What To Do

Someone in your family has died.

Nothing can soften the shock and turmoil you feel. To help you gather all the necessary information you will need, here is a guide to follow. You will find it helpful to review this information prior to meeting with your director. You will also find it helpful to review other pages of our website to learn more about the service options available to you.

When someone dies in hospital, hospice or a nursing home: As soon as possible contact Bakerview Crematorium & Celebration Centre. Later, notify family members and close friends.

Bakerview Crematorium & Celebration Centre: 1(866) 922-8844 or (604) 820-8844

When someone dies at home call 911: The Coroner may become involved. If it’s an expected death in the home contact Bakerview Crematorium & Celebration Centre. Later, notify family members, close friends, employer, school, college and/or other institution.

Gather Data for the Arrangement Conference:

Usually, you will require the following information for the completion of a death certificate and for various other legal matters such as life insurance policies, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, drivers license, real estate transactions, pensions, health insurance, retirement plans, Federal / Provincial income taxes, Probate Court and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

During the arrangement conference with one of our directors, it will be helpful for you to have the following details about the deceased. Please complete the Arrangement Conference Form:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Legal residence
Name of spouse (maiden name of wife)
Occupation (prior to retirement)
Social Insurance Number
Place of birth (City, Province or State of birth)
Father’s first name
Mother’s first name and Maiden name

Other information to bring to the Arrangement Conference:

Birth Certificate
Social Insurance Card
List of Surviving Relatives and cities of residence
2-4 Recent Photographs of the deceased
Insurance Papers (if used to pay for the funeral)
Pre-arranged Funeral Data (if any)

Miscellaneous:

Clothing

A full complement of clothing is optional (and not required), but you may include under and outer garments if you choose to. Shoes are not needed. For women an outfit with a closed neckline and long sleeves is desirable. For men, a suit, sport coat or customary outerwear is appropriate.

Other Personal Items

Jewelry, eye glasses and religious items (if any) should be brought to the arrangement conference, or prior to the service. On the day of the service it is customary to confirm which items you wish to be returned to you.

Cremation

It is customary for any personal items such as Jewelry, pictures and other memorabilia to be removed prior to the cremation, as they will be destroyed during the cremation process. Instead, these items may be placed in the selected urn or be returned to you.

Arrangement Appointment Time

Please complete the Planning Form / Arrangement Conference. Afterwards call 1(866) 922-8844 or (604) 820-8844 to schedule a convenient time to make arrangements. Although most arrangements are conducted during normal business hours, we are available by appointment on weekends.

Week 1:

Locate Will
Contact executor, lawyer, trust officer, or other legal advisor
Make funeral arrangements
Contact Clergy/Celebrant
Contact other family, friends or co-workers
Receive original Death Certificate from funeral home
Make appointment with After Care Specialist who will provide valuable information and a checklist that can be used for estate purposes
Apply for a will search (Vital Statistics) if necessary

Weeks 1-4:

Probate will
Locate Bank Accounts and Investments
Check Safety Deposit Box
Obtain unpaid wages and / or other benefits from employer (if any)
Cancel Credit Cards (that are not joint with spouse)
Cancel Driver’s License
Death notification Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
Death notification to cancel benefits and apply for Survivor Benefits (CPP/OAP)
Death notification to Health Care Agency
Death notification to Blue Cross and / or Extended Health Benefits
Death notification and cancellation of Superannuation (Federal / Provincial) and apply for death benefits
Death notification Passport Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada – Death notification to cancel benefits and apply for death benefits