After the Service
With the death of a loved one comes the realization that important matters need to be settled, including financial, legal and business decisions. Often, those who must take charge are the least prepared to do so. Please realize the following information is only a general guide that may or may not apply to your particular situation.

Certificates of Death
Provincial Death Certificates can be obtained from your Funeral Director or FSP and are required for Land Titles when property is in the deceased’s name.
Life Insurance
Have all the Life Insurance policies on the deceased been found and beneficiary requests completed?
Change the beneficiary information on current Life Insurance policies that name the deceased as beneficiary
Probate
If the will has to be probated a lawyer can explain the various steps that are required. Probate refers to the legal procedure that obtains Court approval to officially recognize the named Executor as the proper legal representative of the estate. If probate is necessary, the following information is required.
- The original of the will
- Names and addresses of all the benificiaries
- Location of all assets, including Bank Accounts, Stocks, Debentures, Mortgages, Land titles and any other valuable personal household effects, automobiles, and other property.
- Place and date of filing last tax return.
- Birth and marriage certificates of the surviving spouse.
Government Affairs
Notify Canada Pension and Old Age Security (1-800-277-9914) if:
- The estate is to keep OAS and CPP pensions for the month that the death occurred.
- Apply for Lump sum death benefit
- If the deceased contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan for at least 3 years, a lump sum death benefit may be available to the estate
The application form is to be completed, then mailed or taken down to one of the Human Resources Canada locations within 60 days.
*See list of locations below.
Apply for Survivors benefit (Widows or Orphans)
Vital stats 1-888-876-1633 or www.vs.gov.bc.ca to get a replacement marriage certificate by phone using a credit card, must have complete names, dates.
- Form to be completed and sent to Human Resources Canada
Employment Insurance to be notified if deceased was in receipt of EI
Cancel SIN # (1-800-206-7218)
- Dropped off or mailed to any Human Resource Canada location
Current Passport to be returned (1-800- 567 6868)
H.S.T cheque issued after the date of death is to be returned
Revenue Canada (1-800-959-1953)
Veterans Affairs
- If the deceased was a war veteran a benefit may be available
- Last Post Fund National Office (1-800-465-7113)
Health Affairs
BC Health Services
(1-800-465-4911) card to be cancelled
- A new BC Health Card will be mailed to the spouse if applicable
Medical Alert Registry
- To be cancelled (1-800-668-1507)
Lifeline
- To be cancelled (250-755-7691)
Home Care Program
- To be canceled – Interior Health care 604-554-4145
- To be canceled – Nurse Next Door 250-377-0011
Return medical equipment:
- beds
- chairs
- oxygen
Private Health Insurance
- To be cancelled – Blue Cross (1-888-275-4672)
*Notify doctor, dentist, optometrist, pharmacist, and physiotherapist etc to prevent appointment reminders
Housing
House and Property Insurance
Changed to reflect the current policy holder
Mortgage and Loans
Changed to reflect current owner
Property Tax
Changed to reflect accurate information on the property tax rolls. Contact your city or township hall. Copy of death certificate is fine.
Land Titles Office
Contact B.C. provincial land titles office in New Westminster #300 88-6th. Street. New Westminster
Notify and change the following:
- Hydro
- Phone
- Cable TV
- Internet
- Cell phone
- Gas
- Water
Vehicle
Vehicle Insurance
- Change into the estate name
- Contact ICBC for the appropriate forms
*To change the ownership of a vehicle you will require a copy of the will, a document signed by the executor with vehicle registration number and odometer reading,
Driver’s license
Returned to any motor vehicle office or the Provincial Drivers & Vehicle Licensing Dept.
ICBC Inquiries – 250-374-5335
If a death of a BC resident is due to an automobile accident there maybe a benefit available
BCAA – 1-877-325-8888)
Financial
Bank accounts should be changed to reflect current owner
- Take will and Funeral director’s statement of Death
- Check the status of automatic withdrawals
- Check for loan and mortgage insurance
Safety Deposit Box
Credit Cards
Notify and return cards (phone list attached)
Investments
- Reviewed to reflect correct owner information
- G.I.C’s, T-bills, mutual funds, RRSP’s, RIF’s, Bonds,
- Advice should be obtained for future estate planning tax efficiency
*Financial Advisor…Referrals available
Final Income Tax Return
- Revenue Canada Agency
- A final tax return must be filed on behalf of the deceased person
- If the death occurred between January 1 and October 31, the deadline for filing is April 30th of the following year.
- If the death occurred between, November 1 – December 31, the deadline is six months after the date of death.
Company Pensions
(Canada or other countries where employment occurred) should be notified
Disability Income should be notified if applicable.
If deceased applied for disability pension before date of death, continue to correspond with any information they request.
Worker’s Compensation
- Phone: (604-273-2266)
- Address: 6951 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, BC.
*If the death was job related there maybe an allowance from WCB. Or toll free at 1-888-967-5377
Legal Affairs
Other Personal Affairs
Cancel memberships, season tickets
Notify hairdresser, dry cleaners
Personal effects / clothing (furniture, nick Knacks etc.)
Can be donated to a charitable organization. Some organizations will pick up donations.
Notify magazines, charitable organizations, TV Guide etc. that you wish to stop.
Canada Post will accommodate a change of address
Free for a period of time.
They will provide a form that must be notarized as well a death certificate is necessary.
Cancel or transfer customer reward programs:
- Air miles
- HBC
- SDM Optima
Helpful Phone Numbers
Department of Veteran Affairs
1-800-563-2508
Revenue Canada
1-800-959-8281
Tax Returns packages and forms
1-800-959-8281
Canada Post
1-800-267-1177
Last Post Fund
1-604-572-3242
Credit Card Cancellation
American Express 1-800-387-9700
Bank of Montreal 1-800-263-2263
Canadian Tire 1-800-263-0471
CIBC Visa 1-800-493-2249
Citibank MasterCard 1-800-265-9710
Petro Canada 1-800-668-0220
Platinum Card 1-800-263-1616
Royal Bank Visa 1-800-769-2512
Sears 1-800-265-3675
Shell 1-800-661-1600
Scotia Bank Visa 1-800-387-6556
The Bay / Zellers 1-800-387-4540
Toronto Dominion Visa 1-800-268-9460
Human Resources/Canada Pension Plan Office
For further information write to:
Health and WelfareIncome Security Program
P.O. Box 1177, Federal Building Victoria, B.C.
V8W 2V2
Or telephone
1-800-277-9914 for further information.
Pre-arrangements
It is a wise and thoughtful decision to make your own funeral and cemetery pre-arrangements at this time.
The advantages of funeral and cemetery preplanning are price protection, dollar savings, tax efficiency and most importantly, peace of mind.
Funeral and cemetery pre-arranging means that your family will NOT have to make these difficult decisions!