What to do after a death (Canada): a practical step-by-step guide

• At home (expected death): call the person’s family doctor, home-care nurse, or hospice/palliative care team. They advise the next steps and arrange the medical documentation.
• At home (unexpected, sudden, or unclear): call 911. Police/paramedics may attend, and it may be referred to a coroner/medical examiner.
• In hospital: the care team or bereavement services guide you, including belongings and what paperwork happens next.
• In long-term care: staff follow protocol and explain next steps; you can begin choosing a funeral home.

In Canada, a clinician completes the medical documentation when the cause of death is known and the death is not suspicious (often referred to as a Medical Certificate of Death, though naming can vary by jurisdiction). If the death is sudden, unexpected, accidental,violent, or otherwise requires investigation, it may be referred to a coroner or medical examiner (process varies by province/territory).

• If there’s an investigation, timelines can change and some steps must wait (for example, release of the body or certain documents).
• Ask your assigned contact: “What can we do now, and what must wait?”
• If using a funeral home, they usually coordinate with the hospital/coroner and guide paperwork.

Most families use a funeral home to help with transportation, paperwork, and coordinating burial or cremation. You can also manage arrangements privately — but you’ll need to confirm requirements with provincial/territorial authorities and service providers.

• If you have cultural or religious time needs, say so early (it affects scheduling).
• If cost matters, ask for a written estimate with essentials vs optional items.
• If you feel pressured, use this phrase: “Please put that in writing. We will decide tomorrow.”

Death registration and death certificates are handled by your province or territory (often through Vital Statistics). Funeral homes typically submit the registration, but confirm who is doing what and what information you must provide.

• Ask: “When is registration submitted, and when can we order certificates?”
• Consider ordering multiple death certificates if you’ll deal with banks, insurers, investments, property, and government programs.
• Keep copies of forms and reference numbers for benefits and estate administration.

Common places to notify

• Service Canada (CPP-related benefits, OAS where relevant, SIN record updates, and related programs).
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (tax matters; estates often have filing obligations).
• Banks, credit cards, loans, mortgage provider, investments.
• Insurance (life, home, auto) and benefits plans.
• Employer (final pay, pensions, workplace benefits).
• Utilities, phone/internet, subscriptions, landlord/condo as needed.

• Choose burial or cremation.
• Decide on the ceremony format: religious, non-religious, or a blend.
• Ask for a clear quote and confirm what’s included vs third-party costs (cemetery fees, celebrant/clergy, notices, flowers, etc.).

• Locate the will (if any) and identify the executor/estate trustee.
• Secure the home/valuables; check insurance rules if the property will be vacant.
• Gather key documents: ID, banking/investment statements, insurance policies, property/vehicle documents, and any notes about digital accounts.
• If pets are involved, arrange short-term care quickly.

• Be cautious of unexpected calls/messages claiming to be CRA, “urgent estate lawyers,” or “government agents.” Don’t share personal information unless you initiated the contact using an official number.
• Watch for pressure tactics: “You must decide right now,” “This discount expires today,” or “Everyone chooses this upgrade.” You can always say: “We will decide tomorrow. Please email it.”
• Reduce identity theft risk: secure mail, consider forwarding, and keep IDs/documents in one place.