To help you through this difficult time, this pamphlet has been prepared. Following my husband's death, I made two mistakes, which took months to rectify. But a year later, while handling his mother's affairs, I was fully prepared. And I trust, with this information at hand you will be, too.
It is never appealing to attend to what must be done following a funeral, but some things should be taken care of as soon as possible. To make this easier for you, the following steps are kindly offered.
In the case of an adult:
- Locate his/her Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.), Health Card Number, medical benefits card(s), birth or baptismal certificate and marriage certificate, if applicable
- Locate his/her will
You will have been supplied, by the funeral director with proof of death certificates, as well as a form with which to claim the death benefit from Canada Pension Plan (if the deceased has paid into it).
As soon as possible:
- Supply the bank or trust company with a death certificate and if requested, a copy of the will. They will stop deposit of Old Age Security (O.A.S.), Canada Pension Plan (C.P.P.), Government Sales Tax (G.S.T.) rebate and other pension cheques into the bank account of the deceased, in the month following his/her death. (this may apply only in Ontario) This avoids having to return them. If they are mailed, write “Return to Sender” on the envelope and put in mail
- Send a death certificate to the above government departments
- Write thank you notes for flowers and charitable donations (not sympathy cards). Donor's names and addresses will be mailed to you by the firm, or firms receiving them
If you are the spouse of the deceased:
- Take a death certificate and copy of will to the Department of Transport to have ownership of any vehicle changed to your name, if necessary. Also cancel driver's license of the deceased
- Inform insurance firms, including those covering life, health, hospitalization, home and vehicle, sending copies of the death certificate
- Change the beneficiaries of your policies, also your own will, if necessary
- Ensure executor claims Canada Pension death benefit, using the form supplied by the funeral director. To make this claim, you will supply:
- Verified copies of birth or baptismal certificate
- Social insurance number card for the deceased as well as yourself and any dependant children
- Marriage certificate
- Death certificate and a copy of contract or invoice for the funeral
- Your bank manager, lawyer, pharmacist, etc. can verify your photocopies
- Provide death certificates and possibly copies of the will for firm(s) concerning investments, e.g. Registered Retirement Savings Plan (R.R.S.P.), Registered Retirement Income Fund (R.R.I.F.), Guaranteed Investment Certificates (G.I.C.s), etc.
- Prepare or have prepared a (Terminal) T1 Tax Return. If the death occurs between January 1 and October 31, the latest filing date is April 30 of the year following. If between November 1 to December 31, the tax return must be filed within six months following the death. If a person dies after December 31, but before April 30, special rules can apply. (may apply to Ontario only)
- A helpful preparation guide is available from your local Tax Service Office without charge. Also a T1 General Income Tax Return form, as well as Schedules and Benefit Guide will be supplied on request
- Information to be included in the Tax Return will be sent to you during the next three months, e.g. C.P.P. benefits received
Personal Guidelines
For most, the weeks and months after a death are a difficult time of adjustment. It is important to take the time necessary to care for yourself.
The following are suggested guidelines:
- Try to avoid any major changes in the first year (moving, selling the house, job change)
- Try to use nature's sedative – fresh air and exercise. This will increase your energy and help you to recover from sadness
- Try to maintain good nutrition and regular meal patterns even though you may not feel hungry or want to cook. It is important for your health
- Try to be aware of your personal safety when at home. For example, check and use locks, security system, automatic light devices
- Try to maintain a regular sleep routine
- Try to write about your feelings. Keeping a journal can be helpful
- Try to set a goal for yourself, as simple as it may be, that is new and interests you
- Try to notice the good and peaceful moments you have. Remember the good times as well as the bad
- Try to focus on the people who love you and need your love
- Try to find a support group for persons with similar losses. Sharing experiences can help you feel less alone
Because you have loved the person who died, you will, step by step, want to reinvest in life. Welcoming life again can be a sharing experience as well as a very individual process, one of recovery and growth.
Dear Friends,
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry was privileged to help the author of this pamphlet, Evelyn Ball, during her own time of loss. Through her experience in handling the affairs of a deceased loved one, she acquired invaluable knowledge into what one is required to do. Ms. Ball approached us in early 2000 to see if we would assist her with the production and distribution of a pamphlet detailing her experiences with arranging for a funeral, settling an estate, etc. She had already composed “Preparing For the Loss of a Loved One” on her home computer and was offering it to those friends who were handling the affairs of a loved one. When approached, we read and were very impressed with the information within the pamphlet. Although we ensured the information was accurate, we purposely did not alter the text, format or wording. Hulse, Playfair & McGarry is very pleased to have made this pamphlet available for public use in the hope that it will be of assistance to anyone planning funeral arrangements.
In 2004, Ms. Ball approached us once again to help her produce “When you have Lost a Loved One” designed to help after a funeral is over. This pamphlet is taken, in part, from her original but is designed specifically for after death assistance. We are pleased to also make this available.
Sincerely,
Patrick McGarry
Vice President
McGarry Family Chapels
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
