A Death in Your Family

Cover of A Death in Your Family

Cover of A Death in Your Family

This booklet is for people who want to know more about:

• What to do first when a family member dies;
• Making funeral arrangements;
• Where to find support.

Contents

• Glossary

• Immediate Details Following a Death
  • What are the immediate details around a death? · What is a Medical Certificate of Death? · When might a coroner be involved? · What information does the funeral home need right away? · What is involved in the Death Registration? · What do I need to know about Death Certificates?  · How can I get information about the cause of death?  · What is a Disposition Permit?  · Who needs to be notified of the death?  · What if the loved one wished to donate organs and tissue?

• Making the Funeral Arrangements
  • Making arrangements for the burial or cremation · Funeral and cemetery costs  · What if I need more information or have a complaint?

• Managing Affairs
  • What do I need to know about benefits for survivors? · What do I need to know about re-arranging my own legal affairs?

• BereavementSupport
  • BC Bereavement Helpline  · British Columbia Hospice Palliative Care Association · Griefworks BC  · BC Children's Hospital

About this guide

• Acknowledgements & credits
• About Clicklaw wikibooks

About People's Law School

The People’s Law School is a non-profit charitable society whose purpose is to provide British Columbians with reliable information about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Suite 150

900 Howe Street

Vancouver, BC

V6Z 2M4

Tel 604.331.5400

Fax 604.331.5401

This booklet and others are available on the People's Law School website.

Under the old Divorce Act, the schedule of a parent's time with their children under an order or agreement, replaced with "parenting time" and "contact" in the new Divorce Act. Access usually referred to the schedule of the parent with the least amount of time with the child. See "contact," "custody" and "parenting time."