WHEN DEATH OCCURS

No matter if a death is sudden, or if it something that was a long time coming, the loss of a loved one makes us feel overwhelmed. No amount of preparation can fully prepare you for the loss of a loved one. When you are in a heightened emotional state, even the most basic decisions can seem staggering. The following is a rough guideline of what needs to be done within the first 24 hours after death.

When death occurs at home or a place of business

If the person was not under hospice care, the police will have to be notified immediately. The police will be dispatched to the home and place the call to the coroner/medical examiner. From there, the coroner/medical examiner will take the body and determine whether further action is necessary. The coroner/medical examiner must release the body before a funeral home can do anything. If the person was under hospice care, contact the hospice representative if they were not present and they will notify family members what the proper procedures are to follow.

When a death occurs at a hospital/nursing home/hospice facility

The staff of a care facility such as a hospital or a nursing home will notify you and the necessary authorities immediately after a death has occurred. If CremationCare contact information has been provided to the hospital or nursing home, they will be notified at the time of death. If you are present at the hospital when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions about the deceased's wishes. You can make arrangements with CremationCare via our website, by phone, or set up a time to come into the funeral home.

Calling CremationCare

Once everything has been cleared with the proper authorities, the next call you place should be to The CremationCare Centre (416-255-0035). We are here to help:

1. Coordinate with the hospital/coroner.

2. Register the passing with the government.

3. Take the deceased into our care.

4. Transport the deceased to the crematorium

5. Provide you with Proof of Death Certificates.

We will advise you and will work hard to relieve the stress and logistics involved in funeral planning.


Making Arrangements

First, the CremationCare representative will gather information required to register the passing. This includes:

  • Full Name and Address
  • Marital Status
  • Date and City of Birth
  • Father’s Name, Mother’s Name (including maiden name)
  • Name of Spouse (if married or widowed)
  • Occupation and Employer
  • Last Will (if available)

If no pre-planning has been done, necessary arrangements need to be made for the cremation service. These may include:

  • Selecting a cremation type
  • Choosing cremation products
  • Arranging a cemetery plot (if desired)
  • Preparing an obituary notice

A funeral director will guide you through all these steps to insure you receive the service you want.