Coventry Building Society bereavement: 0800 587 4565

Coventry Building Society is the UK’s second-largest building society, with more than two million members holding savings accounts, cash ISAs, fixed-rate bonds, and mortgages. When a member dies, the accounts need to be reported to CBS’s specialist bereavement team. Sole accounts are frozen immediately, joint accounts pass automatically to the surviving holder, and funds are released through a straightforward process that depends on the size of the estate.

This guide covers every step: the phone number to call, how to notify online or in branch, what documents you will need, what happens to each account type (including ISAs and fixed-rate bonds), when probate is required, how to pay inheritance tax before probate using IHT423, and what to do if CBS also holds the mortgage.

Quick reference:

• Phone: 0800 587 4565 (Monday–Friday, 8am–7pm; Saturday, 9am–2pm; closed bank holidays)
• Mortgage enquiries: 0800 121 8765 (same hours)
• Additional Allowance ISA enquiries: 0800 121 8899
• Online form: Register a bereavement
• Post: Coventry Building Society, Oakfield House, PO Box 600, Coventry, CV3 9YR
• Probate required if: sole account balances total more than £50,000

CBS and The Co-operative Bank: what the 2025 acquisition means

On 1 January 2025, Coventry Building Society completed its acquisition of The Co-operative Bank in a £780 million deal. CBS remains a mutual building society and continues to operate under its own brand. The Co-operative Bank runs as a separate subsidiary with its own products, branch network, and customer service.

For bereavement purposes, nothing has changed. If the deceased held CBS accounts, notify CBS directly on the contact details above. If they also held Co-op Bank accounts, those must be notified to Co-op Bank separately on 03457 212 212 – the two organisations do not share bereavement teams or account systems at this stage. Both organisations maintain their own FSCS protection, so if the deceased held accounts at both, each is protected independently up to the £85,000 limit.

See our guide to Co-op Bank bereavement for the Co-op Bank process.

How to notify Coventry Building Society of a death

CBS offers four ways to register a bereavement. There is no requirement to phone first – the online form works just as well and takes around ten minutes.

By phone – Call 0800 587 4565 (free from UK landlines and mobiles), Monday to Friday 8am–7pm or Saturday 9am–2pm. The line connects directly to CBS’s specialist bereavement team. Have the deceased’s full name, date of birth, address, and date of death to hand. You do not need every document ready before you call – CBS will confirm what to send once they have registered the death.

Online – The bereavement notification form is at coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk/member/help/member-support/register-a-bereavement. It collects your details, your relationship to the deceased, the deceased’s personal details (name, date of birth, date of death, last address), and basic account information. You can submit without account numbers to hand – they are helpful but not required. CBS writes to you with next steps once the notification has been processed.

In branch – Any CBS branch can accept an initial bereavement notification. Branch staff can take a copy of the death certificate on the spot and start the process on your behalf. This is useful if you would rather hand over documents in person.

By post – Write to: Coventry Building Society, Oakfield House, PO Box 600, Coventry, CV3 9YR. Include the deceased’s name, date of birth, date of death, any account numbers you have, and a certified copy of the death certificate.

What to have ready at the point of notification

At the initial stage, CBS needs:

• The deceased’s full name, date of birth, and last address
• The date of death
• Your full name, address, and relationship to the deceased
• Any CBS account numbers you have (helpful, but not required to get started)

CBS will write to you with a full breakdown of all accounts held and instructions on what to send next. Allow 5–10 working days to receive that letter.

What documents you will need

The documents required depend on the total balance held across all sole savings accounts. CBS’s threshold is £50,000.

Death certificate – CBS accepts a copy. You do not need to send the original. In branch, staff can copy it on the spot and return the original immediately. For interim death certificates (issued before the inquest is complete), CBS will also accept these.

Account closure form – CBS sends this once the death has been registered. It must be completed and signed by all executors or personal representatives named in the will or letters of administration.

Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration – Required before CBS will release funds from any sole account with a combined balance over £50,000. Apply through the HMCTS probate service. In Scotland, the equivalent is Confirmation, issued by the local Sheriff Court.

What happens to each account type

Sole savings accounts

On notification, CBS freezes any sole savings account in the deceased’s name. No money can be paid in or withdrawn. Savings continue to earn gross interest from the date of death until the account is closed – the interest is part of the estate and taxed accordingly.

Once CBS has the death certificate and the appropriate closure documentation, they will transfer the balance to the executor’s nominated bank account.

Joint savings accounts

The key question here is how the account is held – as joint tenants or tenants in common. The two work differently on death:

Joint tenants – the most common arrangement for savings accounts. The account transfers automatically to the surviving holder(s) on receipt of the death certificate. The account continues to operate as normal; existing direct debits and standing orders carry over without interruption. No probate is required, regardless of balance.

Tenants in common – the deceased’s share forms part of their estate. CBS requires a grant of representation (probate or letters of administration) before that share can be dealt with. If you are unsure how an account is held, call the bereavement team and they will confirm.

Cash ISAs

A CBS cash ISA in the deceased’s sole name is treated like any other sole savings account for estate administration: the funds are frozen, interest continues to accrue tax-free until the account is closed (or until the third anniversary of death, whichever is earlier), and release follows the same probate threshold rules.

Post-death deposits – if any funds are received into the ISA after the date of death (other than interest), those deposits must be withdrawn to comply with HMRC rules.

The Additional Allowance ISA (APS) – this is the most commonly missed benefit on the estate of a CBS ISA holder. If the deceased was married to, or in a civil partnership with, the surviving partner at the time of death, the survivor may be entitled to an additional ISA allowance equal to the value of the deceased’s CBS ISA savings. CBS calls this the Additional Allowance ISA; the government term is Additional Permitted Subscription (APS).

For deaths on or after 6 April 2018, the allowance is based on the highest CBS ISA balance at whichever comes first:

• The date the ISA is closed
• The date the estate administration is completed
• The third anniversary of the death

The allowance is separate from the surviving partner’s own annual ISA allowance – it does not reduce it. All deposits must be made within three years of the death, or within 180 days of the estate administration completing, whichever is later.

To apply, request an application pack by calling 0800 121 8899 or writing to CBS. The application must be submitted by post. CBS will not raise this allowance proactively during the bereavement process – surviving spouses and civil partners should ask for it specifically.

For the broader rules on what happens to ISAs on death, see our guide to what happens to an ISA when someone dies.

Fixed-rate bonds and notice accounts

Fixed-rate bonds and notice accounts are common CBS products, and they work slightly differently on death compared to easy-access savings.

Interest entitlement – the estate is entitled to all interest that has accrued up to the date of closure, not just to the date of death. Savings continue to earn gross interest after death.

Early closure – normally, CBS fixed-rate bonds cannot be closed before maturity without charges, and notice accounts require advance notice of withdrawal. On death, the bereavement team will discuss the options for the estate – in practice, CBS handles fixed-rate bond closures as part of the estate process. If you have specific questions about a fixed-rate bond or notice account in the deceased’s name, call the bereavement team directly on 0800 587 4565.

Mortgages

If CBS holds the mortgage, notify the bereavement team about it at the same time as savings accounts. You can call the mortgage bereavement line on 0800 121 8765 (the general bereavement number 0800 587 4565 can also accept initial notifications for mortgages).

The process depends on how the mortgage is held:

Joint tenants mortgage – CBS amends the account to the remaining holder(s) on receipt of the death certificate. The surviving borrower takes over the mortgage. Early repayment charges may apply if the mortgage is subsequently redeemed.

Tenants in common mortgage – a grant of representation is required before further action can be taken. The personal representative and surviving co-owner will then need to discuss options with CBS.

Sole mortgage – an executor can continue making mortgage payments to prevent arrears from building up. CBS can provide a redemption statement once they have reviewed the grant of representation. The estate will then need to decide whether to sell the property, transfer it, or arrange refinancing.

Equity release / lifetime mortgage – if the deceased held a lifetime mortgage with CBS, the loan must typically be repaid within 12 months of death. If unpaid after 12 months, interest charges cease but CBS may need to take possession of the property for sale. Notify the bereavement team as early as possible.

Do not stop making mortgage payments without speaking to CBS first. Contact them as soon as possible to agree a plan. For a broader overview, see our guide to what happens to a mortgage when someone dies.

Direct debits and standing orders on sole accounts

When a sole account is frozen, direct debits and standing orders associated with it stop being processed. CBS will not notify payees on your behalf. Contact utilities, insurers, and subscription providers separately to make alternative arrangements. For a guide to cancelling direct debits after a death, see our guide to what happens to direct debits.

Probate and the £50,000 threshold

Probate is the legal process that grants authority to administer a deceased person’s estate. Whether CBS requires it depends on the combined total balance held across all sole accounts.

CBS’s threshold is £50,000 (confirmed on the CBS bereavement pages at coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk, verified June 2026):

• Under £50,000 – the account closure form alone is sufficient. All personal representatives sign it, and CBS releases the funds without requiring a Grant of Probate.
• Over £50,000 – a Grant of Probate (England and Wales with a will), Letters of Administration (England and Wales without a will), or Certificate of Confirmation (Scotland) is required before CBS will release funds.

The assessment covers all CBS sole accounts combined. If the deceased held several savings accounts and fixed-rate bonds with CBS that together exceed £50,000, probate will be needed even if no single account reaches that level. Joint accounts are excluded from the calculation entirely.

For comparison, the £50,000 threshold is the same as Halifax, Nationwide, and Yorkshire Building Society. TSB and Monzo both use a lower threshold of £25,000.

For more detail on the probate process, see our guide to applying for probate.

Early payment for estate costs

Before probate is granted, CBS can release funds from the account to cover specific costs directly. These include:

• Funeral expenses, memorial stones and plaques, and death notices
• Probate fees and letters of administration fees
• Court fees
• Inheritance tax payable to HMRC

IHT423 direct payment – when inheritance tax is due, executors often face a difficult situation: HMRC requires the IHT to be paid before probate is granted, but the estate funds are locked until probate is issued. The IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme resolves this by allowing CBS (and other participating institutions) to transfer IHT directly to HMRC from the deceased’s account before probate, without the executor needing to find funds elsewhere.

The process involves five steps:

1. Request an IHT reference number – apply using form IHT422 (or online at HMRC). Do this at least three weeks before you intend to make a payment, as HMRC takes up to three weeks to issue the reference number.
2. Complete form IHT400 – this is the full Inheritance Tax account, submitted to HMRC along with supplementary pages and supporting documents.
3. Complete form IHT423 – one form per financial institution. Include the IHT reference number and the amount to be transferred. Send the completed IHT423 to CBS (not to HMRC).
4. CBS transfers funds to HMRC – CBS pays HMRC directly from the account for the amount specified on the IHT423 form.
5. HMRC issues probate code – once the IHT is settled, HMRC issues a receipt code which is needed to complete the probate application online.

The IHT423 form is available from gov.uk (source: HMRC, verified June 2026). If inheritance tax is likely to be due, start the IHT422 reference number application as early as possible – the three-week lead time can delay the whole probate process if left late.

For funeral expenses, CBS can pay suppliers directly or reimburse someone who has already paid – if requesting reimbursement, CBS will ask for receipts and bank statements confirming payment details.

Tell Us Once and the Death Notification Service

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to notify multiple government departments (HMRC, DWP, DVLA, local council, and others) of a death in a single step. It does not cover banks or building societies, including Coventry Building Society. You must notify CBS directly, regardless of whether you use Tell Us Once. See our Tell Us Once guide for what it does cover.

Death Notification Service (DNS)

The Death Notification Service is a UK Finance scheme that allows a single notification to reach multiple banks and building societies simultaneously. It is useful if the deceased held accounts at multiple institutions. However, Coventry Building Society is not a DNS member (verified at deathnotificationservice.co.uk, June 2026). CBS requires direct notification by phone, online form, in branch, or by post.

DNS members among building societies include Leeds Building Society, Marsden Building Society, and Nationwide. If the deceased held accounts at any DNS-member institutions alongside their CBS accounts, you can use the DNS for those while notifying CBS separately.

If the estate is in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Scotland

In Scotland, the equivalent of probate is Confirmation, granted by the local Sheriff Court rather than the Probate Registry in England and Wales. CBS will require a Certificate of Confirmation before releasing funds from sole accounts above its £50,000 threshold.

For small estates valued at £36,000 or less at the date of death, a simplified procedure is available through the Sheriff Court using forms C1 and C5(SE)(2006). The Sheriff Court clerk can assist with completing the forms, and no bond of caution is required under this route. However, CBS’s own threshold still applies independently: even if a Scottish estate qualifies as a small estate under Scottish law, CBS may still require Confirmation before releasing funds above its own internal threshold. Confirm directly with CBS what they need for a Scottish estate.

For more detail, see the Scottish Courts guidance on dealing with a deceased’s estate.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, probate is granted through the Probate and Matrimonial Office at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, rather than through the England and Wales Probate Registry. The process is broadly similar – a grant of probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if there is no will) is required for estates where it is needed. CBS applies the same £50,000 threshold for Northern Ireland estates as for England and Wales.

What to do first: a step-by-step guide

1. Register the death – you must register the death before you can officially notify most financial institutions. You can register at any register office. The registrar will give you the death certificate and can start the Tell Us Once process.

2. Locate CBS accounts – search old correspondence, bank statements, and emails (CBS may have emailed from @coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk or occasionally @thecoventry.co.uk). CBS passbooks, savings account books, and welcome letters will also confirm account details.

3. Notify CBS – call 0800 587 4565 or use the online form. You do not need account numbers to get started. For mortgages, also call 0800 121 8765.

4. Wait for CBS’s letter – CBS will write to the person dealing with the estate within 5–10 working days. The letter will confirm all accounts held and what documents to send next.

5. Submit the closure documentation – complete and return the account closure form. All executors named in the will need to sign. If sole account balances total more than £50,000, you will also need to submit the Grant of Probate.

6. Ask about the Additional Allowance ISA – if the deceased held a CBS cash ISA and the surviving spouse or civil partner wants to preserve the ISA wrapper, ask CBS about the Additional Allowance ISA application pack. Do not wait – the three-year deadline begins from the date of death.

7. Arrange funeral cost payments if needed – if funds are required for funeral expenses or IHT before probate, ask CBS about early payment from the account.

How long it takes

There is no fixed timeline. The main variable is whether probate is required, and if so, how long that takes.

CBS’s own processing, once they have all the documents, is measured in weeks. The longer delays come from obtaining the Grant of Probate – particularly if inheritance tax is due, if the will is contested, or if the estate is complex.

If you are unsure whether the total CBS sole account balance exceeds £50,000, call the bereavement team – they can confirm the total balances held across all accounts in the deceased’s name.

Things to watch out for

Ask about the inherited ISA allowance straight away. The Additional Allowance ISA for a surviving spouse or civil partner has a three-year deadline from the date of death (or 180 days after estate completion, if later). CBS does not raise it automatically. Ask specifically when you first contact the bereavement team.

Check for both savings and a mortgage. CBS is primarily known as a savings provider, but it has a significant mortgage book. If the deceased was a CBS mortgage holder, notify the mortgage bereavement line (0800 121 8765) at the same time as savings – the processes run in parallel and it avoids delays.

All executors may need to sign. If there are multiple executors named in the will, all of them may need to sign the closure form. If one executor is abroad or difficult to reach, factor this in early.

Do not send original documents by post. CBS accepts copies of the death certificate. In branch, staff can copy it and return the original on the spot. If originals are lost in the post, obtaining a replacement from the General Register Office takes time and costs money.

Tenants in common vs joint tenants matters. The distinction between joint tenancy and tenancy in common affects whether a joint account transfers automatically or whether probate is required for the deceased’s share. If you are not sure how an account or property is held, CBS’s team can confirm.

ISA tax-free status extends after death. A CBS cash ISA continues to earn tax-free interest from the date of death until the account is closed, the estate administration is completed, or three years have passed – whichever comes first. The estate benefits from this continued tax-free treatment; it does not lapse immediately on death.

CBS is a mutual building society. CBS accounts may not appear in tools designed to locate bank accounts. If you suspect the deceased held a CBS account but cannot find paperwork, search old post or email for correspondence from “Coventry Building Society” or “thecoventry.co.uk”.

Summary

To notify Coventry Building Society of a death, call 0800 587 4565 (Monday–Friday, 8am–7pm; Saturday, 9am–2pm) or complete the online form at coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk/member/help/member-support/register-a-bereavement. Have the deceased’s name, date of birth, date of death, and any account numbers to hand.

CBS freezes sole accounts immediately and transfers joint accounts (held as joint tenants) to the surviving holder on receipt of the death certificate. For sole accounts, a Grant of Probate is required if the combined sole balance exceeds £50,000; below that threshold, the account closure form alone is sufficient.

If the deceased held a CBS cash ISA and was married or in a civil partnership, the surviving partner should ask CBS directly about the Additional Allowance ISA – a time-limited allowance that lets them preserve the ISA wrapper and tax benefits.

If you also need to notify other building societies, see our guides to Nationwide, Yorkshire Building Society, Skipton Building Society, and Leeds Building Society.

Sources: Coventry Building Society bereavement page (coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk, verified June 2026); CBS bereavement FAQs (coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk, verified June 2026); CBS Additional Allowance ISA (coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk, verified June 2026); CBS acquisition announcement (coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk, verified June 2026); Death Notification Service – who can I notify (deathnotificationservice.co.uk, verified June 2026); HMCTS probate service (gov.uk); IHT423 form (gov.uk); Pay Inheritance Tax from deceased’s account (gov.uk); Scottish Courts – dealing with a deceased’s estate (scotcourts.gov.uk).