The first time you notice the money side of grief is often ordinary. A phone buzzes with a payment notification. A subscription renews. A Direct Debit goes out like nothing has changed, even though everything has. If your loved one used Monzo, you might be holding their bright coral card in your hand, wondering whether you’re supposed to freeze the account, close it, or somehow “pause” it until you can breathe again.
There is no perfect moment to start, and there is no prize for doing it fast. But there is real relief in having a clear path. Monzo has a dedicated bereavement process designed to help families report a death, understand what happens to the account, and transfer any remaining balance in a way that matches estate rules. This guide walks you through what to expect, what documents Monzo may request, and how to handle joint or business accounts with fewer surprises along the way.
Start where you are: what “notifying Monzo” actually means
When you notify Monzo of death, you are not asking permission to grieve. You’re simply letting the bank know that the account holder has died so the right safeguards can be put in place and the account can be closed or managed correctly. In practice, the notification triggers a bereavement workflow: Monzo’s bereavement specialists guide the next steps, explain what they need from you, and help you understand how the remaining balance can be transferred.
The simplest official starting point is Monzo’s bereavement page, which directs you to submit details and documents through their process: Monzo. Monzo also publishes guidance explaining what happens during closure and what they may ask for: Monzo. If you prefer to read the help-centre version of the same topic (including where to email), you can also refer here: Monzo.
It can help to remember this: anyone can report a death, but banks can only follow instructions about releasing money when the right person has authority. That authority might be the executor (if there’s a will), an administrator (if there isn’t), or sometimes the next of kin depending on the situation and the amount involved.
Before you contact Monzo, gather a small “paperwork bundle”
Families often get stuck because they start with the hardest question—“How do I close the account?”—when the easier, more useful question is, “What will they ask me for?” Most banks (including app-based banks) want proof of death and proof of identity for whoever is acting on the estate’s behalf. Monzo’s own guidance notes that death certificates can vary and that they accept most formal records, but may need additional documents if the record is not in English or lacks an English key.
If you can, collect these items before you begin. You don’t need everything to make the initial report, but having them ready usually reduces back-and-forth:
- A death certificate or other formal record of death (Monzo’s bereavement guidance explains what they may accept).
- Your photo ID (passport or driving licence, for example) if you are the person Monzo will be corresponding with.
- The deceased’s basic details (full name, date of birth, last address) and any Monzo identifiers you can find (email address used for the account, phone number, or card details if available).
- Any document showing your authority to act, if you already have it (for example, a grant of probate or letters of administration).
If you are supporting a family in the United States and you’re used to a different system, don’t let the UK terminology throw you. The idea is the same: banks need to confirm who is legally allowed to give instructions. If you want a calm, practical checklist for organizing bank notifications after a death, Funeral.com has a straightforward preparation guide you can use alongside Monzo’s requirements: Notifying Banks After a Death: A Simple Preparation List.
How to contact Monzo’s bereavement support
For most families, the fastest route is to use Monzo’s dedicated bereavement process on their site: Monzo. Monzo also notes in their help-centre article that you can email their bereavement address with questions and follow-up: Monzo.
What you say does not need to be elaborate. A simple, human message works:
“I’m writing to report that [Full Name] died on [date]. I am [relationship/role]. Please tell me the next steps and what documents you need to close the account and handle any remaining balance.”
If you are juggling dozens of notifications, Monzo also points families toward UK services that can help notify multiple organisations in one place. One example is the Death Notification Service, which can reduce repeated phone calls and duplicate submissions.
What happens to the Monzo account after you report a death
Families often worry that notifying the bank will “mess something up,” especially if they need funds for immediate expenses. In reality, the purpose of the bereavement process is to protect the account from fraud while also making legitimate transfers possible. Once Monzo has what they need, they can close the account and return the remaining balance to the appropriate recipient.
Monzo’s public bereavement guidance lays out a few details that are especially helpful to know in advance. First, they may ask for an indemnity form depending on the amount in the account. In their published explanation, Monzo says they will ask for an indemnity form if the balance is over £100, and they also describe different requirements at different balance levels (including when probate documentation may be needed). For example, Monzo’s guidance explains that for smaller balances they may only need ID and bank details for where the funds should be returned, while larger balances can require probate or letters of administration: Monzo.
Second, Monzo addresses a very real, very practical concern: funeral expenses. Their guidance explains that if you are relying on funds in the account to pay funeral costs or settle an invoice, Monzo can work directly with next of kin to transfer money to the funeral director, and they may ask for a copy of the funeral service invoice: Monzo. If you’re in those early days and you’re trying to understand what should happen first—calls, paperwork, arrangements—Funeral.com’s step-by-step guide can help you steady the order of operations: What to Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Checklist for the First 48 Hours.
Third, Monzo notes that the same notification process can be used for joint and business accounts, which is reassuring when a person had more than one relationship with the bank: Monzo.
Handling the remaining balance during estate administration
One of the most emotionally loaded moments in any bereavement process is when money becomes part of the conversation. It can feel cold to talk about balances and transfers when someone has just died. But handling funds properly is a form of care: it protects the estate, prevents identity theft, and reduces conflict later.
