Canadian Obituaries
Funeral wishes and arrangements planner
Make your preferences easier to discuss with the people close to you. This planner records wishes and questions; it is not a funeral contract, a payment instruction or a legal appointment.
Make your preferences easier to discuss with the people close to you. This planner records wishes and questions; it is not a funeral contract, a payment instruction or a legal appointment.
Open the interactive planner ↓ · All guides and tools
Begin with a conversation
Consider what matters to you and who should know your wishes. Include cultural, spiritual or secular preferences only if you want to. It is fine to leave choices undecided. Discuss practical responsibilities with the relevant people rather than assuming a note in a planner gives someone legal authority.
Separate wishes from arrangements
Write preferences for a gathering, music, readings and remembrance separately from decisions that require a provider or authorized representative. Availability, legal requirements and costs may affect what is possible. Ask a licensed funeral professional to explain options for your circumstances, including any requirements related to disposition or transport.
Ask for clear written information
Request an itemized price list and a written explanation of what is included, optional and paid to third parties. Compare the same items across providers. If considering prearrangements, ask about the contract, cancellation, refunds, transfer options and how funds are handled. Do not record payment details or make a purchase through this worksheet.
Keep document locations easy to find
Record where existing arrangements and important instructions are kept, not the private contents of documents. Tell the appropriate person how to locate them. Keep passwords, identification numbers, banking details and access codes elsewhere. Review the planner when your wishes or circumstances change.
When a death has occurred
Use official provincial guidance and ask the appropriate provider or authority about the next steps for the situation. An expected death under an existing care plan can involve different arrangements from a sudden or unexpected death. This planner is not emergency guidance. Do not treat an obituary or notification checklist as a substitute for official registration or estate responsibilities.
Sources and scope
Original planning guidance. Source links checked November 3, 2026. Ontario-focused; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or professional.
Your interactive planner
Complete only what is useful. Print a blank copy or fill it in and print/save as PDF. No account is needed to print.
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Download blank checklist (PDF)
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