Has there been a death? You have our sincere condolences on your loss.

While the coming days will likely not be easy, we at the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa will do everything in our power to make them a little bit easier.

Typically, the first few steps after a death are to:

1. Ensure a medical professional (doctor or coroner) has pronounced the death. Once a medical certificate of death has been signed, a funeral home can then bring a body into its care.
2. Schedule a time and place to discuss final arrangements with the funeral home of your choice, including where you'd like to meet. The Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa can meet with you anywhere in Eastern Ontario.
3. Before meeting with you, the funeral director will provide a list of items and information to bring to the appointment. A will and marriage certificate, if available, will be helpful to bring.
4. If there is no will, we recommend determining who the appropriate legal next-of-kin is according to Ontario law.

From there, the Funeral Co-operative of Ottawa will coordinate, as needed:

• Transporting the body into our care
• Arranging the funeral
• Looking after legal and administrative formalities
• Helping you choose a casket or urn
• Organizing visitations, the service, and/or the burial
• Placing a death notice or obituary
• Holding or arranging a catered reception
• Creating photos or souvenir montages
• Ordering flowers
• Ordering vehicles, funeral directors, pallbearers
• Directing donations to charitable organizations
• Repatriation or international coordination
• Providing an executor's toolkit
• Notifying CPP, OAS, and CRA
• Helping apply for CPP death and survivor benefits
• Notifying credit agencies to prevent fraud

To better understand and prepare yourself for the steps involved in organizing a funeral, we suggest reading:

1. Our Funeral Planning Guide
2. The Consumer Information Guide, by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

If the death occurs outside a medical facility and was not expected, dial 9-1-1 immediately so that a medical professional can pronounce the death.

When the funeral arrangements are made, a close relative must sign a Statement of Death (Form 15), prepared by FCO staff, in the presence of a witness.

Before going to the funeral home, it is a good idea to assemble documentation and any verbal indications regarding funeral wishes.

Check whether any cards, documents, or membership forms exist, to ensure your actions are dignified and respectful.

It can be helpful to have a lawyer if there is a sizeable estate. A lawyer can advise and guide you through the succession process. If you don’t have a lawyer, we can recommend one.