What to Do When Someone Dies

The first couple of days after losing a loved one can feel incredibly overwhelming, but you don't have to figure everything out at once. Start small, and take one step at a time. 

If at any point you feel stuck or overwhelmed, take a breath, pause, and come back to it later. Grief isn’t linear, and neither is this process.

Your Grief Toolbox

Everyone grieves differently. If you need extra support, here are some trusted resources to help:

• MyGrief.ca: Free, online tools for adults coping with grief
• KidsGrief.ca: Resources for supporting grieving children and teens
• Canadian Virtual Hospice: Guidance on grief, loss, and caregiving
• Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association: A collection of national grief resources
• A downloadable checklist of the steps in this article:

What to Do in the First 24–48 Hours

1. Get a Legal Pronouncement of Death

This is a necessary first step to begin funeral or estate processes, but it doesn’t need to be difficult.

• If your loved one passed away in a hospital or care home: Staff will handle this for you
• If the death occurred at home: Call 911 or your local non-emergency number

You'll receive:

• A Statement of Death from the funeral home
• A Death Certificate can be ordered later for official needs, like closing accounts and claiming insurance

Tip: It’s a good idea to keep a few certified copies of the Death Certificate; they’ll be required for banks, insurers, and government agencies.

Which one do I need, a death certificate or a statement of death?

In most cases, a statement of death is enough to notify the federal government and settle everyday matters. It’s usually faster to get and can help you move things forward a little more quickly.

Still, there may be situations where you’ll need a death certificate, so it’s a good idea to have both if possible.

How to get a death certificate in Canada

Death certificates are issued by the provincial or territorial government where your loved one passed away:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

How to get a statement of death in Canada

Funeral homes usually provide the statement of death, so you can reach out to the one managing your loved one’s arrangements to request it.

Which offices and agencies do you need to submit files to?

It depends on your loved one’s situation. The Government of Canada has a step-by-step checklist of departments and agencies to notify, a helpful place to start when you’re not sure who to contact.

2. Contact a Funeral Home or Transfer Service

If your loved one had prepaid funeral plans or outlined wishes in their will, those can help guide your next steps. 

If no plans were in place, your next step may be to contact a funeral home or transfer service to make arrangements. They can help walk you through some early decisions such as burial or cremation, service options, timing, and paperwork.

• Ask about your options, especially if there are religious or cultural considerations
• You don’t have to plan everything right away. A memorial can take place later, when the time feels right

When speaking with a provider, you may want to ask about:

• Service options, including burial, cremation, or memorials
• Costs and packages
• Support with paperwork and official documents

Tip: Funeral homes often help with tasks like registering the death and obtaining the death certificate. Don’t hesitate to ask them to guide you through the process. 

Who is responsible for organizing the service?

The executor should take responsibility for organizing and facilitating the funeral and burial arrangements based on the final wishes of the deceased’s will.

If there is no appointed executor, this would be the responsibility of the estate administrator or public trustee.

If there is no will, then it falls to the spouse, partner, or next of kin to organize.

How much does a funeral cost?

In Canada, a funeral can cost between $1,000 to $20,000. The range is very broad because of factors like seasonality, types of caskets, types of receptions, as well as additional services.

Tip: Funeral and burial expenses don’t necessarily need to be paid out of the estate. You can also finance them with funeral insurance or a Canada Pension Plan death benefit. These can help cover expenses if the person who passed away had no funds or assets.

3. Notify Immediate Family and Close Friends

Let people know when it feels right. There's no need to contact everyone at once, and it’s okay to take your time.

• You might find it helpful to write a short message to share by group text, email, or social media
• Keep it simple and kind. Just focus on the essentials for now

Tip: If it feels like too much, ask a family member to help manage calls or messages on your behalf.

4. Locate the Will and Final Wishes

Try to locate any documents that outline final wishes, such as a will or prepaid funeral arrangements. These might be stored in:

• Filing cabinets or safes
• Safety deposit boxes
• Will registries like the Willful Will Registry
• In British Columbia, will can be stored digitally
• If your loved one made their will with a lawyer, that lawyer may also have a copy of the will

If you're not the executor, connect with that person to review the next steps together.

5. Secure the Deceased's Home and Pets

If your loved one lived alone, you may need to secure their home and care for any pets right away. That could mean locking doors, gathering valuables, or making arrangements for animals.

