The First 72 Hours After a Loved One Passes Away: What Families Should Know (Ontario, Canada Guide)

When someone passes away, the first 72 hours can feel overwhelming.

There is grief.
There is responsibility.
And there is often a feeling that everything needs to happen immediately.

But one of the most important things to understand is this: You do not need to do everything right away.

The first 72 hours are about focusing on the right steps — not all steps.

First, Understand This: Legal Authority Changes

When someone dies:

• A Power of Attorney immediately ends

• The person named in the will as the executor (estate trustee) becomes responsible

If there is no will, or no executor is able to act:

• Someone must apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to become an estate trustee without a will.

This process is called applying for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (commonly known as probate).

This involves:

• completing an application

• submitting required documents

• waiting for court approval

Until this happens, no one has full legal authority to manage the estate.

This is why some things cannot be done immediately.

Step 1: Contact the Funeral Home

This should be one of your first steps.

The funeral home will:

• coordinate with the hospital or coroner

• arrange transportation

• coordinate burial or cremation arrangements

• guide you through next steps

• help register the death

In Ontario:

• a death must be registered before a death certificate can be issued (note: the death certificate is a key document needed to manage or transfer assets, access and close accounts, access insurance policies, etc.)

• the funeral director helps complete this process

You do not need to navigate this alone — the funeral home plays a key role early on.

Step 2: Obtain Death Certificates

Death certificates are required for many administrative tasks including:

• insurance claims

• accessing and/or closing accounts

• transferring property and assets such as vehicles or houses

• accessing financial assets including bank accounts, investments, etc.

It is usually recommended to obtain multiple copies (recommend 25+ - you will be surprised how many companies and organizations ask for a copy).

Step 3: Notify Immediate Family and Close Supports

When a loved one passes away, you do not need to call everyone. It is very exhausting having this same conversation multiple times. Focus on:

• spouse or partner

• children

• close family

• key support people

Additionally, you may want to notify key advisors:

• the family lawyer

• financial advisor

• accountant

• insurance companies

It is helpful if contact names and details are included with a person’s will so the communication/notification process is easier.

If the deceased owned a business, business partners or employees may also need to be notified.

Very important — you do not need to notify every organization immediately.

This stage is about:

• support

• communication

• stabilizing the situation

Step 4: Locate the Will

The will is one of the most important documents. It outlines:

• who the executor is (including business executor and/or Health Information Custodian)

• beneficiaries and/or trustees

• instructions for estate distribution

• how decisions should be made

• afterlife wishes including organ donation, cremation, etc.

If you cannot find it:

• check their home

• contact their lawyer

• check safety deposit boxes

Without the will, decisions become more complex and may require court involvement.

Step 5: Confirm Who Is Responsible

If an executor or estate trustee is named, they take the lead.

If there is no will:

• A spouse or close family member will usually apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to become the estate trustee.

This is not automatic.

They must:

• submit an application

• provide supporting documents

• wait for approval

This is why things may feel slow at first.

Step 6: Gather Key Documents

You will need:

• Will

• Death certificate

• Marriage certificate (if applicable)

• Personal identification (including driver’s licence, health card, passport, social insurance number [SIN])

• Insurance policies (including life insurance, car insurance, home insurance, etc.)

• Financial records (banking, credit, investments, stocks, bonds, etc.)

• Property documents (lease or rental agreements, mortgages, multiple properties)

• Tax information (last year’s income tax documents, SIN)

These documents are required to:

• speak with institutions

• access policies

• transfer assets

• close accounts

Without them, many organizations will not proceed.

Optional Step: Pause Financial Accounts Where Necessary

Executors or estate trustees may need to notify financial institutions to prevent unauthorized activity.

Banks typically freeze accounts until the estate is administered.

If the deceased shared accounts with their spouse including banking, credit, line of credit, etc., please pay attention to this note as accounts are often frozen until - at minimum - the certificate of death is provided.

Step 7: Understand What to Do — and What NOT to Do

Many families feel pressure to immediately call:

• banks

• CRA

• Service Canada

• Service Ontario

• credit card companies

In most cases, this is not necessary in the first 72 hours.

Instead, focus on:

• funeral arrangements

• confirming the executor / estate trustee

• gathering documents

Calling too early can result in:

• removing access to accounts

• holds on accounts including line of credit

• repeated calls later

• incomplete information

• added stress

Step 8: Begin Stabilizing Responsibilities

If you are the spouse, partner or estate trustee, it’s important to think about and have conversations surrounding:

• ongoing bills

• home responsibilities

• dependents

• immediate financial needs

If the person owned a business or had financial responsibilities, those may need attention — but not all at once.

Start with the present and what is urgent.

Step 9: Prepare for Ongoing Communication

A difficult reality:

Organizations do not communicate with each other. And they won’t just talk to anyone.

Typically, government organizations, such as Service Canada, as well as banking institutions and investment groups will typically only speak to designated people including the spouse, beneficiaries and/or estate trustee. If a child, friend, family member or other person wants to help but is not listed in the will or on the associated documentation, departments and organizations will not just speak to anyone (even if related).

The executor, spouse or estate trustee will need to:

• contact each one individually

• provide documentation repeatedly (death certificate will be required for all)

• follow up multiple times

It is common to:

• continue receiving mail with the person’s name on the label

• receive reminder calls addressed to the deceased

• encounter delays due to paperwork errors, miscommunication between parties, etc.

This can be frustrating — but it is normal.

What Most Families Don’t Expect

There is no single roadmap to tell you what to do and who to contact. There is no centralized database or sole person who will tell you the steps to follow when you lose a loved one.

You may feel:

• unsure where to start

• overwhelmed by decisions

• frustrated by delays

• exhausted from repeating information

You may also worry:

• “Am I missing something?”

• “Did I do this in the right order?”

These feelings are incredibly common.

Most families are navigating this for the first time.

That’s why this starter guide was created. To give you and your family guidance.

Final Thought - Take Time to Grieve

While administrative responsibilities can feel urgent, grief is also an important process. Friends, community members, and professionals can provide support during this time.

The first 72 hours are not about completing everything. They are about:

• focusing on what matters first

• understanding who has authority

• taking one step at a time

You are allowed to move at a pace that is manageable.