Difference between revisions of "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, a death certificate declares the date, location and cause of a person’s death as later entered in an official register of deaths.

'''disposition permit''': A document that outlines how human remains <span class="noglossary">will</span> 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 <span class="noglossary">brief</span> 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 <span class="noglossary">account</span> 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.