What to Do When Someone Dies in Canada: Step by Step

The steps, in order

1. Register the deathThe funeral home usually registers the death with the provincial or territorial vital statistics office and can help order the death certificate. Ask for several copies: banks, insurers and agencies each want one.What to do when someone dies (Canada.ca)
2. Don’t lock anyone out of their phone and accountsDo this before anything digital. Keep their phone charged and switched on. Don't cancel the phone contract, SIM or email account, and don't reset or wipe any phone, tablet or computer: many accounts send sign-in codes to the phone, or to an authenticator app on it. Don't guess passwords or close accounts: some hold photos, bills or information the executor will need.Apple Legacy Contact: getting access · Google: request data from a deceased user's account
3. Find the will and the executorThe will names the executors: the people responsible for sorting out money, property and belongings. If a solicitor holds the will, contact them first. If there's no will, the next of kin usually applies to deal with things instead.
4. Tell the Government of CanadaTell Service Canada (Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security) and the Canada Revenue Agency. You may be able to claim the CPP death benefit and survivor's pension.Who to notify and benefits checklist (Canada.ca)
5. Funeral wishesCheck for any funeral wishes or a pre-paid plan before booking anything, and agree the arrangements with the executor and family.
6. Keep the home and belongings safeMake sure the home is locked and safe. Don't remove, sell or give away anything, even things you were promised: that's for the executor to do. Let the executor know if the home will be empty, as the insurer needs to be told.
7. Money, property and the estate: for the executorBanks, pensions, insurance, the employer, subscriptions, property and probate are dealt with by the executor (or, if there's no will, the person who applies to deal with the estate). If that's you, the records listed here will help, along with the official guidance. If it isn't you, pass anything useful to the executor rather than contacting these organisations yourself.What to do when someone dies (Canada.ca) · What to do when a loved one dies (CRA)

Some of this may not apply to you

These are the usual steps for whoever is dealing with things: normally close family and the executor. If you were simply left something, you may not need to do anything at all. Money, property and probate are the executor’s job.