What should you do after the death of a loved one?
Figuring out what to do first after the death of a loved one can seem overwhelming. Besides letting family and friends know, there are several organisations in Ontario you need to notify when a person has passed away. Whether it is an expected or unexpected death, it is never easy to deal with getting these first few things taken care of.
Who to call first
An expected death: call the doctor who was caring for the deceased person.
An unexpected death: call emergency services first.
No available doctor/emergency services in the area: contact the local coroner’s office.
Unsure about the circumstances: contact the local coroner’s office or the Chief Coroner of Ontario.
What if a loved one dies outside of Canada?
Organ and tissue donation
Organ and tissue donation can help enhance and save lives, and provide immediate comfort and long-lasting consolation to grieving family members.
You can also choose to donate a body to science or medical research in Ontario.
More information: Trillium Gift of Life Network
More information: whole body donation
Arrange the funeral
Funeral directors can help you make arrangements for full funeral services.
For more information, you can contact:
Bereavement Authority of Ontario
Toll-free: 1-844-493-6356
Toronto: 647-483-2645
E-mail: info@thebao.ca
Website: www.bereavementauthorityontario.ca
If your arrangements include burial or cremation, the cemetery or crematorium you choose can help you.
Get a burial permit
In most cases, funeral directors can help get a burial permit.
You need a burial permit before funeral services, including cremation, can be performed. You need this permit, even if the burial or other arrangements will take place outside the province.
If the death was outside Ontario, but the burial and arrangements will take place in the province, you will need a burial, transit or removal permit from the jurisdiction where the death occurred.
Death Registration
A funeral director usually oversees the process of registering a death.
To register, a funeral director submits 2 documents to a municipal clerk’s office:
A Medical Certificate of Death: the attending doctor or a coroner completes this form, outlining the cause of death.
A Statement of Death: a family member and a funeral director complete this form, together. It includes personal information about the deceased (e.g., family history, age at death, place of death).
Information that is gathered about causes of death can be used for medical/health research or statistics.
Get a death certificate
You can apply for it at any time, but it cannot be issued until a death is registered.
You may need an original or certified copy of this certificate to:
- settle an estate
- access insurance benefits
- access or cancel certain government services (e.g., health card, pension)
- research a family tree
Who can request: next of kin, an executor or estate administrator.
List of Funeral Homes in Ottawa, Ontario
Hulse Playfair & McGarry – Central Chapel
315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON
(613) 233-1143
Serge Legault Maison Funeraire
103 Boulevard des Allumettières, Gatineau, QC
(819) 771-6289
Beechwood, Cemetery and Funeral Services
280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON
(613) 741-9530
Robert & Gauthier Beauchamp Funeral Home, Hull
271 Boul St-Joseph, Hull, QC
(819) 770-1300
Lafleur & Robert Funeral Homes – Casselman
709 Main Street, Casselman, ON
(613) 443-3286
Robert & Gauthier Beauchamp Funeral Home, Gatineau
105 Boul Greber, Gatineau, QC
(819) 561-1969
Outaouais Funeral Cooperative – Hull Sector
95, boul. Cité-des-Jeunes, Gatineau, QC
(819) 568-2425
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry – St Laurent Chapel
1200 Ogilvie Road, Ottawa, ON
(613) 748-1200
Outaouais Funeral Co-operative – Gatineau Sector
1369, boul. La Vérendrye Ouest, Gatineau, QC
(819) 568-2425
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry – West Chapel
150 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, ON
(613) 728-1761
Outaouais Funeral Cooperative – Salon Gauvreau
750, boul. Maloney Est, Gatineau, QC
(819) 663-2468
Robert & Gauthier Beauchamp Funeral Home, Aylmer
47 Denise Friend, Aylmer, QC
(819) 684-1155
Tubman Funeral Homes – Nepean
3440 Richmond Rd, Nepean, ON
(613) 722-6559
Kelly Funeral Homes – Orleans Chapel
2370 St Joseph Blvd, Orleans, ON
(613) 235-6712
Heritage Funeral Complex
1250 Trim Road, Orleans, ON
(613) 830-2305
Kelly Funeral Homes – Kanata Chapel
580 Eagleson Rd, Kanata, ON
(613) 235-6712