WHAT TO DO WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES
When a loved one dies, you may face the overwhelming responsibility of closing out the person's life. There are many things to attend to, from providing a proper tribute to closing bank accounts to canceling a gym membership. And many of the tasks require attention to detail — adding stress to what is already a pretty emotional time. We've prepared this check list to help you through the process.
Contact a CMS Service Provider (Funeral Home)
The first step in the process is to telephone one of our contracted funeral homes. It is important to ensure the funeral home is aware the deceased is a CMS member in order to receive the help you need, a discounted plan and perhaps other services. Our service provider will assist you in making all necessary arrangements such as, registering the death, obtaining a burial permit and facilitating the funeral arrangements with you according to the wishes of the CCMS member. The funeral home will also arrange to obtain the Medical Certificate of Death from the Physician or Medical Examiner. Once these two documents have been submitted to Vital Statistics, you may order a Death Certificate, a certified copy of the Registration of Death or the Medical Certificate of Death through a Registry Agent if you are eligible.
Check to see if the deceased left a CMS Guidance Form to help you in your decision-making. The member may also have entered their guidance information into our online database which can be accessed by our service provider.
Check to see if the deceased left a CMS Guidance Form to help you in your decision-making. The member may also have entered their guidance information into our online database which can be accessed by our service provider.
ARRANGE FOR Body and/or ORGAN DONATION
It may be the last detail you want to think about, but arrangements need to be made almost immediately at death so the organs can be harvested as promptly as possible or arrangements made for anatomical gifting.
Not certain about the person's wishes? Sources to check: the driver's license, Alberta Health Care card, Legionnaire's membership card or an advance health care directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. Instructions may have been left with the Will or on the CCMS Guidance Form. The Executor and certain family members can request the donation. There is no cost to be a donor.
If the answer is "yes," the hospital where the person died will have a coordinator to guide you through the process. If your loved one died outside of a hospital — that includes in hospice or a extended care home — contact the nearest hospital. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about what's next.
More information on anatomical gifting.
More information on organ donation.
Not certain about the person's wishes? Sources to check: the driver's license, Alberta Health Care card, Legionnaire's membership card or an advance health care directive, such as a living will or health care proxy. Instructions may have been left with the Will or on the CCMS Guidance Form. The Executor and certain family members can request the donation. There is no cost to be a donor.
If the answer is "yes," the hospital where the person died will have a coordinator to guide you through the process. If your loved one died outside of a hospital — that includes in hospice or a extended care home — contact the nearest hospital. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about what's next.
More information on anatomical gifting.
More information on organ donation.
CONTACT IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Of course you want to update key family members. Bringing them together in person, by phone or electronically (via mass email, Skype or Facebook Family page), is an opportunity not only to comfort one another but also to share information about important decisions that must be made — some of them immediately. Check to see if the deceased left a CMS Guidance Form to help you in family decision-making. This information may also be entered into our online database which can be accessed by our service providers.
Secure Property
Lock up the person's home and vehicle. Is the car parked in a secure and legal area? Will the home be vacant? If so, you may want to notify the police (dial a non-emergency number), landlord or property manager. Have someone care for pets until a permanent arrangement is made. Calgary Police Non-Emergency Number: 403-266-1234
LOCATE WILL AND FOLLOW BODY BEQUEATHAL INSTRUCTIONS
You will need to locate a copy of the will. This should be kept in a safe/accessible location. If the person made arrangements to donate his or her body to a medical school, the family must respect those wishes. An advance directive, living will or health proxy may guide you to a particular institution. If the person hasn't made arrangements, the next of kin can donate the body, but the decision needs to be made as early as possible. Consult with our service provider for assistance.
NOTIFY CANADA POST
Use the forward mail option. This will prevent accumulating mail from attracting attention. It can also inform you about subscriptions, creditors and other accounts that need to be canceled. The mail that comes in will be very valuable in tracking down what you may not have thought of. Canada Post Customer Service 1-800-267-1177 or Canada Post Mail Forwarding.
