to us at our Head Office.

What happens if you have a mortgage with the Society?

We will need the original or a certified copy of one of the following:


•    Death certificate 
•    An interim death certificate
•    A death certificate verification form (from your solicitor)

What else we will need from you will depend on whether the mortgage was in the individual’s sole name or in joint names with somebody else. For further guidance, please contact our mortgage team by calling us on 01257 235001 or emailing mortgages@chorleybs.co.uk.