PRACTICAL MATTERS

These are some practical, legal, and financial matters that need to be dealt with following the passing of a loved one.

1. Notify friends and family.
2. Deal with intentions as to donation of organs, cremation, or burial.
3. Make funeral arrangements.

• Personal Documents 

1. Statement of Death: issued by the funeral home (free)
2. Medical Certificate of Death: issued by a physician or the Medical Examiner’s office (free)
3. Death Certificate: ordered through Service Alberta (charges will apply)
4. Birth Certificate
5. Driver’s License
6. Marriage Certificate
7. Passport
8. Personal Will
9. Social Insurance Card (or Number)

• Financial Documents 

1. Bank and Credit Cards
2. Bank Account Numbers
3. Bank Statements (Chequing, Saving, Line of Credit, etc.)
4. Investment Records (bonds, stocks, RRSP, GIC’s, etc.)
5.  Loan Agreements
6. Mortgage Papers
7. Lease and/or Rental Contracts
8. Safety Deposit Box Number (if applicable)

• Property Documents

1. Land Titles
2. Personal Possessions
3. Vehicle Registration

• Health Documents

1. Provincial Health Care Card or Number
2. Other health insurance providers

• Other Documents 

1. Insurance Policies (life, medical, home, car, business, mortgage etc.)
2. Employee Benefit Booklets
3. Pension Information
4. Utility Account Numbers (electricity, gas, water, cable, phone…)
5. Previous Tax Returns 
6. Membership Cards (sport, professional associations, library)

• To Transfer 

1. Joint Accounts (Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Investment Accounts, RRSP’s, GIC’s etc.) Any accounts held in common can be transferred to the survivor. Contact your financial advisor to find out more.
2. Land Titles (Toll-free: 310-0000, ask for Land Titles). You can also contact an Alberta Registries office for details.

• To Cancel

1. Alberta Health Care Card
   Toll free 310-0000, at the prompt dial 780-427-1432 Alberta Health Care requires the name, address, and personal health number of the deceased.
2. Passport
   If the deceased held a valid passport at the time of death, return it to the nearest passport centre or mail it to the processing centre. Include a copy of the death certificate or a letter stating why you are returning the passport.
3. Insurance Policies
   Notify all insurance companies with whom the deceased had policies. You may also need to contact the person’s employer to cancel workplace insurance policies.
4. Bank Cards
   Contact the issuing bank to cancel bank cards held by the deceased.
5. Credit Cards
   Contact the issuing bank to cancel credit cards held by the deceased.
6. Safety Deposit Box (if applicable)
   Contact the bank for access to the safety deposit box registered to the deceased, then close the safety deposit box held by the deceased.
7.  Leases/Rentals Agreements
   Cancel any lease or rental contracts in the name of the deceased or transfer them to another name.
8. Benefits (if applicable)Alberta Senior’s Benefit 1-800-642-3853. You will need to provide Alberta Health Care with the deceased’s name and health care number.Canada Pension Plan 1-800-277-9914 You will be asked to provide the name, address, and social insurance number of the deceased.Disability Benefit 1-800-277-9914 You will need to cancel disability payments, both federal and Provincial.Veterans Benefit 1-866-522-2122 Contact Veterans Affairs for further information.
9. Memberships (sport/recreation clubs, professional associations, libraries) Cancel memberships or transfer them to another name as appropriate.

• Alberta Supports
  Contact: 1-877-644-9992
  If a family is unable to pay, the government department of Alberta Family and Social Services can provide assistance for basic funeral services, a casket, and cemetery or cremation fees.
• CPP Lump Sum Death Benefit 
  Contact: 1-800-277-9914
  You will need to provide a copy of the death certificate or statement of death, your birth certificate, and social insurance number.
• CPP Survivor’s Benefit
  Contact: 1-800-277-9914
  Benefits for children may also be available if applicable.
• Children’s Benefit
  Contact: 1-800-277-9914 There may be benefits available for children under the age of 18 or for children between 18 and 25 who are full-time students.
  
• Allowance for the Survivor
  Contact: 1-800-277-9914
  This benefit for widows and widowers is based on income qualifications.
• Guaranteed Income Supplement
  Surviving widows/widowers over the age of 65 may be entitled to this benefit.
• Veterans Benefits
  Contact: 1-866-522-2122
  If the deceased was a veteran, you may be eligible for benefits.  Contact Veterans Affairs for details.