Death Care Plan Concept

Before Death

Legal & Financial

• Locate will (in safe deposit box, with lawyer, or home safe)
• Identify estate trustee/executor named in will
• Research death certificate application process (ontario.ca)
• List all accounts: bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, subscriptions
• Gather documents for CPP, OAS, pensions, and other benefits
• Register organ donation if desired (trilliumgiftoflife.on.ca)

Medical & Healthcare

• Ensure advance care directive / power of attorney for health is in place
• Discuss cremation wishes directly with parent if possible
• Organize OHIP card and health documents

Funeral Pre-Planning

• Consider pre-arranging cremation (shop around for itemized quotes)
• Research cremation providers; compare prices
• Consider green burial or eco-friendly options
• Put cremation/funeral wishes in writing (can be referenced in will)
• Designate a funeral agent (Ontario law allows this)

Executor Preparation

• Give executor access to keys, safe codes, important documents
• Create a contact list of people to notify after death
• Document digital asset access (phones, email, social media passwords)
• Write down preferences for memorial service, obituary, etc.

After Death

Immediate Actions (First 24-48 Hours)

If death is unexpected:

• Call 911 immediately
• Contact local coroner’s office if in rural area without emergency services

If death is expected (in home/hospice):

• Call the family doctor or attending physician
• Contact coroner’s office if circumstances are unclear

Next steps:

• Call funeral director or cremation provider to arrange body transport
• Notify the appointed executor/trustee, immediate contacts (marriage, family, work)
• Secure the home and collect important documents
• If person requested organ/tissue donation, coordinate

Death Registration & Permits

• Obtain Medical Certificate of Death (completed by doctor or coroner)
  • Statement of Death by funeral director and informant (usually family member)
  • Submit to municipal clerk office
  • Registration can be done by funeral director or family. Required before burial permit. Usually done by funeral directory and informant.
  • May be used to:
    • Settle estate
    • Access insurance benefits
    • Access/cancel government services
    • Research family tree
• Complete Statement of Death with funeral director (or municipal clerk if self-arranging)
• Register death at municipal clerk’s office in municipality where death occurred
• Get burial/cremation permit (required before disposition can occur)
• Apply for death certificate (needed for estate, insurance, government benefits)
  • Apply online in resources at Deathcare planning - Deathcare Planning

Government Notifications

• Provincial - cancel health card
• Provincial - cancel driver’s licence (request pro-rated refund if 6+ months remaining)
• Provincial - cancel other items like accessible parking permits
• Notify Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - need to file final tax return
• Notify Service Canada (CPP, OAS benefits, EI, Passport)
• Notify banks and financial institutions, loans
• Cancel credit cards and memberships
• Notify life insurance companies, eligible benefits (credit cards, other organizations)
• Canada Post - arrange mail redirect or hold
• Notify employer or former employer
• Notify landlord if applicable
• Cancel subscriptions and memberships

Estate Administration

• Locate the original will
• Apply for probate if required (Ontario Court - estates division)
• File final income tax return with CRA (executor responsibility)
• Contact Family Responsibility Office if deceased paid child/spousal support
• Distribute assets according to the will
• Close or transfer accounts

1. Will and Estates

   Contact and retain lawyer for support and obtain will with lawyer or local Ontario court and review will.

   Probate court to determine if will is legal. Once determined legal, it grants probate = approves a trustee to carry out the wishes of the deceased. Trustee is often named in the will. If you are named as the estate trustee (also called the “executor”), you are authorized to administer the estate of the deceased person. You are considered the deceased person’s personal representative, and will carry out their wishes as stated in the will.

   Get accountant to file tax returns.

   • Record decisions made, steps done, and financial transactions. Maintain account of assets, receipts, an disbursements during administration of estate. Locate estate assets and safety deposit box.
   • Notify beneficiaries
   • Pay debts and expenses
   • Obtain clearance certificate from CRA
   • Identify will details: estate, financial accounts

Funeral & Memorial Arrangements

• Confirm cremation arrangements with provider
  • Arrange funeral: See death plan, Funeral service provider for burial, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis
• Obtain cremation certificate
• Decide what to do with cremated remains (keep, scatter, inter)
• Plan memorial service or celebration of life
• Write obituary (optional - submit to newspapers, online)
• Notify important contacts
• Coordinate with religious/cultural leader if applicable

Emotional Support & Grief Resources

• Bereavement Authority of Ontario - grief information and support for death care
• Contact local hospices for grief counseling
• Reach out to family and community for support

Key Contacts and Resources

See Deathcare planning - Deathcare Planning for sites and resources.

Funeral Ideas

• Write a death letter from dead self to living self
• Hair for jewellery
• Natural burial - body + shroud, into hole
• Cremation (under $1,000 USD in 2020)
• Low $ options
• Direct cremation + inclusive (transportation, funeral director support, cremation, urn) $ (direct cremation ~ $700-1200s in 2020)