When Death Occurs

Immediately following the death of a loved one, there are many decisions that must be made. At this time, you may find your emotions are heightened, and for that reason it is a good idea to ask for help in making all the decisions and arrangements. Additionally, the funeral home's staff is eager to assist you and the family in making the best decisions possible. This information can help guide you and your family through the process.

Contact Proper Authorities

Before any arrangements and decisions can be made, a legal pronouncement of death must be declared. If your loved one dies inside of a medical or nursing facility like a hospital or nursing home, the staff will handle getting this declaration made. If your loved one dies at home, you need to immediately contact the local emergency officials to come and take them to a hospital where they can be legally declared dead. Family members who die under hospice care can be declared dead by the hospice staff. This legal declaration must be made before the family can proceed with making any funeral arrangements or handling any legal affairs.

Begin to Make Arrangements

Once your loved one has been declared dead you and your family can proceed with making any type of funeral arrangements. Your loved one may have pre-planned any type of services, and you and your family should first look into those choices. If your loved one has not made any previous type of arrangements, and you have decided on which funeral home you would like to use for the services, you will contact them and meet with the funeral director and begin discussing options.


During this time, if the deceased hasn’t made their final wishes known, the family will need to decide if they will bury or cremate the body, and what type of service should be held. These decisions include the time, date and location of any service; what type of casket or urn your loved

one needs; drafting an obituary notice; deciding on pallbearers; and make any decisions about the specifics of the service like who the officiant will be, what music will be played and who will speak.

Information Funeral Directors May Need

Once you have met the funeral director, they will advise you on any information or paperwork they need for the death certificate or to proceed with making final arrangements.


Information Required:

  • Full name and address
  • Marital status
  • Date and city of birth
  • Father’s name, mother’s maiden name
  • Name of spouse
  • Occupation and employer


Documents Funeral Directors May Need

Funeral directors will need important documents to complete any legal paperwork. These documents include:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Insurance Card
  • Manitoba Health Card
  • Drivers License