Guide for families · checked at source on 9 October 2026

When someone dies in Ontario: a checklist for the family.

In the first days after a death, there’s a lot to do and little room to think. This checklist puts the steps in order, with the government page for each one, so nothing important is missed.

The first hours

General information for Ontario, not legal or tax advice. Every fact links to the government page it comes from.

1. The first hours: who to call

An expected death: call the doctor who was caring for the person.
An unexpected death: call 911 first.
No doctor or emergency service nearby, or unsure of the circumstances: contact the local coroner’s office.

Then, if you’re using one, call a funeral home. Funeral directors can arrange everything for a full service, and families can also make arrangements themselves.

2. Register the death

Two forms register a death in Ontario: the Medical Certificate of Death, completed by the doctor or a coroner, and the Statement of Death, completed by a family member (the informant) with the funeral director. The funeral director sends both to the municipal clerk’s office. Without a funeral home, a family member gets the medical certificate, fills in a Statement of Death from the clerk’s office, and submits both.

The death must be registered before a burial permit can be issued, and that permit is needed for a burial or cremation. A death certificate can be ordered any time, but it can’t be issued until the death is registered. You’ll need it to settle the estate, claim insurance and close accounts. Read Ontario’s page.

3. Find the will

A will may be at home, in a safety deposit box or with a lawyer. To find out whether one was filed, contact the estates division of the local Ontario court where the person lived. The will usually names the estate trustee, also called the executor, who carries out the person’s wishes. A court may or may not need to approve the will through probate.

If there is no will, the estate is divided according to the law, which can be complicated. Ontario suggests speaking to a lawyer; the Law Society of Ontario’s referral service can help you find one.

4. Who to tell

Service Canada: CPP and Old Age Security must be cancelled. The estate is entitled to the payments for the month of death; anything paid after that must be returned. How to cancel.
The Canada Revenue Agency: as soon as possible, to avoid having to repay benefits.
ServiceOntario: to cancel the driver’s licence (there may be a refund if 6 months or more were left and there are no fines). An accessible parking permit must be returned within 30 days.
Banks and other financial institutions, and the Family Responsibility Office if the person paid child or spousal support.

You don’t need to report the Social Insurance Number: when a death happens in a province, the province tells the SIN program for you. Read the federal checklist.

5. Money the estate may be owed

The CPP death benefit is a one-time payment for people who contributed to the Canada Pension Plan. Since January 1, 2025 it is a basic $2,500, with a possible top-up of $2,500, so up to $5,000. Apply as soon as possible; if there is an estate, the executor applies. Read the CPP page. A surviving spouse or partner should also ask Service Canada about survivor benefits.

The executor also files a final income tax return for the person who died.

Planning ahead for your own family? A short list of where things are saves them weeks. Our free readiness score shows what’s missing in two minutes, and Keepwell, free for CASL members, includes an Ontario executor guide.

Common questions

Who do you call first when someone dies at home in Ontario?

If the death was expected, the doctor who was caring for the person. If it was unexpected, call 911. If there’s no doctor or emergency service nearby, or you’re unsure of the circumstances, contact the local coroner’s office.

How is a death registered in Ontario?

With two forms: the Medical Certificate of Death from the doctor or coroner, and the Statement of Death completed by a family member with the funeral director. The funeral director sends both to the municipal clerk’s office.

How much is the CPP death benefit?

Since January 1, 2025, a basic amount of $2,500, with a possible top-up of $2,500, for a maximum of $5,000. Apply as soon as possible after the death.

Do I need to cancel the person’s Social Insurance Number?

No. When a death happens in a Canadian province, the provincial vital statistics agency tells the SIN program automatically.

What happens to CPP and OAS payments after a death?

They must be cancelled. The estate keeps the payments for the month of death; anything paid after that must be returned.

How do I find out if there is a will?

Look at home, in a safety deposit box and with the person’s lawyer, and contact the estates division of the local Ontario court where the person lived to ask whether a will was filed.