Life-event guide · Bereavement and estate
Bereavement and estate settlement guide
After a death, families and executors face urgent notifications, benefit claims, and estate paperwork. This guide organizes common federal and provincial steps in chronological order so you can focus on one task at a time.
You do not need to complete every step on day one. Use the province selector for probate and health coverage notes, then work through the phases below at a pace that fits your family.
Ontario highlights
- Estate Administration Tax is $0 on the first $50,000 and $15 per $1,000 above that.
- Cancel OHIP and notify ServiceOntario of the death.
- OSAP loans may be discharged on death; notify the National Student Loans Service Centre.
Phase 1: Immediate steps (days 1 to 14)
Secure identity records, stop benefit deposits, and notify core government programs before accounts continue paying.
Official notifications
Notify Service Canada to cancel the Social Insurance Number and update provincial health and driver records.
- Helps prevent identity theft on government accounts
- Requires an official certificate of death
- Documents you'll need
- Death certificate, SIN, provincial ID numbers
- Timeline
- Within the first two weeks
- Cost
- Usually no fee for core notifications
Stopping direct deposits
Tell the CRA to stop GST or HST credits, Canada Child Benefit, GIS, and other federal deposits paid to the deceased.
- Time-sensitive to avoid overpayment clawbacks
- CRA Form BDV1 or phone notification may apply
- Documents you'll need
- Death certificate, deceased SIN, executor contact
- Timeline
- As soon as possible after the death
- Cost
- No fee to notify CRA
Phase 2: Benefits and claims (month 1 to 3)
Apply for lump-sum death benefits, survivor pensions, and provincial funeral help when income is limited.
CPP death benefit
One-time lump sum (up to $2,500) when the deceased contributed to the Canada Pension Plan.
- Apply within 60 days when possible
- Paid to the estate or person who paid funeral costs
- Documents you'll need
- Death certificate, SIN, funeral receipts
- Timeline
- Apply within 60 days
- Cost
- No application fee
CPP survivor pension and children's benefit
Monthly support for a surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 18, or under 25 in full-time school.
- Amount depends on contributions and age
- Children's benefit may pay separately
- Documents you'll need
- Marriage or partnership proof, children's SINs
- Timeline
- Apply within 12 months when possible
- Cost
- No application fee
Provincial funeral and bereavement support
Low-income funeral assistance when a family cannot cover basic burial or cremation costs (for example Alberta funeral benefits or Ontario Works funeral costs).
- Income tests and receipts usually required
- Amounts vary by province and municipality
- Documents you'll need
- Funeral contract, income proof, death certificate
- Timeline
- Before or soon after funeral arrangements
- Cost
- May cover partial funeral costs
Phase 3: Estate and tax finalization (months 3 to 12)
Probate or estate administration, final tax filing, and clearance before major asset transfers.
Provincial probate navigation
Court filings, estate fees, and thresholds depend on the province or territory where the deceased lived.
- Small estates may qualify for simplified processes
- Use the province selector above for local fee notes
- Documents you'll need
- Will, asset list, death certificate
- Timeline
- Often months 3 to 12
- Cost
- Probate or administration fees vary
CRA final return and clearance certificate
File the deceased person's final T1 return and request Form TX19 clearance before distributing major estate assets.
- Executors may be personally liable without clearance
- Includes income from January 1 to date of death
- Documents you'll need
- T slips, RRSP or TFSA records, beneficiary designations
- Timeline
- Due by the later of usual filing date or 6 months after death
- Cost
- Tax owing depends on the estate