Glossary for A Death in Your Family
Autopsy: A specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present.
Assets: What you own. Assets can include things such as money, land, investments, and personal possessions such as jewelry and furniture.
Coroner: A coroner is a government official who investigates human deaths, determines cause of death, and issues death certificates.
Death Certificate: Issued by vital statistics that declares the date, location and cause of a person’s death as later entered in an official register of deaths.
Disposition Permit: A document which outlines how human remains will be disposed of.
Estate: All of the property and belongings you own at your death. The estate does not include property you own with someone else in joint tenancy, or joint bank accounts.
Hospice: Facility that provides special care for people who are near the end of life.
Medical Certificate: A legal document issued by a qualified medical practitioner certifying the death of a person.
Morgue: A place in which dead bodies are temporarily kept until identified and claimed or until arrangements for burial have been made.
Next-of-kin: A person’s closest living blood relative or relatives.
Obituary Notice:A published notice of a death, sometimes with a brief biography of the deceased.
Palliative Care: Care which improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness.
Pathologist: A doctor who specializes in medical diagnosis.
RRSP: A Registered Retirement Savings Plan or RRSP is an account that provides tax benefits for saving for retirement in Canada.
Will: A document, conforming to the requirements of British Columbia law, that contains directions for the disposal or distribution of a person’s assets after his or her death.
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