Funeral Planning Checklist for Canadians

For Canadian families, planning a funeral involves many small decisions in a compressed time frame. This checklist covers the practical steps in chronological order, from the moment of death through the weeks after the funeral.

Immediate (first 24-48 hours) #

Confirm death:

• Hospital or care facility — staff handles pronouncement
• Home (expected) — call family doctor or 911 (non-emergency line)
• Unexpected death — call 911; coroner may be involved

Contact funeral home:

• Most operate 24/7 for body transfer
• Body transfer is typically arranged within hours
• Initial meeting with funeral director scheduled for next day or two

Notify immediate family:

• Spouse, children, parents, siblings
• Closest friends
• Workplace if relevant (HR for benefits and bereavement)

Secure the home:

• If deceased lived alone, lock doors
• Pets need immediate care
• Mail collection, perishables in fridge
• Valuables secured

Initial decisions:

• Burial vs. cremation (often pre-decided; if not, urgent)
• General funeral home preference
• Religious affiliation if relevant

Days 2-7 — Funeral arrangements #

Meet with funeral director:

• Review services and pricing (request General Price List)
• Casket or urn selection
• Embalming decision (only if open-casket viewing planned)
• Visitation date and time
• Service date and time
• Death registration paperwork (funeral director typically files)

Cemetery or scattering arrangements:

• If burial: cemetery selection, plot purchase or family plot use, opening/closing of grave, monument planning
• If cremation: niche, burial of remains, or scattering plan

Plan the service:

• Religious or secular
• Officiant selection
• Music selection
• Readings or eulogies
• Eulogist(s)
• Service length and structure

Notify wider circle:

• Extended family, friends, colleagues
• Community organizations (clubs, religious community)
• Newspaper or website obituary

Write the obituary:

• Essential info (full name, age, dates, family, service details)
• Optional — life story, achievements, donations in lieu of flowers
• Newspaper and online publishing

Arrange flowers:

• Casket spray (typically from immediate family)
• Sympathy flowers from extended family/friends
• Or donation in lieu of flowers to specified charity

Plan reception:

• Location (funeral home, restaurant, home, community hall)
• Catering or family-provided food
• Approximate attendee count
• Refreshments and meal type

Photo/memorial display:

• Photos of deceased (multiple if possible)
• Personal mementos
• Slideshow or video (some funeral homes can produce)

Pallbearers (if applicable):

• Typically 6 individuals
• Often family members or close friends
• Discuss expectations and arrangements

Day of the service #

Family preparation:

• Arrive early at funeral home (typically 30-60 minutes before)
• Greet visitors at visitation
• Final viewing if applicable
• Procession to service location if separate
• Reception after burial or service

Service flow:

• Visitation (if applicable)
• Funeral service (60-90 minutes typically)
• Procession to cemetery (if burial)
• Committal at graveside (15-30 minutes)
• Reception

Post-funeral (first 30 days) #

Send thank you cards:

• To pallbearers
• To officiant
• To those who brought food
• To those who sent flowers or donations
• To anyone who provided exceptional support

Get death certificates:

• Funeral director typically orders initial batch
• Order more as needed (typically need 5-15 total)
• See how many death certificates

Notify government:

• Service Canada — federal benefits cessation (CPP, OAS, survivor benefits)
• CRA — final tax filing (later, separately)
• Provincial pension if applicable
• Provincial vehicle registration if transfer

Notify financial institutions:

• Banks (each one)
• Investment firms (each one)
• Credit card companies
• Insurance companies (each policy)
• Pension administrators (each)

Notify employer/benefits:

• HR for bereavement and benefits
• Group life insurance claim
• Final paycheque arrangements
• Pension considerations

Manage social media and online:

• Facebook memorialization
• Instagram memorialization
• LinkedIn memorialization or closure
• Twitter/X account memorialization
• Email account (Gmail, Outlook) closure
• Other online accounts

Begin estate administration:

• Locate Will and Life Discovery Kit
• Contact executor named in Will (if not you)
• Apply for probate if required
• See first 30 days executor

Weeks 4-12 — Continuing #

Continue estate administration:

• Asset inventory
• Asset transfers
• Tax filings
• Beneficiary notifications
• Final distribution planning

Monument planning (if burial):

• Often deferred 3-6+ months
• Selection, design, ordering
• Installation typically 6-12 months after death

Anniversary observance (one year):

• Some families have specific traditions
• Yahrzeit (Jewish), Shraddha (Hindu), All Souls Day (Catholic)
• Other annual observances

Continued support:

• Grief counseling if needed
• Family connection
• Memorial events (birthday, anniversary, holiday)

What we focus on at It's Simple Will #

The Funeral Pre-Planner captures your funeral preferences in advance so families have clear guidance when the time comes. Pre-planning reduces the burden of decisions during grief.

Related guides #

• First 30 days executor
• How many death certificates
• Funeral cost budget Canada
• Government death benefits Canada