Death in Quebec: the steps in order

The steps, in order

1. 01

   The attestation of death

   A doctor certifies the death and completes the attestation of death, one of the two documents required to enter the death in the civil register.

2. 02

   Choose a funeral home

   It takes charge of the body, organises the funeral and completes the declaration of death with the person declaring the death.

3. 03

   The declaration of death

   Completed jointly by the declarant and the funeral home, on paper or online, then sent to the Directeur de l'état civil, who enters the death in the register.

4. 04

   Request the death certificate

   The Directeur de l'état civil issues it once the death is entered in the register, online or at a Services Québec office. It proves the death for the estate, the banks and benefits.

5. 05

   Apply for the death benefit

   If the deceased had contributed enough to the Québec Pension Plan, Retraite Québec pays up to $2,500. For the 60 days after the death, priority goes to the person who paid for the funeral, with proof of payment; after that, to whoever applies first among the heirs and the liquidator, up to five years after the death. It is taxable, as income of the estate.

6. 06

   Surviving spouse's and orphan's pensions

   For a death in Quebec, the civil registry informs Retraite Québec. The surviving spouse may be entitled to a pension, and each minor child to an orphan's pension, if the deceased had contributed enough: the application still has to be made. There is no deadline, but back payments are generally limited to twelve months.

7. 07

   Inform Service Canada

   If the deceased received the Old Age Security pension or the Canada Child Benefit, or held a passport, Service Canada must be informed. If they contributed to the Canada Pension Plan while working outside Quebec, benefits may also be claimed there.

8. 08

   The liquidator of the estate

   Appointed by the will or, failing that, by the heirs, they settle the deceased's assets and debts. The Quebec government publishes the list of the steps that fall to them.

9. 09

   The deceased's tax returns

   The liquidator files the returns for the year of death, in Quebec (TP-1) and federally (T1). For a death between January 1 and October 31, they are due on April 30 of the following year; between November 1 and December 31, six months after the death. The dates differ if the deceased ran a business.

Frequently asked questions

Read also

• Death in the United Kingdom: the steps in England and WalesWhat to do after a death in England or Wales: the medical certificate, registering at the Register Office within five days, the Tell Us Once service and probate.
• The first 48 hours after a deathWhat to do in the first two days after a death, at home or in hospital: the doctor, the declaration, the funeral home, the deceased's wishes and the deadline for the funeral.
• Announcing a death: to whom, how, and what to writeIn what order to inform family, friends and the employer, message templates to announce a death, and what a death notice contains.