CONSIDER FUNERAL PREPARATIONS
Whenever possible, bring someone with you when making funeral arrangements to act as your advocate or support. Our funeral directors will explain the CCMS funeral plans and additional options to people who are making the arrangements. This may feel overwhelming. If you do not want to receive what might feel like a sales pitch, be very clear about your wishes to stick to a particular CCMS plan from the beginning, and let the funeral director know if you don’t want to hear all the options. Review Plans for CCMS Members.
The cost of placing an obituary is in addition to the CCMS plan and can be very expensive depending on the newspaper(s) selected. The funeral home can help you write the obituary for a small fee so be sure to bring any pictures and details when you go to the funeral home to make arrangements. The funeral home will register the death and produce the death certificate. How many copies you will need depends on the complexity of the estate and the number of institutions you will need to provide a copy to.
Our funeral homes also offer ‘after care’ services for a fee. This involves a funeral director meeting with the family to discuss death benefits such as Canada Pension Plan, Veterans’ benefits, etc. as well as information on how to discontinue a driver’s licence, work with the bank, deal with income taxes, etc. There is an extra cost attached to this service, but for some people it may be very useful. For others, it might be enough to use this checklist.
The cost of placing an obituary is in addition to the CCMS plan and can be very expensive depending on the newspaper(s) selected. The funeral home can help you write the obituary for a small fee so be sure to bring any pictures and details when you go to the funeral home to make arrangements. The funeral home will register the death and produce the death certificate. How many copies you will need depends on the complexity of the estate and the number of institutions you will need to provide a copy to.
Our funeral homes also offer ‘after care’ services for a fee. This involves a funeral director meeting with the family to discuss death benefits such as Canada Pension Plan, Veterans’ benefits, etc. as well as information on how to discontinue a driver’s licence, work with the bank, deal with income taxes, etc. There is an extra cost attached to this service, but for some people it may be very useful. For others, it might be enough to use this checklist.
NOTIFY CLOSE FRIENDS AND EXTENDED FAMILY
Make a list of as many people as you can. Find contacts through email accounts and personal telephone books. Contact an employer and organizations the deceased belonged to, if necessary.
Letting friends and acquaintances know about a death via social media. As more and more people share information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media outlets, the concept of oversharing - even privacy itself, are disappearing. Members of younger generations are far more likely to text, tweet or post than they are to pick up the phone or even send an email. As this generation and their children ages, sharing intensely personal information, up to and including death announcements, is quickly becoming the norm.
Facebook recently rolled out an update clarifying the status of legacy accounts. For the last several years, they have allowed profiles of the deceased to be memorialized. Memorialized accounts are a place for friends and family to gather and share memories after a person has passed away. Now there are additional options regarding what happens to a person's account data and public profile after they pass away. One new option allows the facebook account to be totally deleted upon notification of death. Another option for the Facebook Account holder is to designate a Facebook friend as a “legacy contact.” This person will have the ability to create a beautiful memorial post, and to pin it indefinitely to the top of the timeline. The legacy contact will not be allowed create posts on the deceased's behalf and they will not have access to private messages. They will have access to photos and are allowed to download the archive.
Should you post? That is a question that close friends and family should answer based on the actions and preferences of the member.
Letting friends and acquaintances know about a death via social media. As more and more people share information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media outlets, the concept of oversharing - even privacy itself, are disappearing. Members of younger generations are far more likely to text, tweet or post than they are to pick up the phone or even send an email. As this generation and their children ages, sharing intensely personal information, up to and including death announcements, is quickly becoming the norm.
Facebook recently rolled out an update clarifying the status of legacy accounts. For the last several years, they have allowed profiles of the deceased to be memorialized. Memorialized accounts are a place for friends and family to gather and share memories after a person has passed away. Now there are additional options regarding what happens to a person's account data and public profile after they pass away. One new option allows the facebook account to be totally deleted upon notification of death. Another option for the Facebook Account holder is to designate a Facebook friend as a “legacy contact.” This person will have the ability to create a beautiful memorial post, and to pin it indefinitely to the top of the timeline. The legacy contact will not be allowed create posts on the deceased's behalf and they will not have access to private messages. They will have access to photos and are allowed to download the archive.