In many cases, Monzo can transfer the remaining balance once they receive the required documents, but the “who” and “how” depend on authority. If you are the executor or administrator, you may be asked for probate documentation. If you are next of kin, you may be asked for ID and forms that allow Monzo to release funds appropriately. Monzo’s published guidance describes how documentation requirements change based on account balance, and it also notes a typical transfer timeframe once they receive everything they need: Monzo.
If you are in the UK and unsure whether probate is required—or you’re simply trying to understand the vocabulary—GOV.UK provides an official overview of how to apply for probate or letters of administration: GOV.UK. For broader financial next steps after a death, Citizens Advice also provides a clear, plain-language guide to handling someone’s financial affairs: Citizens Advice.
If you are in the United States, estate rules and terminology will differ by state, but the underlying principle is the same: financial institutions require proof of death and proof of authority. If you want a gentle explanation of what executors actually do and how probate works in practice, Funeral.com has a plain-language overview designed for real families: Estate Planning Basics After a Death: Wills, Probate, and What Executors Actually Do.
Joint accounts: what changes for the surviving account holder
If your loved one had a joint Monzo account, you may feel an extra layer of urgency. Joint accounts often pay the household bills, hold emergency savings, and serve as the practical center of daily life. Monzo’s bereavement guidance explains that they will close the joint account if one person has died, and that the surviving joint account holder will need to move any money into their personal account and switch over Direct Debits and standing orders. Monzo says they will reach out to guide the process: Monzo.
This is one place where “slow and careful” helps. Before you switch everything over, take a moment to look at what flows through the account: rent or mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, subscriptions, childcare, charitable giving. If your loved one handled the finances, you may discover accounts you didn’t know existed. Funeral.com’s digital closure checklist can help you capture those loose ends without trying to guess passwords or force access: Digital Accounts After a Death: A Practical Closure Checklist.
Business accounts: what Monzo may need from you
When someone dies who ran a small business, a freelance practice, or a limited company, the money questions can become both urgent and complex. Payroll, client deposits, recurring software, tax payments—these don’t pause for grief. Monzo’s guidance notes that you can report a death for business accounts in the same way, and that if you know any instructions for how the business account should be managed, you should let them know: Monzo.
If the business was a limited company, the “account closure” question may intersect with company administration steps. This is one of those areas where it can be worth getting advice from an accountant, solicitor, or the appropriate government resource for your jurisdiction. The key is not to improvise transfers that could later be questioned. Instead, document what you’re doing, keep receipts, and work within the estate or corporate framework you’re operating under.
What if the account has an overdraft, loan, or Monzo Flex balance?
Families sometimes fear that reporting a death will create a sudden demand for payment. In most cases, the goal is clarity, not pressure. Monzo’s bereavement guidance explains that if the person who died had outstanding debts or an overdraft with Monzo, their bereavement specialists can discuss repayment and settlement options with you: Monzo.
As a general principle, debts are typically handled through the estate rather than paid personally by relatives—though rules vary, and it’s important not to assume responsibility without understanding your legal position. If you feel uncertain, a short consultation with a probate professional can prevent costly mistakes.
When you’re also managing the digital estate
Monzo is a bank, but it’s also an app, and that matters. Many families discover that the hardest part isn’t “closing the account,” it’s untangling how digital life was structured around one person’s phone number. Two-factor codes, subscription receipts, and app-only statements can create a practical barrier when you’re trying to settle an estate carefully.
If you’re tempted to log in as the deceased person, pause. Even when you have good intentions, accessing someone’s financial accounts without permission can create legal and security risks. A safer path is the official bereavement route, supported by documentation. Funeral.com’s digital accounts guide is written for exactly this moment—when the goal is closure, not accidental data loss or lockouts: Digital Accounts After a Death: A Practical Closure Checklist.
And if you’re reading this as someone planning ahead—trying to make life easier for your family later—this is where small preparations matter. A list of accounts, a secure password manager, and clear instructions about who should do what can turn months of confusion into a handful of manageable steps. Funeral planning isn’t only about services and paperwork; it’s also about leaving fewer loose ends behind. If you want a calm overview of what typically matters most in the first week, including financial notifications, Funeral.com’s checklist can help you plan with less fear: The First Week After a Death: A Calm Checklist of What Matters Most.
A gentle closing thought
Closing a bank account after a death can feel strangely intimate. You’re handling the last practical traces of a life—direct deposits, saving habits, small purchases, the quiet evidence of routine. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s not a sign you’re doing it wrong. It’s a sign this mattered.
Take one step, then another. Start with Monzo’s bereavement process, gather the documents you can, and let their specialists guide you through the rest. Keep notes. Save copies. Ask for clarity when something doesn’t make sense. And when you need a wider roadmap—how to organize notifications, how to manage the estate, how to handle the digital pieces—use the resources that are built for families, one practical question at a time.
If you’re navigating multiple accounts, you may also find it helpful to keep a master checklist alongside this Monzo-specific process. You can start with these Funeral.com guides:
