When someone is approaching end of life, it can be hard to know where to start. A simple checklist can reduce mental load, help prevent missed steps, and make the next decisions clearer for the person involved and for the people supporting them. In Canada, this preparation often includes care wishes, legal documents, financial planning, funeral planning, insurance, and possible public benefits.
This guide is meant to be practical and easy to use. It does not replace legal, medical, or tax advice. Rules for wills, powers of attorney, substitute decision makers, and estates vary by province and territory, so it is important to check local requirements before signing or relying on a document.
At a glance
- Make or update a will and choose an executor who is organized and trusted
- Put care wishes in writing and share them with the right people
- Remember that a power of attorney for finances only applies while the person is alive
- Gather the key documents and make sure someone can find them
- Review insurance, public benefits, and caregiver supports
- Record funeral wishes clearly and keep them somewhere easy to locate
The simple checklist
This checklist works best one step at a time.
1. Clarify care wishes
Advance care planning is a way to reflect on values and wishes, and to let others know what kind of health and personal care a person would want in the future if they are unable to speak for themselves. Health Canada says these wishes can be recorded in a written advance care plan, and that updated copies should be signed, dated, and shared with health care providers and the substitute decision maker.
Checklist:
- [ ] Talk through what matters most
- [ ] Write down care wishes
- [ ] Sign and date the document
- [ ] Share a copy with the substitute decision maker
- [ ] Share a copy with the care team
- [ ] Check the rules and forms for the province or territory
2. Choose the right person to help make decisions
Health Canada notes that a substitute decision maker only steps in if the person is not capable of making their own decision. The title for this role is not the same everywhere in Canada. Depending on the province or territory, it may be called a medical proxy, health representative, agent, or power of attorney for personal care.
Checklist:
- [ ] Choose a trusted person for health care decisions
- [ ] Check the name of the role used in the province or territory
- [ ] Make sure this person understands the care wishes
- [ ] Keep a copy of the signed document somewhere accessible
3. Put the financial documents in place
Canada.ca says that while a person is alive, a power of attorney can authorize someone else to manage money and property on their behalf if needed. It also makes clear that the authority of a power of attorney ends upon death. This is an important distinction because a power of attorney does not replace a will and does not continue into estate administration.
Checklist:
- [ ] Confirm whether a power of attorney for finances exists
- [ ] Review whether it still reflects the person’s wishes
- [ ] Check that it meets the legal requirements of the province or territory
- [ ] Store a copy where it can be found when needed
4. Make or update the will
Canada.ca says a will is the easiest and most effective way to tell others how property should be distributed after death. It also notes that without a will, survivors may face delays and may need additional legal steps to deal with the estate. The federal guidance also recommends choosing an executor who is organized, responsible, and capable of handling financial matters.
Checklist:
- [ ] Check whether a will already exists
- [ ] Update it if the family or financial situation has changed
- [ ] Confirm who will act as executor
- [ ] Make sure someone knows where the original is stored
- [ ] Check provincial or territorial requirements for validity
5. Gather the key documents
A simple document folder can make everything easier later. The federal end-of-life planning page encourages people to organize their affairs and leave information or instructions for survivors and the estate representative.
A basic folder might include:
- [ ] Health card
- [ ] Government-issued ID
- [ ] Social Insurance Number
- [ ] Will
- [ ] Power of attorney for finances
- [ ] Advance care plan
- [ ] Executor contact details
- [ ] Substitute decision maker contact details
- [ ] Insurance information
- [ ] Banking information
- [ ] A list of important accounts and subscriptions
- [ ] Funeral wishes, if they have been recorded
6. Review insurance and possible benefits
Canada.ca recommends reviewing what an insurance policy does and does not cover. The federal end-of-life planning page also advises becoming familiar with benefits that the estate or survivors may be eligible for, including the Canada Pension Plan death benefit, survivor’s pension, and benefits for children under 25, along with Quebec Pension Plan benefits where relevant.