Should you post? That is a question that close friends and family should answer based on the actions and preferences of the member.
PLAN THE FUNERAL OR MEMORIAL SERVICE
For most people, after a death has occurred, it is important that family and friends have opportunities to come together to grieve. Funeral and memorial services or other public gatherings are ways for this to happen. They also allow the wider community to support family members and recognize the loss. How or where people gather is not as important as the fact that they are able to come together.
A prearranged funeral can save money and stress. This is why many CCMS members signed up in the first place. Look for their CCMS Guidance Form with the will. A copy may have been left with next-of-kin. Our service providers can also access any instructions left in our registry or they will have access to a prepaid plan left by the member.
If the member did not leave further guidance, it is important to consider family wishes, religious and cultural beliefs, finances, and certain basic information and options. For example:
A prearranged funeral can save money and stress. This is why many CCMS members signed up in the first place. Look for their CCMS Guidance Form with the will. A copy may have been left with next-of-kin. Our service providers can also access any instructions left in our registry or they will have access to a prepaid plan left by the member.
If the member did not leave further guidance, it is important to consider family wishes, religious and cultural beliefs, finances, and certain basic information and options. For example:
- Do you want cremation or burial? When a body is cremated, the remains are burned to ash (sometimes called "cremains" or "cremated remains") and may be buried in the earth, interred in a columbarium niche, kept by the family in an urn, or scattered. Cremation is generally much less expensive than burial.
- Our cremation plans include a basic cremation tray. If you choose to bury or store the the ashes in a cemetery columbarium, you will need to purchase a special urn for that purpose. If you prefer to scatter the ashes, you can accept the ashes in the container provided or provide your own.
- If you choose burial, you will need to select a cemetery and purchase a plot for a casket, urn or both. Our service provider can help you with this if you want help. Prices vary depending on type of plot and cemetery selected. Private cemeteries are more expensive than municipal cemeteries. Private and public cemeteries are all subject to the same legislation governing perpetuity. Funeral Services Act (PDF)
- Arrange for headstone. You can typically purchase a headstone through the cemetery or from an outside vendor of your choice. Consult the cemetery about rules, regulations and specifications such as color and size, particularly if you go with an outside vendor.
- Still not sure what to do? Consult with our service provider and your family to help select the best option within your budget. There is no additional cost for consultation.
- Do you want a funeral or memorial service? At a funeral, the body is present in either an open or closed casket; at a memorial service, it is not. Either service can be religious or not; it can be held in a church, the funeral facility, private home or any other place of choice. The kind of service does not dictate whether burial or cremation is chosen, nor does the choice of burial or cremation determine the kind of service held.
- Enlist help for the funeral or memorial service. Relatives and friends may be needed to serve as pallbearers, to create or design the funeral program, prepare a slide show, cook meals (for a repast gathering or simply for the household of the deceased), take care of children or pets, or shop for any items needed for the funeral or household of the deceased.
- Organize a post-funeral gathering. Depending on your tradition, it's called a repast or a wake. It can be held at the church, a banquet hall or someone's house. Enlist the help of friends and relatives to plan.
- Spread the word about the service. Once a date and time have been set for the service, share the details with those on your contact list. Include an address to send cards, flowers or donations.
- Make a list of well-wishers. Keep track of who sends cards, flowers and donations so that you can acknowledge them later.
- Prepare an obituary. The funeral home can provide the service for a fee or you might want to write an obituary yourself. If you want to publish it in a newspaper, check on rates, deadlines and submission guidelines. The funeral home can also do this for a fee. TIP: Don't include such details as exact date of birth in the obituary to prevent identify theft. Quick link to Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun,
Register Death and Obtain copy of Death Certificate
All Alberta deaths must be registered with the Government of Alberta. The Registration of Death is a document that becomes a permanent legal record of the death event. It is important that the information is completed fully and accurately. It is the responsibility of the spouse, next-of-kin or person who has full knowledge of the facts surrounding the person who has passed away to complete a Registration of Death Form. The reverse side of the CCMS Guidance Form, allows for the collection of this vital statistics information. As another option, the member may have added it to their CCMS online registry. This can be accessed by the service provider. Our funeral provider will help you complete this form and provide you with 2 copies at no additional cost above the price of the plan. After a death is registered, you may order a Death Certificate.
