The most urgent steps required following a death are detailed in the Immediate Help section but you will soon be called upon to address many different choices and decisions.  To help you prepare we have provided a summary of the more important matters you will want to consider.

• Your doctor who may provide a medical certificate of death or request an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
• The funeral home to arrange for the transfer of the deceased (usually this can be done within 1-2 hours although it may take longer to obtain a release from the hospital) and set an appointment with you to make further arrangements
• Relatives, executor/executrix and friends
• Employers (the employer of the deceased and relatives who will need time off)
• Insurance agents (life, health and accident)
• Religious, fraternal, civic and veterans organizations and unions
• Lawyer and accountant

• Full legal name - other names must be identified by “Also known as” (AKA)
• Home address and telephone number
• Name of business or employer’s name, address and telephone number
• Industry and occupation
• Military service serial number
• Date and place of birth
• Citizenship
• Father’s name and birthplace
• Mother’s name, maiden name and birthplace
• Locate the will

Decide within a few hours:

• Clothing that the deceased will be buried or cremated in
• Whether your loved one is to be buried, cremated or entombed
• The Funeral Director will ask if you have made any arrangements with a cemetery or crematorium. If you have not done this, you will need to visit the cemetery.
• Service details - would you like a visitation period, formal service, a reception?
• Whether a member of the clergy will be engaged for the service
• Pallbearers, music, pictures, flowers, scripture or other readings
• Casket selection
• If you would like a charity to receive donations in lieu of flowers

Decide within a few hours:

Whether you would prefer cremation or casket burial or entombment (if you haven’t already decided)

• If Cremation:
  • Would you like to use our chapel for a short service prior to the cremation?
  • What type of urn would you prefer (Metal, Wood, Marble, Ceramic, etc.)?
  • What type of final resting place you would prefer for your loved one (choice of burial, above ground niches or scattering of cremated remains)?

  • Would you like other members of the family to be with your loved one in the future?  This determines the size of the resting place.

  • Decisions to be made regarding burial of urn:
    • What type of memorial do you prefer (bronze or granite marker set flush with the ground or an upright memorial)?
    • Would you like to protect your loved one’s urn with a concrete vault?
  • Decisions to be made regarding above ground niches:
    • Would you like the niche to be inside a building or outside?
    • What type of material would you like the niche to be constructed from? Granite or Bronze are choices for outdoor niches and Marble or Glass are choices for indoor.
  • Decisions to be made regarding scattering:
    • Would you like to be present for the scattering?
    • Would you like a memorial to be placed in the area?

• If Casket Burial:
  • Would you like other members of the family to be with your loved one in the future?  This determines the size of the lot.
  • What type of memorial do you prefer (a marker set flush with the ground or an upright memorial)?
  • Would you like to protect your loved one’s casket with a concrete vault
  • What type of presentation would you prefer for the burial service e.g. a tent canopy, chairs, mats leading to the grave etc.?

• If Casket Entombment:
  • Would you like other members of the family to be with your loved one in the future?  This determines the size of the crypt.
  • What type of memorial package would you prefer (choice of flower vase and memorial light)?

(Required to establish rights for insurance, pensions, survivor benefits, ownership, etc.)

• Will
• Legal proof of age or birth certificate
• Social Insurance Card
• Marriage license
• Citizenship papers
• Insurance policies
• Bank books
• Deeds
• Car ownership papers
• Income tax returns, receipts or cancelled cheques
• Military discharge papers