What To Do at Time of Death

When a loved one passes, most people are overwhelmed and uncertain as to how to proceed. What has to be done? Immediately? Later?

The first need is to take care of the body of the deceased person. MSBC and its Funeral Providers will help you with this seemingly difficult task. We recommend that you proceed as follows:

1.  Phone MSBC at 1-888-816-5902 and identify the deceased.

2.  MSBC will give you the phone number of the nearest Funeral Provider and the current member cost for basic services.

3.  Phone the Funeral Provider. Identify the deceased and state that he or she is a member of the Society. Describe your wishes and confirm the cost.

4.  The Funeral Provider will ask where the deceased can be picked up for transport and will advise you of the next steps.

5.  MSBC will contact the Funeral Provider and confirm that the deceased is a Society member, thereby assuring the low member cost for the services to be provided.

What To Do After Hours

What if your loved one passes outside normal business hours? What then?

1.  Phone MSBC at 1-888-816-5902. After hours, your call will reach our answering service. Tell them that a Society member has passed and that you need the name and phone number of the Society's nearest Funeral Provider.

2.  Phone the Funeral Provider. You may have to leave your name and phone number with a message for an urgent callback. Once you have made contact, identify the deceased and state that he or she is a member of the Society. Describe your wishes and confirm the cost.

3.  The Funeral Provider will ask where the deceased can be picked up for transport and will advise you of the next steps.

4.  At the earliest opportunity, contact MSBC during regular business hours. Identify the the deceased as an MSBC member and give the name of the Funeral Provider that handled the transport. MSBC will contact the Funeral Provider and confirm that the deceased is a Society member, thereby assuring the low member cost for the services to be provided.

Other Topics Requiring Your Attention

Once the immediate needs of the deceased member have been addressed, there will still be many steps to be pursued. The Funeral Provider will need several pieces of information to meet its obligations and provide services, including the issuing of a death certificate.

It is important that you locate and secure (as many as appropriate) of the following documents:
O  Designation Form (MSBC Arrangement Form)
O  Cemetery Arrangement Form
O  Canadian/Foreign Passport
O  Birth, Marriage, Dissolution of Marriage Certificates
O  Citizenship Papers/Aboriginal Peoples´ Status
O  Estate Will and Living Will
O  Pre-Nuptial Agreement
O  Social Insurance Number and BC Health Card
O  Bank Records (deposit book and several months´ statements)
O  Credit Cards, Loan Record
O  Life, Mortgage, Auto and Property Insurance Policies
O  Military Discharge Papers
O  Real Estate Deeds
O  Business Agreements
O  Stock/Bond/RRSP Certificates
O  Safety Deposit Box – ensure 2nd party access from the bank
O  Income Tax Returns dating back at least 7 years
O  Automobile Registration
O  Documents of Authenticity – jewellery, art and other collections

 

At time of death, you should contact all of the following as appropriate.
1.Contact MSBC to verify final wishes and arrangements including prepayment.
2.Contact Funeral Provider as advised by MSBC.
3.Make sure all credit cards are destroyed if appropriate i.e. ensure credit card is not issued to two people.
4.Contact Credit Card Client Card Services and inform them of the date you wish to terminate the card and reason.
5.Contact family clergy as appropriate
6.Contact each bank in which there is an account and request release of funds. Otherwise pre-arrange with bank to have yourself added as a joint account holder.
7.Contact Property Manager, Care Home Provider, or any other residential facility as is appropriate and give notice of termination.
8.Contact Cell Phone Provider, Hydro, Cable and Telephone, Internet Services and cancel as appropriate.
9.Contact public library and ensure there are no books, audio, video items signed out.
10.Contact any in-home services, i.e. cleaners, gardeners, home care, VON, Meals-on-Wheels and request stop to services as appropriate.
11.Contact Personal Accountant, Executor, Power of Attorney if appropriate.
12.Contact OAS and all Pension Providers (CPP and Ex-Employers). The Funeral Home will have the form to claim for CPP Death Benefit.
13.Contact Veteran Affairs (Disability Program/Funeral Burial Assistance).
14.Inform GST Credit, Canada Child Benefits (CCTB) and BC Health.
15.Inform Post Office if mail to be re-directed or held.