A nice suggestions though but most at times the ATM card get expired and how would they managed to renew their cards without the original owner to signed their signature on the card renewal form otherwise the family members can't be able to access the account as well. Cheque book is something very difficult for family members to use and make withdrawal from the owners account.
If it's a checking account that is left by a dead loved one, I guess you don't have a choice but to go through the process. As for an ATM account, expiration is probably not much of a problem. ATM cards usually expire after several years. It's an unfortunate coincidence though if the expiration happens around the time of death.
I don't think forgery is a good option. Signing on behalf of a dead parent is probably illegal in all jurisdictions. Especially involving a financial document, I'd rather go through an inconvenient process than risk getting entangled in a legal problem.
This is not possible in the country I live in. At least it can be done for a short time, but then it's not valid. Because there is a system used by the state and it works in an integrated way with all systems. For example, when a person dies, it is not valid when you try to use that person's card at an ATM. The system knows that person is dead. We need to know the legal processes required to avoid dealing with such situations.
We need to stay away from actions aimed at deceiving others. Otherwise, you may face big fines.
You can take the forms as in the subject. Or, through a lawyer, you can inherit the information containing all your accounts to your family to be given after your death. There are many options.