Start here
Everything in your toolkit lives on this page. Bookmark it, and come back whenever you need it.
There's no order you have to follow. Go wherever you are right now.
Where are you right now?
My parent is still alive and receiving care
What to put in place now, caregiving leave, the conversations you don't want to miss, and what to do when the death happens.
The first two weeks
The first 72 hours, the funeral, death certificates, and telling people.
Weeks 2 to 12
The funeral is over and the paperwork has arrived: benefits, probate, cancelling ID, going back to work.
Months 3 to 12
The final tax return, the family home and belongings, and the first holidays and birthdays.
The first anniversary
Planning the day on your own terms, and closing out the estate.
Where did your parent live?
Some steps depend on the province, such as registering the death, probate, health cards and leave from work. Your province's page has them all in one place, organized by stage.
A few things to know
- I'll email you as each stage comes up over the year, so you don't need to remember any of this.
- The information on these pages was checked in October 2026 and is updated here first.
- Have a question that isn't answered here? Reply to any of my emails.
This toolkit is general information and grief education, not legal, financial, medical or mental health advice. If you're in crisis or thinking about not wanting to be here, call or text 9-8-8 any time.