What Do I Do
When Someone Dies: A Guide
When the death occurs in the hospital it is not necessary to contact the funeral home immediately. The hospital procedure is for the body to go to the morgue while the administrative paperwork is completed. The funeral home can be called the next day during business hours.
When the death occurs in a Hospice, Nursing Home or Care Facility the funeral home should be called fairly soon thereafter. These places do not have a morgue facility to shelter the body.
If the death occurs at home and a “Notification of Expected Death in the Home” form is in place, the funeral home can be called whenever the family is ready to have the body transported to the funeral home.
If the death occurs at home, and there is no “Notification of Expected Death in the Home” form that has been signed by the attending health professional, call 911.
Gathering Details for the Funeral Arrangement Conference:
You will usually require the following information for the completion of a death certificate and for various other legal matters such as: life insurance policies, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, drivers license, real estate transactions, pensions, health insurance, retirement plans, Federal / Provincial income taxes, Probate Court and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. During the arrangement conference with our staff, it will be helpful for you to have these details about the deceased:
- Full legal name of the deceased
- Date of birth
- Legal residence
- Name of spouse (maiden name of wife)
- Occupation (prior to retirement)
- Social Insurance Number
- Place of birth (City, Province or State of birth)
- Father’s first name
- Mother’s first name and Maiden name
Other information to bring with you when making arrangements with the funeral director:
- Birth Certificate of the deceased
- Social Insurance Card
- List of Surviving Relatives and cities of residence
- Recent Photograph or Photographs of the deceased
- Insurance Papers (if used to pay for the funeral)
- Prearranged Funeral Data (if any)
Miscellaneous:
Clothing
A full complement of clothing is required, including under garments and outer garments of your choice. Shoes are not needed. For women an outfit with a closed neckline and long sleeves is desirable. For men, a suit, sport coat or customary outerwear is appropriate.
Other Personal Items
Jewellery, eye glasses and religious items (if any) should be brought to the arrangement conference, or prior to the service. On the day of the service it is customary to confirm which items you wish to be left in the casket and which are to be returned to you.
Cremation
It is customary for any personal items such as Jewellery, pictures and other memorabilia to be removed prior to the cremation, as they will be destroyed during the cremation process. Instead, these items may be placed in the selected urn or be returned to you.
Arrangement Appointment Time
Please call us to schedule a time, convenient to you, to make the final arrangements. Although most arrangements are conducted during normal business hours, we are available by appointment on weekends.
Week 1:
- Locate the Will of the deceased
- Contact executor, lawyer, trust officer, or other legal advisor
- Make final arrangements
- Contact Clergy/Celebrant
- Contact other family, friends or co-workers
- Receive original Death Certificate from your director
- Make appointment with After Care Specialist who will provide valuable information and a checklist that can be used for estate purposes
- Apply for a Will search (Vital Statistics) if necessary
Weeks 1-4:
- Probate Will of the deceased
- Locate Bank Accounts and Investments
- Check Safety Deposit Box
- Obtain unpaid wages and / or other benefits from employer (if any)
- Cancel Credit Cards (that are not joint with spouse)
- Cancel Driver’s License
- Death notification Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
- Death notification to cancel benefits and apply for Survivor Benefits (CPP/OAP)
- Death notification to Health Care Agency
- Death notification to Blue Cross and / or Extended Health Benefits
- Death notification and cancellation of Superannuation (Federal / Provincial) and apply for death benefits
- Death notification Passport Canada
- Veterans Affairs Canada – Death notification to cancel benefits and apply for death benefits
You may also find it helpful to view other pages of our website. Learn more about the various service options and products available to you.
If you have questions or concerns not answered here ask the director.
