Preparing for the Death of a Loved One

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Helen H. Low Q.C. and Nicco Bautista in December 2016.

The anticipated death of a loved one is a difficult time. Here are some practical steps to help prepare everyone for what lies ahead.

The No CPR Form

Some people approaching the natural end of their lives or suffering from a life-limiting illness decide to not have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other emergency medical procedures provided if their heart or lungs stop. This decision can be recorded in a “No CPR Form”. This form is a medical order that says the person has had a conversation with a healthcare professional about CPR. It tells people such as first responders, paramedics and care providers not to start CPR on behalf of the person whether they are at home, in the community or in a care facility.

You can obtain a copy of the No CPR Form on the HealthLinkBC website at HealthlinkBC or from a healthcare professional’s office. For the No CPR Form to be valid, it must be signed by a consenting adult (either the person approaching end of life or their substitute decision maker), and their doctor or nurse practitioner.

Put the signed No CPR Form on the fridge at home so it can be easily seen. When away from home, carry the form so it’s available should it be needed.

Making arrangements with a funeral home

Making arrangements in advance with a funeral home helps loved ones deal with the body and arrange the funeral after death.

Once a funeral home is selected, a “Notification of Expected Home Death” form can be completed. This form authorizes the funeral home to remove the body from the home without “pronouncement of death” by a healthcare professional. For more details, see the section “Pronouncement of death”. The notification form can be found at www.gov.bc.ca/expectedhomedeath. It is completed by the doctor of the person approaching end of life and sent to the funeral home before the death.

Organ and tissue donation

Organ donations can help save the lives of others. A person approaching end of life, if they haven’t already done so, can register as a donor with the BC Organ Donor Registry administered by BC Transplant. You can choose what organs and tissues to offer for donation. Or you can choose to donate any organs that are needed. You can also choose to donate for transplant, for research, or for educational purposes.

You don’t have to be perfectly healthy to donate an organ. It’s the health of a certain organ that matters. Talk with your doctor or contact BC Transplant at www.transplant.bc.ca if you have questions.

Image via www.istockphoto.com

Preparing a written plan

If the person approaching end of life makes a short written plan, it helps family, friends and others respect their wishes and know what to do at the time of death.

The written plan should include:

• Medical contacts: How the family doctor or nurse practitioner can be reached, and who to contact if they are unavailable or cannot be reached.
• Pronouncing death: Who will pronounce death, if pronouncement is planned.
• Emotional support: Who should be called for emotional support.
• Funeral home: Which funeral home will be called to transport the body.

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In law, (1) a judge's conclusions after hearing argument and considering the evidence presented at a trial or an application, (2) a judgment, or (3) the judge's reasons. A judge's written or oral decision will include the judge's conclusions about the relief or remedies claimed as well as their findings of fact and conclusions of law. A written decision is called the judge’s "reasons for judgment." See "common law," "conclusions of law" and "findings of fact."

A mandatory direction of the court that is binding and enforceable upon the parties to a court proceeding. An "interim order" is a temporary order made following the hearing of an interim application. A "final order" is a permanent order, made following the trial of the court proceeding or the parties' settlement, following which the only recourse open to a dissatisfied party is to appeal. Failing to abide by the terms of an order may constitute contempt of court. See "appeal," "consent order," "contempt of court," "decision" and "declaration."

In family law, this usually refers to one party obtaining a part of any property at issue before the property has been finally divided by court order or the parties' agreement, usually in order to help pay for that person's legal fees.

Under the Family Law Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a guardian of a child, including a parent who is not a guardian, has with that child. Under the Divorce Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a married spouse has with a child. See "guardian" and "parental responsibilities."

A person who gives a gift or bequest to someone, freely and without expectation of payment in return.