For full directory of "How to" listings on different topics, see here

Death Reporting (not occurring in hospital)

For an unexpected death, call 9-1-1

• emergency personal will respond (Fire, EMS, Police)
• when a death happens outside of the hospital, it is deemed a Coroner's Case
• police will attend, investigate, and "secure" the scene until a Coroner arrives
• Coroner is responsible for determining the cause of death, which sometimes can be done at the scene, but in most cases will require a postmortem for further testing
• Police will call for transfer service to remove the deceased once Coroner releases the scene
• Coroner decides whether the deceased is taken to hospital for postmortem, or to chosen funeral home 

For an expected death, call 9-1-1, or if previous arrangements were made, call the attending physician (usually the Family Doctor)

• Doctor is responsible for pronouncing death
• once death has been pronounced, contact chosen funeral home
• transfer service will attend to remove the deceased and take to chosen funeral home 

After the death has been reported

• contact chosen funeral home, complete list of licensed providers can be searched for here
• funeral home will assist with paperwork and explain what else needs to be done
• if postmortem is done, once completed the Coroner/Medical Examiner will call the next of kin with preliminary results and to inform that the body is released
• funeral home will arrange to bring the deceased to their location

Office of the Chief Coroner

• 416-314-4000; After hours emergency 416-314-4100
• Investigates all unnatural, sudden and unexpected deaths 
• orders autopsies and holds inquests when required 
• signs cremation certificates 
• responsible for out of province shipment of bodies 
• reports include public safety recommendations 
• administers donations of bodies for medical education and research
• supervises and educates investigating coroner and pathologists in Ontario  
• for more information, see listing MET0866

Grief/Bereavement Resources

Bereavement Authority of Ontario

• 1-844-493-6356 
• regulates and supports licensed funeral establishments, cemetery operators, crematorium operators, transfer service operators, funeral directors, funeral preplanners, transfer service sales representatives, cemetery sales representatives, and crematorium sales representatives across Ontario
• A Guide to Death Care in Ontario
• see listing, MET0702

Lighthouse for Grieving Children and Families

• 905-337-2333, ages 3 and up
• offers free peer support groups for children and youth ages 3-19, and young adults ages 19-24, who are grieving the death of a parent or sibling
• see listing, OAK3505

Bereaved Families of Ontario, Halton-Peel

• 905-848-4337 ext 0, ages 6 and up
• bereavement supports and services including individual support and peer support groups
• see listing, PEL0655

Heartache2Hope

• 905-599-4673 (HOPE), ages 14 and up
• provides healing support to children, teens, and adults who have experienced a suicide loss
• 289-474-5508 (HOPELINE), Mon & Thu from 1 pm-4 pm, immediate suicide loss information and guidance
• see listing, MHH0450

Acclaim Health - Hospice and Bereavement Support

• 1-800-387-7127 
• supports individuals who are experiencing grief and loss through the death of a loved one
• see listing, MHH0370

For a full listing of bereavement support resources and counselling serving Halton, see here

Hours vary

Contact service provider for details

• the deceased is responsible for funeral service payments
• if previous arrangements were not made, the family can call the Region of Halton at 3-1-1 to apply for financial assistance