Dealing with Death
We have gathered information and resources to help you with the many details that must be seen to when someone dies-from what to do first, to applying online for a death certificate, to preparing tax returns for deceased persons.
- What Do I Do Now? - A Resource Guide for Persons Who Have Experienced the Death of a Loved One
- Grieving - If someone close to you has just died, we hope this pamphlet will help you understand that you are not alone in your feelings and that help is available. If you have a grieving friend or relative, this pamphlet will help both of you understand and cope with this difficult time.
- Funerals - Most people avoid thinking about funerals until faced with the death of a loved one. When you wait until this time of stress and grief, it can be hard to make the necessary decisions. This Web page gives information to help you make those decisions.
- Should your arrangements also include burial or cremation the cemetery or crematorium you choose can help you make the necessary arrangements.
Quick Links
- How to Obtain a Short Form or Long Form Death Certificate
- Nova Scotia Death Certificate Application Form (PDF)
- Online Nova Scotia Death Certificate Request - You may use this service to apply for a Nova Scotia death certificate and pay the required fees using a credit card.
- Self-Help Information Guides - Probate Court
- And They Lived Happily Ever After, Rights and Responsibilities of Common Law Partners
- Dial-a-law Nova Scotia - Information on Making, Probating an Estate, Living Wills and Advance Directives - Press #7 for Wills and Estate Law - Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS)
- Publications on Managing Your Affairs and Wills and Estate Law - Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
With a Will
You will want to find out if the person left a will. The will may be with their lawyer, stored at their workplace, in their safety deposit box, or at their home. Once the will is located it may or may not go to probate in the courts to decide on its legality. The executor/executrix of the estate carries out the wishes contained in the will.
- Self-Help Information Guides - Probate Court
- Dial-a-law Nova Scotia - Information on Making, Probating an Estate, Living Wills and Advance Directives - Press #7 for Wills and Estate Law - Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS)
- Publications on Managing Your Affairs and Wills and Estate Law - Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia
Probate Court Website
Without a Will
If the person dies without a will (intestate), the estate will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act. You may want to contact a lawyer.
- Tips for Self Represented Litigants - Probate Court
- Dial-a-law Nova Scotia - Information on Making, Probating an Estate, Living Wills and Advance Directives - Press #7 for Wills and Estate Law - Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS)
- Publications on Managing Your Affairs and Wills and Estate Law - Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
- Where to Get Legal Information in Nova Scotia and How to Find a Lawyer
- Nova Scotia Probate Court Website
- Probate Court Practice, Procedure and Forms Regulations
Death Out of Country
If the person dies in another country, contact the Canadian Consulate Office of that country for instructions on how to proceed.
Death Certificate
The funeral director may issue copies of a Statement of Death (proof of death) that you can use in certain situations. There are some organizations, however, that may require an official Death Certificate issued by the Nova Scotia Vital Statistics Office.
- How to Obtain a Short Form or Long Form Death Certificate
- Nova Scotia Death Certificate Application Form (PDF)
-
Online Nova Scotia Death Certificate Request - You may use this service to apply for a Nova Scotia death certificate and pay the required fees using a credit card.
Compensations, Pensions and Benefits
The executor/executrix should contact former employers of the deceased for company pensions. The executor/executrix should also contact the following applicable offices to either find out eligibility for or to cancel benefits:
- Life insurance companies
- Old Age Security Program and Additional Information for Survivors
- Canada Pension Plan and Additional Information for Survivors
- International Benefits
- Quebec Pension Plan
- Veterans Affairs Disability Program Benefits
- Veterans Affairs Funeral, Burial and Gravemarking Assistance
- Nova Scotia Disability Support Program
- Workers Compensation Board
- National Defence Guide to Death and Disability Benefits
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit
- Canada
Child Tax Benefits (CCTB)
Income Tax
The executor/executrix must still complete an income tax form for the deceased:
- Guides and forms for completing a tax return for a deceased person
- More information available from the Canada Revenue Agency site
You can find an accountant by looking in the yellow pages of your local phone book or by contacting one of the following associations
- The Institute
of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia - Search online by name or
geographic location
- Certified General Accountants Association
of Nova Scotia
Banks, Financial Institutions, and Credit Cards
The executor/executrix should contact the person's banks and financial institutions:
Maintenance Enforcement
The executor/executrix should contact the Department of Justice.
Government Cards/Registries
The executor/executrix should contact the government offices that apply:
- Canadian citizenship
- Canadian passport
- Driver's licence
- Firearms licences
- Foreign passports
- Indian Status
- Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
- Social Insurance Number
- Immigration Record of Landing
Information about your Nova Scotia Health Card:
Information about your Nova Scotia Birth Certificate:
Vehicles
The executor/executrix may need to look into the following:
- Automobile insurance companies
- Canadian Automobile Association
- Vehicle ownership
- Accessible Parking Zone: Permit or Plates
Property
The executor/executrix may need to look into the following:
- Home insurance
- Real estate and property title deeds, for information on property taxes, please contact the municipal office
- Mail to be redirected or held by your local Post Office
- Utility company, cable company, telephone company, electric company within your municipality for any name changes or cancellations
- The New Land Registration System - Changing Information in the Parcel Register
Clubs, Organizations, Services, and Professional Associations
The following may need to be contacted:
- Frequent travelers/buyers cards
- Places where the deceased volunteered
- Professional organizations where the deceased was a member
- Post-secondary institutions where the deceased was an alumnus
- Caregivers or other health service organizations