What To Do at Time of Death

When your loved one is dearly departed there will be a few things you are required to do legally as well as things required by the hospital or care facility where your family member is being held. The funeral provider will also need several pieces of information in order for them to carry out all of their duties and services including issuing a death certificate.

First, it is important that you be able to locate and secure (as many as appropriate) of the following documents:
O  Designation Form (MSBC Arrangement Form)
O  Cemetery Arrangement Form
O  Canadian/Foreign Passport
O  Birth, Marriage, Dissolution of Marriage Certificates
O  Citizenship Papers/Aboriginal Peoples´ Status
O  Estate Will and Living Will
O  Pre-Nuptial Agreement
O  Social Insurance Number and BC Health Card
O  Bank Records (deposit book and several months´ statements)
O  Credit Cards, Loan Record
O  Life, Mortgage, Auto and Property Insurance Policies
O  Military Discharge Papers
O  Real Estate Deeds
O  Business Agreements
O  Stock/Bond/RRSP Certificates
O  Safety Deposit Box – ensure 2nd party access from the bank
O  Income Tax Returns dating back at least 7 years
O  Automobile Registration
O  Documents of Authenticity – jewellery, art and other collections

 

At time of death, you should contact all of the following as appropriate.
1.Contact MSBC to verify final wishes and arrangements including prepayment.
2.Contact funeral home as advised by MSBC.
3.Make sure all credit cards are destroyed if appropriate i.e. ensure credit card is not issued to two people.
4.Contact Credit Card Client Card Services and inform them of the date you wish to terminate the card and reason.
5.Contact family clergy as appropriate
6.Contact each bank in which there is an account and request release of funds. Otherwise pre-arrange with bank to have yourself added as a joint account holder.
7.Contact Property Manager, Care Home Provider, or any other residential facility as is appropriate and give notice of termination.
8.Contact Cell Phone Provider, Hydro, Cable and Telephone, Internet Services and cancel as appropriate.
9.Contact public library and ensure there are no books, audio, video items signed out.
10.Contact any in-home services, i.e. cleaners, gardeners, home care, VON, Meals-on-Wheels and request stop to services as appropriate.
11.Contact Personal Accountant, Executor, Power of Attorney if appropriate.
12.Contact OAS and all Pension Providers (CPP and Ex-Employers). The Funeral Home will have the form to claim for CPP Death Benefit.
13.Contact Veteran Affairs (Disability Program/Funeral Burial Assistance).
14.Inform GST Credit, Canada Child Benefits (CCTB) and BC Health.
15.Inform Post Office if mail to be re-directed or held.