Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. This confidential survey helps identify key tasks and considerations relevant to your situation in Canada.
Important: Please do not enter highly sensitive financial details like bank account numbers or specific investment values. This tool helps you identify what to look for and who to contact.
In Canada, a physician or other authorized medical professional must legally pronounce the death and complete a Medical Certificate of Death. This document is required before a death can be registered with the provincial/territorial government and before a burial permit can be issued.
The funeral director you choose typically obtains the official Medical Certificate of Death as part of their services.
Each province and territory in Canada has a Coroner or Chief Medical Examiner service that investigates deaths that are sudden and unexpected, or occur due to non-natural causes (e.g., accident, suicide, homicide), or in other specific circumstances defined by law.
When this service is involved:If the death was unexpected or accidental, it's very likely the Coroner/Medical Examiner is involved. The police or the coroner's office will inform the next of kin.
A pre-paid funeral plan is a contract with a specific funeral home, paid for in advance. If one exists, you should contact that provider. The contract will outline exactly what services and merchandise have been paid for.
Consumer protection for funeral arrangements is managed provincially. Look for these documents with the Will and other important papers.
In Canada, consent for organ and tissue donation is managed at the provincial or territorial level, often through online registries or by signing the back of a health card or driver's license. Even with registered consent, healthcare providers will almost always seek consent from the family.
If the death is imminent and you know their wish was to donate, you must inform hospital staff immediately as time is critical for a successful donation.
Resource: Canadian Blood Services - Organ & Tissue Donation Information
Consider if there are specific customs or rituals required for the care of the deceased, the funeral service, or burial/cremation. This could include specific washing or dressing procedures, viewing requirements, timing of the service, or prohibitions against cremation or autopsy. Informing the funeral director of these needs is essential for a respectful service.
The Will is the primary legal document that names the "Executor" (also called an Estate Trustee or Liquidator in Quebec) who is responsible for managing the deceased's estate. The Will dictates how assets are to be distributed.
If there is no Will, the person has died "intestate." In this case, provincial or territorial succession laws determine how the estate is divided. Someone (usually the closest next-of-kin) must apply to the court to be appointed to manage the estate.
Resource: Canada.ca - What to do following a death
This legal document appoints someone to manage a person's financial affairs (banking, bills, property). A Power of Attorney automatically becomes void upon death. The Executor named in the Will then takes over financial authority. The POA document can still be useful for identifying financial accounts held by the deceased.
This document appoints someone to make medical and personal care decisions on a person's behalf if they become mentally incapable. The title of this document can vary by province (e.g., Personal Directive, Representation Agreement, Mandate in Case of Incapacity). Like a POA for Property, this document becomes void upon death.
Investment accounts like RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs often have a "named beneficiary" or "successor holder" (for TFSAs). These assets typically pass directly to that person outside of the Will and are not part of the main estate that goes through probate. It is critical to contact the financial institution to determine how each account is structured.
Resource: CRA - What happens to an RRSP at death
Life insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary on the policy. This money is typically tax-free and is not considered part of the estate, so it is not subject to probate fees (where applicable) or the claims of most estate creditors. If the "Estate" is named as the beneficiary, the money will become an estate asset.
This is a common way for spouses to own a home in Canada's common-law provinces. When one owner dies, the property automatically transfers to the surviving owner(s) by law. It "bypasses" the Will and is not included in the probate process. If property was owned as "tenants-in-common," the deceased's share becomes part of their estate and is distributed according to their Will. Note that Quebec's civil law system has different rules for co-ownership.
The estate is responsible for paying the deceased's legitimate debts (credit cards, loans, taxes) before any money or assets can be distributed to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are generally not personally responsible for the debts, unless the debt was co-signed. The executor must make a diligent search for all creditors.
Service Canada must be notified of the death to stop Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) payments. Any payments received after the month of death must be returned.
The estate may be eligible for a one-time CPP Death Benefit (up to $2,500). A surviving spouse or common-law partner may also be eligible for a monthly CPP Survivor's Pension.
If a safety deposit box exists, the bank will seal it upon notification of death. The executor will need to provide proof of their authority (usually the Will and a proof of death certificate) to gain access. Banks have specific procedures for opening the box to search for a Will if its location is unknown.
If the deceased was a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, they may be eligible for benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Last Post Fund.
It is crucial to notify VAC of the death to stop any pension overpayments and to inquire about the Death Benefit. The Last Post Fund provides financial assistance for funeral and burial services for eligible veterans.
Access to a primary email account is often the key to managing all other digital assets. It allows for password resets for social media, subscriptions, and other online accounts. If you have access, you can begin the process of closing accounts or memorializing them according to the deceased's wishes or the platform's policies.
If the deceased owned a business, the estate administration process becomes more complex. You will need to locate key business documents like shareholder or partnership agreements, which may dictate what happens to the business upon an owner's death.
Immediate steps often include notifying partners, securing business assets and bank accounts, and arranging for a business valuation for tax purposes. Answering "Yes" will add a special guidance section to your checklist.
Provincial/Territorial Social Assistance
If the deceased was receiving benefits from a provincial or territorial program (like disability or income support), the responsible government ministry must be notified immediately. This prevents overpayments, which the estate would be required to pay back. The caseworker can also provide information on any death or funeral benefits that may be available to the estate or surviving family members.