We extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. The loss of a loved one is never easy, and we are here to guide and support you as you navigate the necessary steps ahead.​ Below, you will find the immediate steps you should follow to ensure everything is handled with care and respect.

1. Notify the Funeral Director
   • Contact a funeral home partnered with CMS to ensure you receive discounted funeral plans available to members. Funeral Homes with Our Plans.  
   • Inform the funeral director that the deceased was a CMS member.
   • Share details of any organ, body, or tissue donation arrangements the member made. These wishes must be respected.
   • The funeral home will coordinate with you to transfer the body and arrange a meeting with the executor to discuss the next steps.
     
     
2. Locate the Will
   • If possible, find a copy of the will to confirm the identify the personal representative (executor), who is responsible for leading the funeral preparations.
     
     
3. Update Key Family Members
   • Bring family members together in person, via phone, or electronically (e.g., email, What's App, Zoom or Facebook Family page) to share updates and make decisions.
4. Secure the Home and Vehicle
   • Lock the home and vehicle. Ensure the car is parked legally and securely.
   • Notify the police (non-emergency line: 403-266-1234), landlord, or property manager if the home will be vacant.
   • Arrange temporary care for pets.
     
     
5. Work with the Funeral Director
   • The funeral director will access the deceased's preferences in the CMS registry and guide the personal representative in selecting a CMS plan (if not already pre-selected or prepaid).
   • Decide on the method of disposition (burial or cremation).
   • Complete the Registration of Death with the funeral director's assistance. This document is required by the Government of Alberta.
   • Obtain a Statement of Death from the funeral director, which allows you to obtain a Death Certificate.
     
     
6. Make Funeral Arrangements
   • To avoid unnecessary expenses stick to the selected CMS plan. Link to the funeral homes and plans: Funeral Homes with Our Plans. 
   • Be clear with the funeral director if you do not want to hear additional options.
   • Bring someone along for support when making arrangements.
     
     
7. Notify Key Contacts
   • Inform employers, close friends, and extended family.
   • Check email accounts and contact lists for additional contacts.
     
     
8. Manage Social Media
   • Decide whether to announce the death on social media, based on the member's preferences.
   • For Facebook, consider memorializing the account or having it deleted, depending on the member’s wishes.
   • If the member designated a legacy contact, they can create a memorial post and manage the account within Facebook’s guidelines.
     
     
9. Redirect Mail
   • Use Canada Post's Mail Forwarding service to prevent mail from piling up and attracting attention. This can also help identify subscriptions, creditors, or accounts to cancel.
   • Contact Canada Post Customer Service: 1-800-267-1177 or use their mail forwarding service online.
     
     
10. Write the Obituary
    • (To save money) create two versions of the obituary: a detailed one for online posting and a shorter version for the newspaper.
    • Include only necessary details and avoid specifics like the exact birth date to prevent identity theft.
    • Funeral homes can help write obituaries for a fee, or you can save costs by writing them yourself. You may save money by writing the obituary yourself using our guidance and templates.
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11. Consider After-Care Services
    • Our funeral providers offer after-care services (for an additional fee) to assist with tasks like applying for death benefits (e.g., Canada Pension Plan or Veterans' benefits), canceling driver’s licenses, managing bank accounts, and addressing income taxes.
    • Use this checklist and the executor checklist if you prefer to handle these tasks independently.
      
      

TIP: Take your time and use the resources available to you. Planning during this difficult time can feel overwhelming, but CMS and its partners are here to guide and support you.

Helpful Resources
McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes offers a comprehensive guide online, Remembering a Life: What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away, to support Calgary and area families during the difficult time of loss. This resource provides practical information and compassionate guidance on topics such as initial arrangements, personalized service planning, burial, cremation, green options, and more. It also includes resources for handling the legal and administrative tasks and accessing grief support. 

For members in central Alberta, Parkland and Heartland Funeral Homes have produced the Funeral Pre-Planning Booklet with helpful guidance on planning ahead and understanding your options.

For members in the Edmonton area, Connelly and McKinley Funeral Homes have the Funeral & Cremation Guide with detailed information about available services and how to navigate the planning process.

For additional support, check with our other service providers for assistance and resources tailored to your specific needs.

Other Resources:

• Saying Farewell – Published by the Government of Alberta, this guide provides an overview of funeral planning and dealing with loss.
• Guidelines for Religious Traditions and Funerals – Learn about funeral practices across different faiths and cultures.
• Grief Support – Access resources to help manage grief and find support services.