UPON A DEATH OF A MEMBER

What To Do At The Time Of Death

When a family member dies, most people are overwhelmed and uncertain as to how to proceed. What has to be done? Right now? Later?

The first and most important action following the death of a family member is to call the MSBC office. We will help you with this seemingly difficult task.

  1. Contact MSBC at 1-888-816-5902 (toll free in Canada) and provide the name of the deceased. Ask if an arrangement form is on file and if there a pre-paid plan.
  2. MSBC office will provide you with the phone number of the contracted funeral provider in your area and the current member cost for basic services.
  3. Call the funeral provider at the telephone number provided by MSBC. Identify the deceased and state that he or she is a member of the Memorial Society of BC. Describe the member’s wishes as recorded on the arrangement form and confirm the cost.
  4. The funeral provider will ask for the location of the body of the deceased and will advise you of the next steps for transport to their sheltering facility.
  5. Our office will confirm with the contracted funeral provider that the deceased is a Society member, thereby ensuring the negotiated reduced pricing for MSBC members.

What To Do After Hours

  1. Call the MSBC at 1-888-816-5902. Your call will reach our answering service. Advise them of the death of Memorial Society member and ask for the name and phone number of the Society’s contracted funeral provider in your area.
  2. Contact the funeral provider. You may have to leave your name and phone number with a message for an urgent callback. Once you have made contact, identify the deceased and state that he or she was a member of the Society. Describe your wishes and confirm the cost.
  3. The funeral provider will ask for the location of the deceased family member and will advise you of the next steps.

Other Topics Requiring Your Attention

Once the immediate needs have been addressed, there will still be many steps to follow. The funeral provider will need several pieces of information to meet its obligations and provide its services, including the issuance of a death certificate.

It is important that you locate and secure (as many as appropriate) the following documents:

  • Designation Form (MSBC Arrangement Form)
  • Canadian/Foreign Passport
  • Birth, Marriage, Dissolution of Marriage Certificates
  • Citizenship Papers/Aboriginal Peoples´ Status
  • Estate Will and Living Will
  • Pre-Nuptial Agreement
  • Social Insurance Number and BC Health Card
  • Bank Records (deposit book and several months´ statements)
  • Credit Cards, Loan Record
  • Life, Mortgage, Auto and Property Insurance Policies
  • Military Discharge Papers
  • Real Estate Deeds
  • Stock/Bond/RRSP Certificates
  • Safety Deposit Box – ensure 2nd party access from the bank
  • Income Tax Returns dating back at least 7 years
  • Automobile Registration
  • Documents of Authenticity – jewelry, art and other collections
  • Cemetery Arrangement Form
upon a death