Checklist:
- [ ] Gather all insurance policies
- [ ] Check beneficiary information where applicable
- [ ] Write down policy numbers and contact details
- [ ] Note whether the person contributed to CPP or QPP
- [ ] List any survivor or estate benefits that may need a later application
7. Check caregiver support
If someone needs time away from work to provide care or support, Employment Insurance may offer caregiving benefits. Canada.ca says caregivers do not need to live with the person they support, and they do not need to be related, as long as they are considered like family. The weeks of benefits can also be shared by eligible caregivers. Current federal guidance lists up to 35 weeks for children, up to 15 weeks for adults, and up to 26 weeks for compassionate care for someone needing end-of-life care.
Checklist:
- [ ] Check whether a caregiver may need leave from work
- [ ] Review which EI caregiving benefit may apply
- [ ] Check whether the benefit weeks will be shared
- [ ] Ask the health care team about the required medical form, if needed
8. Record funeral wishes
Federal guidance for older Canadians recommends talking with family about funeral wishes or clearly telling them where written instructions are kept. It also warns against pre-paying for a funeral without understanding whether the money can be recovered if there is a move, a change of mind, or the funeral home goes out of business. It also points families to provincial and territorial consumer affairs offices for information on pre-arrangements and funeral regulation.
Checklist:
- [ ] Note whether burial or cremation is preferred
- [ ] Note whether a ceremony is wanted
- [ ] Record whether there is a pre-arranged contract
- [ ] Tell family where the instructions are stored
- [ ] Review the terms carefully before pre-paying
9. Leave a short practical handoff
A short note can save a lot of time later. It can help to name the main contact person, list the most important professionals or organizations to call, and explain where essential documents are stored. This fits with Canada.ca’s advice to organize affairs and leave information for survivors and the estate representative.
Checklist:
- [ ] Name the main family contact
- [ ] List the first people or organizations to notify
- [ ] Note where the core documents are kept
- [ ] Write down any urgent household or bill information
- [ ] Keep the note somewhere easy to find
10. Remember the tax side
There is usually a tax step after death as well. CRA guidance says the legal representative may need to notify the CRA of the date of death, access the deceased person’s tax accounts, file returns, and in some cases apply for a clearance certificate before distributing assets.
Checklist:
- [ ] Note who will deal with the CRA
- [ ] Keep recent tax documents with the main file
- [ ] Record whether the person had business income or registered plans
- [ ] Flag that returns and estate tax steps may still follow after death
A shorter version of the checklist
For a shorter version, these are the core items to prepare:
- [ ] Care wishes in writing
- [ ] Substitute decision maker identified
- [ ] Power of attorney for finances in place
- [ ] Will updated
- [ ] Executor identified
- [ ] Key documents gathered
- [ ] Insurance reviewed
- [ ] Benefits checked
- [ ] Funeral wishes recorded
- [ ] Main family contact identified
Provincial and territorial considerations
Two areas vary significantly across Canada: advance care planning and estate law. Health Canada notes that every province and territory has its own legislation and practices for advance care planning or for naming a substitute decision maker. Canada.ca also notes that estate law, including wills and probate, falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
Does a power of attorney replace a will
No. A power of attorney applies while the person is alive and ends upon death. A will deals with what happens to property after death.
Do caregivers have to live with the person to qualify for EI caregiving benefits
No. Canada.ca says they do not have to live with the person, and they do not even have to be related, as long as they are considered like family.
Are advance care planning documents the same across Canada
No. The laws, terms, and forms differ between provinces and territories.
Should funeral wishes be written down somewhere easy to find
Yes. Federal guidance says written instructions may not help if family members do not know where to find them in time.
Sources
This article is based on current Government of Canada guidance on end-of-life planning, advance care planning, powers of attorney, wills and funeral planning, Employment Insurance caregiving benefits, estate administration, and CRA steps after a death.
