First 24 Hours After Death — A Canadian Guide

Last updated July 4, 2026 · 1 min read
Quick answer
In the first 24 hours after a Canadian death — confirm pronouncement (if not already done), notify immediate family in person/phone, contact funeral home (24/7 lines), arrange immediate care for pets and any dependents, locate the will and confirm executor, begin notification list for extended family/friends, and contact employer if applicable. Almost everything else (banking, government benefits, insurance claims, probate application) can and should wait.

The first 24 hours after a death follow a typical sequence. Knowing the priorities helps families avoid trying to do everything at once.[1]

Priority order (first 24 hours)

Immediate (first 1-2 hours):

  • Confirm pronouncement of death
  • Notify immediate family (spouse, adult children, parents)
  • Arrange care for pets and any dependents
  • Take bedside time if desired

Within 4-12 hours:

  • Contact funeral home (24/7 phone lines)
  • Begin coordinating body transport if not already arranged
  • Notify deceased's employer if applicable

Within 12-24 hours:

  • Locate the will and confirm executor
  • Begin notification list for extended family/friends
  • Contact close friends who would want to know
  • Identify pre-arranged funeral home if relevant
  • Locate any pre-arrangement documentation

What CAN wait

  • Banking and credit card notifications (week 1-2)
  • Government benefits notifications (week 1-2)
  • Insurance claims (week 1-2)
  • Probate application (week 2-4)
  • Tax filings (weeks-months)
  • Subscription cancellations (week 1-2)

What we focus on at It's Simple Will

The Life Discovery Kit provides the executor and family with structured information for these first 24 hours — funeral home contact, executor information, will location, pet care instructions, immediate-contact list. Without it, families are researching basic information during acute grief.

Citations & sources

  1. [1]Canada.ca — What to do following a death — Government of Canada

Frequently asked questions

What's the priority order in the first 24 hours?

Pronouncement (immediate); immediate family notification (first hour); pet/dependent care (first hour); funeral home contact (first 4-12 hours); locating the will and executor (first 12-24 hours); broader family communication (over 24 hours).

When do I need to contact the funeral home?

Within a few hours typically. They have 24/7 phone lines. Earlier if death occurred at home and body needs transport; later if death was in hospital (where body remains until transport coordinated).

What about the will?

Locate within 24 hours if possible. The will identifies the executor — the person legally responsible. Even if final estate work waits weeks, knowing who the executor is matters for early decisions.

What about the employer?

Notify within first 24 hours if deceased was employed. Employer needs to know to stop payroll, address benefits, coordinate with HR for final pay and survivor benefits.

Should we delay the obituary?

First 24 hours is for family communication. Obituary publication typically waits 2-5 days while service details are finalized.

What if family members can't agree on something?

First 24 hours isn't the time for major decisions. Let the immediate priorities (family communication, funeral home contact) take precedence. Major disagreements (service style, disposition, who participates) can wait 1-2 days while family gathers.

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