Estate Planning

When a loved one passes away, there are often over 100 important details that need attention. Typically, the executor or a family member must address some of these tasks within the first few days.

Closing an estate is a lengthy process. Collecting much of this information ahead of time can greatly assist your executor and help set clear expectations with your family. Going a step further, pre-planning and prepaying for your funeral with your chosen Funeral Home can potentially save you and your family a substantial amount of money in the future by securing current prices.

Vital information, documents:

1. Ensure you have a valid Will, Living Will, and a chosen Executor for your estate

2. List of important names, addresses and telephone numbers

3. How long you lived at present address or date as to when you started living there

4. Your date of birth

5. Your place of birth

6. Copy of legal proof of age or birth certificate

7. Citizenship, citizenship papers

8. Social Insurance Number

9. Business name or employer’s address/contact

10. Occupation and title if you own a business

11. Father’s name

12. Father’s birthplace

13. Mother’s maiden name

14. Mother’s birthplace

15. Religious name (if applicable)

16. Military Service Serial Number (if applicable)

17. Military Discharge Certificate (if applicable)

18. Power of Attorney

19. Pension information

 20.Copies of Insurance policies (life, health, car, property)

21.Information on your Investments

22. Bank books, account numbers

23. Deeds to properties (house, cottage)

24. Bill of sale of automobile, boat, other

25. Income tax returns for the last 8 years, receipts, cancelled cheques 

26. Disability claims

27. Cemetery Certificate of Ownership 

28. Marriage Licence

29. Names and addresses of your children or close relatives 

30. Passwords: computer, accounts, social media

Planning in advance:

31. Meet with your chosen funeral director, cemetery representative,

and/or clergy

32. Discuss options with loved ones

33. Choose cremation or burial

34. Select style of urn or casket

35. Which funeral practitioner or crematorium to call

36.  Place where service is to be held, ie: funeral home,

religious institution, other

37. Length and location of the visitation

38. Reception location (funeral home, church, other)

39. Service type (religious, military, casual, themed, etc.) 

40. Celebrant (funeral director, clergy, other)

41. Select pallbearers and other participants

42. Choose flowers and/or a commemorative display

43. Choose music (spiritual, popular, live or recorded)

44. Select readings (religious and/or secular)

45. Charitable organizations for in-memorium donations 

46. Select catering style (classic, gourmet, themed, custom) 

47. Select the cemetery/mausoleum

48. Cemetery lot, niche, or crypt location

49. Vault or sectional crypt

50. Style of memorial (marker, stone, niche, bench, etc.) 

51. Decorative elements and inscriptions

52. Interment service details, celebrant etc.

53. Note the details/people to be included in obituary

54. Make notes on what to include in eulogy

55. Transportation for deceased

56. Transportation for family (coach, procession, limo)

57. Determine budget and how expenses will be paid i.e.

full amount due at the time of crisis, or, in affordable installments available by pre-planning

Responsibilities of Executor at time of death:

58. Notify Funeral home and cemetery

59. Notify Doctors, Pharmacists, Optometrists, Dentists, and Drug Stores, etc.

60. Relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours 

61. Employers of the deceased 

62. Insurance agents (life, health & accident)

63. Organizations (religious, fraternal, unions)

64. Lawyer and accountant

65. Bankers, investors, creditors, and loyalty point clubs

66. File for probate

67. Terminate leases if applicable

68. Mail application for Death Benefits in Canada

69. Cancel phone, cable, TV subscriptions, and mail equipment back

70. Cancel social security benefits if receiving American funds

71. Cancel any outstanding appointments

72. Cancel Canadian Dental Care Plan

73. Cancel Passport if not already expired

74. Complete and mail the ‘Request for the Canada Revenue Agency to Update Records Form RC4111

75. Notify Service Canada (CPP/OAS)

76. Cancel Health Card and if applicable, return accessible parking permit

77. File as executor and certify Will at Service Canada

78. Cancel mail and re-route for 6 months if necessary

79. Close FB/Instagram accounts etc.

80. Cancel Gmail/Email accounts

81. Set time/date of services, visitation, internment

82. Inform and instruct pallbearers

83. Choose clothing for the deceased

84. Create online memorial

85. Create social media announcements

86. Write eulogy or provide notes to assist the writer 

87. Prepare home for receiving visitors

88. Check and sign legal papers, burial permits etc. 

89. Place obituary or provide vital statistics about

deceased to the newspaper

90. Respond to phone calls, messages, cards

91. Arrange lodging for out-of-town guests

92. Make list of callers and floral tributes for 

mailing thank you cards

93. Arrange for any special religious requirements

94. Check Will regarding specific wishes and contact beneficiaries

95. Order multiple copies of the Death Certificate

96. Arrangements for care of dependents and pets 

97. Arrange clergy participation, pay clergy fees 

98. Pay utilities and other current or urgent bills

(mortgage or rent, taxes, installment payments) 

99. Pay any outstanding medical or legal fees

100. Pay florist and caterers, unless paid in advance 

101. Pay funeral fees, unless paid in advance

102. Pay final taxes

103. Arrange for the immediate family to clear out the wanted items from the home, not spoken for from the beneficiaries

104. Clear out/sell off remaining unwanted items in home - CALL DOWNSIZING DIVA DURHAM!

105.Pay final taxes

106. Distribute any remaining funds to the beneficiaries,

107.Close bank accounts