The Death Certificate is a legal document produced from information on the Registration of Death. (Alberta Services) Vital Statistics uses the information on the Registration of Death Form to create an official Certificate of Death. Many organizations will require this document before decisions can be made on behalf of the deceased. Until you obtain the Certificate of Death, your funeral director will issue a Statement of Death that you can use.
There is a $20 government fee for ordering death documents, as well as registry agent or Registry Connect service fees. Fees vary among registry agents. Documents are usually mailed to you 2-3 days after a registry agent or registry connect processes the application. If information is missing or there are any discrepancies in information, an application may be delayed. Documents are sent to you by regular mail. For special arrangements or rush service options, speak with a registry agent or Registry Connect.
Ordering a death document within Alberta
1. Complete the form Application for Death Documents (PDF, 3 pages) Applications are also available at registry agent offices.
2. Take the completed application to a registry agent, along with an accepted form of ID. Find a registry agent. Accepted forms of ID.
Ordering a death document from outside Alberta
The Death Certificate is a legal document produced from information on the Registration of Death. (Alberta Services) Vital Statistics uses the information on the Registration of Death Form to create an official Certificate of Death. Many organizations will require this document before decisions can be made on behalf of the deceased. Until you obtain the Certificate of Death, your funeral director will issue a Statement of Death that you can use.
There is a $20 government fee for ordering death documents, as well as registry agent or Registry Connect service fees. Fees vary among registry agents. Documents are usually mailed to you 2-3 days after a registry agent or registry connect processes the application. If information is missing or there are any discrepancies in information, an application may be delayed. Documents are sent to you by regular mail. For special arrangements or rush service options, speak with a registry agent or Registry Connect.
Ordering a death document within Alberta
1. Complete the form Application for Death Documents (PDF, 3 pages) Applications are also available at registry agent offices.
2. Take the completed application to a registry agent, along with an accepted form of ID. Find a registry agent. Accepted forms of ID.
Ordering a death document from outside Alberta
Notify Federal Government
Notify Service Canada (Income Security Programs) 1-800-277-9914
Notify Canada Revenue Agency 1-800-959-8281
- Old Age Security and Canada Pension: Cancel cheques. Social insurance number is required. The estate is entitled to a cheque in the month of death.
- Lump Sum Death Benefit: Paid to the estate of contributors to Canada Pension. Application form available from funeral home.
- Survivor Benefit: Amount depends on what the deceased paid into Canada Pension. Application form available from funeral home.
- Allowance: For widows/widowers between the ages of 60-65, depending on income.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement: For widows/widowers over 65, depending on income.
Notify Canada Revenue Agency 1-800-959-8281
- For GST rebate and information on submitting final tax return.
- Information on obtaining a Clearance Certificate after final tax has been accepted. A clearance certificate certifies that all amounts for which the deceased is liable to the Federal Government have been paid, or accepted security for the payment. If you do not get a clearance certificate, you can be liable for any amount the deceased owes.
Notify Provincial Government
Notify Alberta Seniors 1-877-644-9992
- Seniors Financial Assistance Program: Paid to low-income individuals over 65. Notify with deceased's personal health number.
- Special Needs Assistance: Help with funeral expenses may be available for surviving senior spouses who are eligible for Alberta Seniors Benefit.
- Alberta Health Care should notify Alberta Blue Cross. If not, call 403-234-9666.
- To transfer the title on Alberta real estate.
- May need to consult this office if the deceased died without a will.
Other Notifications
Make a list of important bills (mortgage payments). Share the list with the executor or estate administrator so that bills can be paid promptly.
Contact financial advisers, stockbrokers, etc. Determine the beneficiary listed on these accounts. Depending on the type of asset, the beneficiary may get access to the account or benefit by simply filling out appropriate forms and providing a copy of the death certificate. If that's the case, the executor wouldn't need to be involved. If there are complications, the executor could be called upon to help out.
