Toolkit
For Families and Loved Ones Navigating a Suicide Loss
Create emotional safety at home by inviting gentle conversations about school, listening without judgment, and validating that what is happening is not fair and not their fault.
Help your child name what is happening as bullying and stigma, not a reflection of their worth; gently correct shaming language about suicide and offer simple, honest wording like "my dad died by suicide" if they choose to share.
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Download the full toolkit (PDF)
Practical Matters
Dealing with Personal, Legal, and Financial Issues
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In the days and weeks following a suicide loss, it's common to feel unsure where to start. Everyday tasks and practical details can feel overwhelming while you are still in shock. Give yourself permission to move slowly and accept help from people you trust—family, friends, or community and grief professionals. Having someone accompany you to appointments or help with immediate arrangements can make these first steps more manageable. There is no timetable for coping with loss, and it's okay to take time before facing decisions that don't require immediate action.
If you're responsible for children, youth, or dependents, their needs may add another layer of concern. Young people especially need reassurance and support to make sense of what has happened. You don't have to do this alone—call on trusted family or friends to help be there for your children. Remember, specialized resources and grief guides for children and families can help, such as the
Supporting Children and Youth to Grieve After a Suicide Loss Toolkit.
Above all, take care of your own well-being. When paperwork, phone calls, or daily demands feel too heavy, ask others to step in and share the load. Focusing on small, manageable steps and caring for your mental health are essential parts of beginning to heal.
Gathering key documents
It can be helpful to collect important papers in one place, such as a folder or binder. These may include:
The will, if there is one
Life insurance policies
Bank and investment account statements
Pension and benefits information
Property titles or lease agreements
Vehicle registrations and insurance documents
Personal identification (health card, driver's licence, Social Insurance Number)
You do not need to organize everything perfectly right away. Gathering documents gradually can make later steps easier for you and for any professionals who assist you.
Legal Issues
Legal processes after a death can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially in the midst of grief. The information below offers a general overview for Saskatchewan; it is not legal advice.
For complex estates, jointly owned property, or blended families, speaking with a lawyer who knows Saskatchewan law is strongly recommended.
Legal and financial steps vary based on the individual's circumstances, their will (if any), and the type of property and debts involved. In Saskatchewan, tasks families often need to complete include registering the death, notifying key agencies, and handling the estate. These steps do not all need to happen at once; you can move through them gradually and ask for help when needed.
For more information, it may be helpful to read:
What should you do when someone dies?
Legalline.ca
Death registration and certificates
In Saskatchewan, the funeral home usually registers the death with the Vital Statistics office. Official death certificates are issued through eHealth Saskatchewan and are required for many legal and financial tasks, such as settling bank accounts, pension benefits, and insurance. These can be ordered online, by mail, or through a registry agent.
Notifying the government and other agencies
Once you have a death certificate, many families begin letting organizations know about the death over the following weeks and months. This may include:
Service Canada (for federal benefits such as Canada Pension Plan survivor or death benefits and Old Age Security)
Canada Revenue Agency (for tax matters)
Veterans Affairs Canada, if your loved one was a veteran or receiving benefits
Banks and credit unions
Pension plans and life insurance companies
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) for vehicle registration and insurance
Insurance companies
Employer
Other organizations where your loved one had memberships or accounts
Websites that may be helpful include:
Vital statistics and death certificates
eHealth Saskatchewan
After a Death: Who to Notify When Someone Dies
Government of Canada
What to do when someone dies
Government of Canada
Wills and estates
If there is a will
If your loved one left a will, it usually names an executor (sometimes called a personal representative). The executor is responsible for managing and settling the estate, which can include:
Locating the will and important documents
Applying to the court for probate if required
Paying valid debts and expenses from estate funds
Distributing the remaining assets according to the will
Being an executor can be a significant job, especially when you are grieving. It is okay for an executor to seek legal advice or practical help.
Tackling the legal and financial tasks can be overwhelming.
Remember, you can move at your own pace, ask trusted family or friends in your support circle to help with phone calls or paperwork, and reach out to legal or financial professionals when questions become too complex to manage on your own.
If there is no will ("intestate")
If the person did not leave a will, Saskatchewan law sets out who can apply to administer the estate and how property is distributed. A family member (such as a spouse, common-law partner, or adult child) may apply to the court to be appointed as the administrator. The provincial government website provides more details about what happens when there is no will and what steps an administrator may need to take.
Finding legal help
You do not have to navigate these questions alone. In Saskatchewan, here are some resources that can help you find legal information and assistance:
The Law Society of Saskatchewan
Offers tools to help you find a lawyer who works in wills and estates.
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan
and other community programs may provide free or low-cost legal help for people who qualify.
A brief conversation with a lawyer can sometimes prevent misunderstandings or costly problems later, especially for larger or more complicated estates.
Outstanding debts
In most cases, it is the estate—not individual family members—that is responsible for a person's debts. This means that debts are usually paid from the estate's assets before any distributions are made to heirs or beneficiaries. Survivors are not generally required to pay someone else's debts with their own money, unless they were co-signers or joint borrowers.
Creditors should be notified of the person's death. If there is uncertainty about which debts exist, the executor or administrator may publish a "Notice to Creditors" in a local newspaper to give creditors a chance to come forward. This can help protect the person handling the estate from future claims.
Saskatchewen.ca provides useful information on the requirements for handling creditors, debts and expenses:
Creditors, Debts and Expenses
saskatchewan.ca
Financial Issues
Government Benefits
As a survivor, you may be eligible for a survivor's pension, allowance, or CPP death benefit:
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit
A one-time, federally administered payment to the deceased's estate or eligible survivors (up to $2,500).
Survivor Benefits
Spouses/common-law partners, and sometimes dependent children, may be eligible for CPP Survivor's Pension or Allowance.
Other benefits
Check for private life insurance, private pension plans, work-based pensions, or group plans through the deceased's employer.
Bank Accounts and Property
Banking
Notify banks and financial institutions. Accounts may be frozen and require documentation to transfer funds to the estate.
Read More: What to Do After a Death Pamphlet
Property and personal items
Only the executor or estate administrator should access these until legal matters are settled.
Final Taxes
A final tax return (also called a "terminal return") must be filed for the deceased. Contact the Canada Revenue Agency for deadlines and advice.
Read More: What to Do After a Death Pamphlet
Key Reminders
Take breaks, get help, and don't rush legal or financial steps.
You do not have to have all the answers or do everything yourself.
There is specific support in Saskatchewan—use it and recommend it to others who may not know it's there.
