@Themushj that sounds "crazy". Have you discussed with your FA at Merril? Or have you called the 800 number and requested the call be escalated (they front line associate will do that without hesitation as it is part of their protocol).
Discuss with the supervisor. On the Bank side, they have an entire department called "estate" to handle matters after someone passes (close bank accounts, get cash to the beneficiary, etc.) I suspect they have similar on the Wealth Managment side. I can't believe the Bank doesn't do what you are requesting as a normal course of business on any publically traded holding.
