What to do when someone dies
Notify of a death
Who to contact to inform of a death and how to cancel an individual's benefits. Money received following death may need to be returned.
Spotlight on
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
When a death occurs in a Canadian province, the provincial vital statistics agency automatically notifies the SIN Program, therefore you do not have to do so.
If the death occurs in a territory or outside Canada, you must inform the SIN Program. To report a death, provide the deceased's SIN and proof of death. This may include a statement of death from the funeral director or a copy of the death certificate. Submit the documents by mail or in person to a Service Canada Centre.
Canada Revenue Agency
Contact CRA as soon as possible to avoid any repayment situations for benefits.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Old Age Security (OAS)
If the individual who died received CPP or OAS benefits, these will need to be cancelled as soon as possible. Refer to Cancel Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) after a death.
Employment Insurance (EI)
If the individual who died received or was eligible to receive Employment Insurance, refer to EI Benefit.
First Nations, Métis, Inuit
If the individual who died was a member of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, refer to: How to report the death of a registered family member or friend.
Credit reporting agencies
Contact the 2 credit reporting agencies in Canada to notify them of the death:
This will help to avoid any fraudulent credit checks in the name of the deceased person.
Passport
If the individual who died had a passport and it is still valid, you should mail it to the following address:
Passport Program
Gatineau QC K1A 0G3
Canada
Include a copy of the death certificate and a letter telling us if we should destroy the cancelled passport or return it to you.
You don't need to return an expired passport. However, if you want us to securely destroy it, send a note and a copy of the death certificate along with the expired passport asking for its destruction.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Contact the Client Support Centre if the individual who died had applied for a permanent resident card, Canadian Citizenship, a Citizenship certificate, or a Citizenship for an adopted child.
National Student Loan Program
If the individual who died had a student loan, contact the National Student Loan Centre to have the Canada Student Loans forgiven.
Canada Post
Contact Canada Post to forward the mail of an individual who died at a new address.
Mental health support
If you need help working through grief, or just need someone to talk to, you can always call a help line.
Page details
- Date modified: