What to do when a KEMBA account holder dies
Contact KEMBA — 9-step process, 6 required documents, and pod accounts typically processed within 5-10 business days upon verification; joint accounts updated immediately; estate accounts requiring probate vary based on court timelines
Member Services
Phone1-614-235-2395
Toll-Free1-800-282-6420
Emailservice@kemba.org
Fax1-614-324-8360
Mailing Address
PO Box 307370, Gahanna, OH 43230
WebsiteLearn more →
Member Services
Phone1-614-235-2395
Toll-Free1-800-282-6420
Emailservice@kemba.org
Fax1-614-324-8360
Mailing Address
PO Box 307370, Gahanna, OH 43230
WebsiteLearn more →
Member Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-614-235-2395
Toll-Free1-800-282-6420
Fax1-614-324-8360
Mailing Address
KEMBA Financial Credit Union, PO Box 307370, Gahanna, OH 43230
Verified Mar 2026
When a KEMBA member passes away, the Member Services (Death Claims) handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
The claim process begins with a phone call to 1-614-235-2395. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at KEMBA:
Filing a claim
1Contact KEMBA Member Services at 614-235-2395 (option 4) or toll-free at 800-282-6420
2Or visit any KEMBA branch location to notify them of the death
3KEMBA may continue to honor transactions on the account until they receive notice of the member's death
4After notice, KEMBA may continue to pay checks for up to 10 days unless instructed otherwise by someone with an interest in the account
5For POD accounts: named beneficiary provides certified death certificate and government-issued photo ID to receive funds
6For joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner retains full access; provide death certificate to update records
7For accounts without joint owners or POD designations: account passes to the deceased's estate
8Executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to access estate funds
9Stop any automatic payments or deposits on the deceased member's accounts
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant (unexpired)
- Deceased member's Social Security number or account number
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if estate requires probate)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under Ohio Revised Code)
- Trust documents (if trust is beneficiary or account is trust-titled)
Per KEMBA's membership agreement, the credit union may honor transactions on a deceased member's account until they receive notice of death. Even with notice, checks may continue to be paid for up to 10 days unless someone with an interest in the account requests a stop payment. For insurance claims (TruStage AD&D and Life), file online at myclaimportal.cunamutual.com or myclaim.trustage.com.
Processing timelines at KEMBA: POD accounts typically processed within 5-10 business days upon verification; joint accounts updated immediately; estate accounts requiring probate vary based on court timelines. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
KEMBA requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant (unexpired), and Deceased member's Social Security number or account number, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any KEMBA branch, call Member Services at 614-235-2395 (option 4), or mail a completed beneficiary form. You will need the beneficiary's legal name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. POD (Payable on Death) designations can be changed, added, or removed at any time.
Unless otherwise stated on the membership application, joint accounts include rights of survivorship. When one owner dies, all sums in the account pass to the surviving owner(s) without probate. Provide a death certificate to KEMBA to update account records.
When there is more than one surviving POD beneficiary, they own the funds jointly in equal shares without rights of survivorship, unless Ohio law provides otherwise. This means each beneficiary receives an equal portion of the account balance.
Contact KEMBA Member Services at 614-235-2395 (option 4) or visit a branch. You will need a certified death certificate, your government-issued ID, and the deceased's Social Security number or account number. For probate estates, provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. KEMBA may continue to pay checks for up to 10 days after receiving notice of death.
For TruStage AD&D and Life insurance claims, file online at myclaimportal.cunamutual.com or myclaim.trustage.com. For assistance, contact KEMBA Member Services at 614-235-2395 (option 4). Coverage is provided through CUNA Mutual Group and includes life insurance, disability insurance, and accidental dismemberment insurance.
KEMBA's Member Services (Death Claims) can be reached by phone at 1-800-282-6420 and fax at 1-614-324-8360 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple KEMBA accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Member Services (Death Claims) can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Member Services
Phone1-614-235-2395
Toll-Free1-800-282-6420
Emailservice@kemba.org
Fax1-614-324-8360
Mailing Address
PO Box 307370, Gahanna, OH 43230
WebsiteLearn more →
Member Services
Phone1-614-235-2395
Toll-Free1-800-282-6420
Emailservice@kemba.org
Fax1-614-324-8360
Mailing Address
PO Box 307370, Gahanna, OH 43230
WebsiteLearn more →
Member Services (Death Claims)
Phone1-614-235-2395
Toll-Free1-800-282-6420
Fax1-614-324-8360
Mailing Address
KEMBA Financial Credit Union, PO Box 307370, Gahanna, OH 43230
Verified Mar 2026
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