What to do when someone dies in Toronto
Losing someone is overwhelming, and knowing where to begin is hard. This guide walks you through the immediate steps to take in Toronto, Ontario, and connects you with trusted local support.
Get a Medical Certificate of Death
If the passing occurred at home, call 911 or the attending physician. If at a hospital or care facility, the staff will assist in providing this necessary document.
Contact a Funeral Home
Use this directory to find a trusted funeral home nearby. They will arrange the transfer of your loved one and help guide you through the next legal and ceremonial steps.
Notify Close Family and Friends
Reach out to immediate family members and close friends. You may want to ask a trusted friend to help make these calls to ease your burden.
Locate Important Documents
Look for a Will, pre-arranged funeral plans, life insurance policies, and identification documents (SIN, birth certificate) which will be needed in the coming days.
Registering the death in Ontario
In Toronto, the funeral director files the Statement of Death and the Medical Certificate of Death with the local municipality; you then register and order death certificates through ServiceOntario.
In Ontario, funeral homes, cemeteries and crematoriums are licensed and overseen by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). You can verify any Toronto provider’s licence — or raise a concern — through the BAO.
Funeral homes in Toronto
Cardinal Funeral Homes
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Annette Street
Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do when someone dies in Ontario?
Get a legal pronouncement of death. If the person was in hospital or hospice care, staff handle it; if they died at home unexpectedly, call 911. A medical professional must formally confirm the death before any arrangements can begin.
How do I register a death in Ontario?
In Ontario, the funeral director files the Statement of Death and Medical Certificate of Death with the local municipality; you then register and order certificates through ServiceOntario.
Do I need a funeral home to register the death?
In most of Canada the funeral provider files the death registration with Vital Statistics on your behalf as part of making arrangements. You then order death certificates, which you'll need to settle the estate.
How many death certificates will I need?
Most families order several certified copies — banks, insurers, CPP, land titles, and pension offices may each require one. Ordering 5–10 copies up front is common.
Last reviewed June 2026 · Information only, not legal advice.