Gacats - your generalizations will not earn you many friends -I'm sorry that you've had a poor experience, but our bank we training all employees that in the death of a box renter, we need the death certificate and/or writ from probate court asking that we search for a will - The only items we will allow to be removed are:
Cemetery/plot deed
Will
Insurance Policies

Again, only upon court order. I'm sorry the banks that you dealt with do not fulfil their fiduciary responsibility, but I'm sure you would get your dander up if I painted everyone in your profession with a black brush - Play nice!
Talk to your state regulators - voice your complaint with the presidents of the banks - sue the executors. You do still have options - request the banks involved bear some of the expense of your legal costs.

For the record, the term is "safe deposit," not "safety deposit." It comes from the practice -- in some cases, current practice -- of placing these rental spaces in the bank's safe, or vault.

Amen, John... re: "safety" vs. "safe" deposit box. This is one of my pet peeves. I am trying to learn not to let such little annoyances bother me, but am not always successful. This one ranks right up there on my list with "Reel-uh-ter" for realtor and "nuke-yuh-ler" for nuclear (ala George W).