When you're ready, you can also collect clothing or personal items for the funeral or memorial. You might want to take note of anything that needs more urgent attention, like:

• Uncollected mail
• Property maintenance needs, like heating or snow clearing
• Perishable food in the fridge or kitchen

Tip: Taking photos of valuables and the home's general condition can help down the road. You don’t need to clean or pack anything yet, just make sure things are safe and stable for now.

6. Gather Important Documents

Over time, you’ll need to collect certain documents related to your loved one’s estate. You don’t need to find everything right away; start with what’s easily accessible.

• Government-issued IDs
• SIN number
• Insurance policies
• Bank and investment statements
• Property deeds
• Credit card and loan statements
• Utility bills

As you come across them, start a checklist of accounts and subscriptions to cancel later.

Tip: Use a folder or envelope to store everything in one place. You may need many of these documents more than once throughout the process.

What Comes After the First 48 Hours

The first few days after a loss can feel heavy, disorienting, and emotionally overwhelming. There’s no right way to move through it.

As things start to settle, you might begin to think about what comes next.

In most cases, the person named as executor in your loved one’s will takes the lead from here. If that’s you, our Executor Resource Hub is here to help and is filled with step-by-step guides and supportive tools to walk you through each part.

If you’re not the executor, it can still be helpful to understand what happens during this stage. It may unfold over weeks or months, depending on the situation, and that’s completely okay. There’s no set pace. Take things one step at a time, when you're ready.

1. Settle the Estate

If you’re the executor or estate administrator, you may need to apply for probate, which is the legal process that confirms the will is valid and gives you the authority to manage the estate.

If probate is needed, you’ll need to start gathering a few key documents, such as:

• The original will
• The Death Certificate
• A list of assets, debts, and liabilities

It’s normal for this part to feel a bit daunting. Take it step by step, and don’t hesitate to ask for professional support if you need it.

Learn more about probate

2. Notify Government Agencies and Institutions

Several government offices and agencies must be notified of the death to prevent issues like overpayments or identity fraud. These include:

• Service Canada
• The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Provincial health card offices
• Pension and benefits providers

It might be helpful to keep a checklist of who you’ve contacted to keep things organized.

3. Cancel Accounts and Services

At some point, you’ll need to make a list of the accounts, services and memberships your loved one used.  Some common examples include:

• Banks and credit card providers
• Utility companies
• Streaming services, gym memberships, and magazines
• Loyalty programs and rewards memberships

Tip: Keep track of every cancellation in a notebook or document. This can help avoid repeat charges and save you time later on.

4. Handle Taxes and Financial Affairs

You’ll need to file a final tax return for the person who has passed. This is their last personal income tax return. In some cases, there may be additional filings:

• Optional Returns for specific types of income
• Estate returns if the estate earns income during the process

If taxes or finances feel overwhelming, you can consult an accountant or tax professional for help.

More on estate taxes

5. Distribute Assets

Once the executor settles debts, taxes, and liabilities, they will distribute the remaining assets according to the will. If there’s no will, provincial laws dictate how the estate is divided.

This can be an emotional step. It’s okay to take your time and honour your loved one’s memory in the process.

6. Financial Tips for Managing an Estate

Handling someone’s estate can feel like a big responsibility—especially when it comes to finances. These tips can help you stay organized and confident as you work through it:  

• Keep detailed records: Write down every transaction, payment, and decision you make as executor
• Open an estate bank account: This keeps estate funds separate and makes accounting easier
• Consult professionals: Estate lawyers, accountants, or financial advisors can offer guidance
• Notify credit bureaus: Contact Equifax and TransUnion to help prevent identity theft
• Review insurance policies: There may be life insurance benefits or policy payouts to claim

Final Thoughts

The first 48 hours after a loss are heavy, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Prioritize what’s urgent, lean on others, and give yourself permission to pause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my loved one didn’t have a will? 

Without a will, the provincial government will decide how the estate is distributed based on succession laws. This usually prioritizes spouses, children, and other close relatives. A family member can apply to be the estate administrator.

Learn more about dying without a will

How long do I have to settle an estate if I’m the executor? 

There’s no official deadline, but most estates are settled within 6–12 months. More complex estates may take longer, especially if there are disputes or complicated assets.

Do I need a lawyer to settle the estate? 

Not always. Most simple estates can be settled without legal help, but you may want to consult a lawyer for complicated estates or when disputes arise.

Where can I find more guidance on being an executor? 

Our Executor Resource Hub includes step-by-step guides, checklists, and tools to support you.