What to do when a KEMBA account holder dies
Contact KEMBA — 3-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 Apr 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
Follow these steps to file a death claim with KEMBA:
Filing a claim
1
Notify KEMBA of the member's death:
- Contact KEMBA Member Services at 614-235-2395 (option 4) or toll-free at 800-282-6420
- Or visit any KEMBA branch location
- KEMBA may continue to honor transactions until they receive notice of death
- After notice, checks may continue to be paid for up to 10 days unless instructed otherwise
2
Claim funds based on account type:
- For POD accounts: named beneficiary provides certified death certificate and government-issued photo ID to receive funds
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner retains full access; provide death certificate to update records
- For accounts without joint owners or POD designations: account passes to the deceased's estate
3
Complete estate administration if required:
- Executor or administrator provides Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to access estate funds
- Stop 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 and Disclosures (updated January 22, 2026), 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 TruStage AD&D and Life insurance claims, file online at myclaimportal.cunamutual.com (contract number 03413076) or myclaim.trustage.com. For GAP insurance claims, use the KEMBA insurance claims portal at kemba.org/resources/tools/insurance-claims-portal.
Expected 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. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by KEMBA includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant (unexpired), and Deceased member's Social Security number or account number, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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 Apr 2026
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