First 48 Hours After a Death — A Canadian Checklist

Last updated July 5, 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
In the first 48 hours after a Canadian death — have death pronounced by a medical professional (who may do this varies by province and circumstances), notify immediate family, contact the funeral home, locate the will and any pre-arrangement documents, identify the executor, contact the workplace if applicable, start a notification list for friends and extended family. Almost everything else can wait. The most common executor mistake in the first 48 hours is trying to do too much; the practical priority is medical pronouncement, family notification, and beginning funeral arrangements. Banks, government, insurance, tax — all of those can wait a week.

The first 48 hours after a Canadian death are the moments when families most need a simple, focused checklist — and least need a 3,000-word legal article. This page gives you both: the actual checklist immediately below (you can read or print it from screen), a downloadable PDF version, and at the bottom, a brief comparison with the personalized version available to It's Simple Will customers.

When to use this checklist

For families in the first 48 hours after a death. Especially helpful when:

  • The death was sudden and there was no time to prepare
  • You have been named executor and don't yet know what's expected
  • The family is grieving and needs a focused, written list to follow
  • The deceased did not prepare a Life Discovery Kit or similar document

The checklist

Within the first 12 hours

  • Death pronouncement by a medical professional — depending on the province and circumstances, this may be a physician, nurse practitioner, or nurse; for an unexpected death, call 911 (the coroner's or medical examiner's office may then be involved)
  • Notify immediate family in person or by phone (not text or email if avoidable)
  • If the deceased had specific people they wanted contacted first, honour those wishes
  • Identify and arrange immediate care for any pets
  • Take a deep breath; do not try to do everything today

Within the first 24 hours

  • Contact the funeral home (the deceased's pre-arrangement, if any, will identify which one)
  • Arrange transportation of the body if not already done
  • Locate the will (or at least confirm the executor)
  • Notify the deceased's workplace if employed
  • Begin a notification list for friends and extended family (don't try to call everyone yet — make the list, decide who is making which calls)
  • If the deceased had children at home or under their care, ensure care arrangements
  • Cancel any immediate appointments (doctor, dentist, planned travel)

Within the first 48 hours

  • Initial meeting with the funeral home (often a 1-2 hour appointment)
  • Identify any pre-arrangement or pre-payment with the funeral home
  • Discuss whether the deceased had any specific funeral wishes (the will may include them; a Funeral Pre-Planner document if one exists)
  • Locate or order initial death certificate copies (order 8-12 to start; can order more later)
  • If the deceased had a Life Discovery Kit, locate it
  • Continue family communication

What can wait — do NOT try to do these in the first 48 hours

  • Banking and credit card notifications (can wait 5-10 days)
  • Government benefits notifications (can wait 1-2 weeks)
  • Probate application (can wait 2-4 weeks)
  • Tax filings (can wait until next tax season for many; CRA notification can wait 30 days)
  • Insurance claims (can wait 1-2 weeks)
  • Investment account notifications (can wait 1-2 weeks)
  • Subscription cancellations (can wait — they keep billing until cancelled, but the urgency is low)

Trying to do all of these in the first 48 hours leads to exhaustion, mistakes, and decision fatigue. The early days are for grief and immediate logistics; the operational arc of estate administration runs over months.

Download a print-ready PDF

The full checklist is also available as a print-ready PDF. Optional newsletter signup; the content is free to read above either way.

Download the First 48 Hours checklist PDF →

(PDF download with optional email capture for It's Simple Will updates. We will not share your email with anyone.)

Want a checklist customized for your situation?

This is the standard free checklist anyone can use. For customers who create their will with It's Simple Will, the Life Discovery Kit generates a personalized version — pre-filled with your specific information so the executor isn't reading generic guidance, they're reading actionable items unique to your estate.

For example, the personalized version of this checklist would include:

  • Your funeral home's actual name and phone number (you selected during the will questionnaire)
  • The contact details of the executor you named in your will
  • Specific instructions for any pets in your household
  • Your designated initial contact list (people the family should call first)
  • Your insurance policy reference numbers and beneficiary information for insurance contacts (week 2 follow-up, not day 1)

Learn more about It's Simple Will and the Life Discovery Kit →

Citations & sources

  1. [1]Canada.ca — What to do when someone dies — Government of Canada
  2. [2]Funeral Service Association of Canada — Funeral Service Association of Canada

Frequently asked questions

What absolutely must happen in the first 24 hours?

Death pronouncement, family notification of immediate family, and beginning contact with the funeral home. If the death occurred at home outside of expected end-of-life circumstances, call 911. If under hospice care or in hospital, the medical team handles pronouncement. The funeral home can typically transport the body within hours.

When should I locate the will?

Within the first 48 hours if possible. The will identifies the executor — the person legally responsible for the estate. Even if final estate work can wait weeks, knowing who the executor is matters for the early decisions (funeral arrangements, immediate family communication).

What if I do not know where the will is?

Common storage locations to check — home safe, safe deposit box at the bank, lawyer's office (call the lawyer who drafted it; many Canadian lawyers keep originals), with the executor if separate from the family, in a filing cabinet with other important documents. The Life Discovery Kit (if the deceased prepared one) will say exactly where it is.

When do I need to contact the bank?

Not in the first 48 hours unless there is an urgent need for funeral expense funds. Most banks have a funeral expense release process that allows partial fund release on production of the invoice; this typically happens in week 1, not day 1. For bank notification in detail, see our dedicated guide.

What if the deceased was the primary income earner?

Survivor benefit applications can begin within the first week. CPP survivor's pension, employer pension survivor benefits, life insurance — these claims process over weeks. Don't try to handle them in the first 48 hours. The immediate priority is family support and funeral arrangements.

What if the deceased had pets?

Pet care is genuinely urgent — animals need food, water, attention, and often medication. Identify who will take immediate care of pets (family, friend, neighbour) within the first 24 hours. Long-term pet care arrangements can wait.

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