Notify mortgage companies and banks. It helps if your loved one left a list of accounts, including online passwords. Otherwise, take a death certificate to the bank for assistance. Change ownership of joint bank accounts. Did the deceased have a safe deposit box? If a password or key isn't available, the executor would most likely need a court order to open and inventory the safe deposit box. Most probate courts have administrative rules about steps to access the box of any decedent.
Close credit card accounts. For each account, call the customer service phone number on the credit card, monthly statement or issuer's website. Let the agent know that you would like to close the account of a deceased relative. Upon request, submit a copy of the death certificate by fax or email. If that's not possible, send the document by registered mail with return receipt requested. Once the company receives the certificate, it will close the account as of the date of death. If an agent doesn't offer to waive interest or fees after that date, be sure to ask. Keep records of the accounts you close and notify the executor of the estate about outstanding debts.
Notify credit reporting agencies. To minimize the chance of identity theft, provide copies of the death certificate to the two major firms — Equifax Canada (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion Canada (1-800-663-9980) — as soon as possible so the account is flagged. Four to six weeks later, check the deceased's credit history to ensure no fraudulent accounts have been opened.
Cancel driver's license and vehicle registration. Clearing the driver's license record will remove the deceased's name from the records of the government and help prevent identity theft. Contact registry agent for exact instructions. You may have to visit a customer-service center or mail documentation. Either way, you'll need a copy of the death certificate.
Cancel email and website accounts. It's a good idea to close social media and other online accounts to avoid fraud or identity theft. The procedures for each website will vary. For instance, Google Mail (Gmail) will ask you to provide a death certificate, a photocopy of your driver's license and other detailed information.
Cancel memberships in organizations. Reach out to sororities, fraternities, professional organizations, etc., the deceased belonged to and find out how to handle his/her membership status. Greek organizations may want to hold a special ceremony for your loved one.
Contact financial advisers, stockbrokers, etc. Determine the beneficiary listed on these accounts. Depending on the type of asset, the beneficiary may get access to the account or benefit by simply filling out appropriate forms and providing a copy of the death certificate. If that's the case, the executor wouldn't need to be involved. If there are complications, the executor could be called upon to help out.
Notify mortgage companies and banks. It helps if your loved one left a list of accounts, including online passwords. Otherwise, take a death certificate to the bank for assistance. Change ownership of joint bank accounts. Did the deceased have a safe deposit box? If a password or key isn't available, the executor would most likely need a court order to open and inventory the safe deposit box. Most probate courts have administrative rules about steps to access the box of any decedent.
Close credit card accounts. For each account, call the customer service phone number on the credit card, monthly statement or issuer's website. Let the agent know that you would like to close the account of a deceased relative. Upon request, submit a copy of the death certificate by fax or email. If that's not possible, send the document by registered mail with return receipt requested. Once the company receives the certificate, it will close the account as of the date of death. If an agent doesn't offer to waive interest or fees after that date, be sure to ask. Keep records of the accounts you close and notify the executor of the estate about outstanding debts.
Notify credit reporting agencies. To minimize the chance of identity theft, provide copies of the death certificate to the two major firms — Equifax Canada (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion Canada (1-800-663-9980) — as soon as possible so the account is flagged. Four to six weeks later, check the deceased's credit history to ensure no fraudulent accounts have been opened.
Cancel driver's license and vehicle registration. Clearing the driver's license record will remove the deceased's name from the records of the government and help prevent identity theft. Contact registry agent for exact instructions. You may have to visit a customer-service center or mail documentation. Either way, you'll need a copy of the death certificate.
Cancel email and website accounts. It's a good idea to close social media and other online accounts to avoid fraud or identity theft. The procedures for each website will vary. For instance, Google Mail (Gmail) will ask you to provide a death certificate, a photocopy of your driver's license and other detailed information.
Cancel memberships in organizations. Reach out to sororities, fraternities, professional organizations, etc., the deceased belonged to and find out how to handle his/her membership status. Greek organizations may want to hold a special ceremony for your loved one.
Don't be afraid to seek support
Support/Counselling: Grief counselling is available from Alberta Health Services, Grief Support at 403-943-3533.
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