The loss of a loved one is a shattering ordeal that can leave those close to us distraught. At such a difficult time, it’s normal to feel confused and uncertain about the many steps that need to be taken. However, there are certain procedures that must be followed quickly to comply with legal obligations and organize the funeral with peace of mind.
At Urgel Bourgie / Athos, we understand how sad this time can be. Our mission is to accompany you with compassion and professionalism, to ease the burden of formalities and offer you personalized support.
Here’s a complete guide covering the necessary steps to take after the passing of a loved one. Here you’ll find useful tips and resources to help you navigate through the process.
Step 1: Contact Urgel Bourgie / Athos
When a death occurs, contact Urgel Bourgie / Athos directly to ensure your needs are taken care of immediately and to initiate the appropriate procedures.
If the death occurs at home, an official statement from a physician is required. The staff of the funeral complex chosen by the family can take charge of contacting a medical professional and obtaining the necessary documents. In the case of a death in a hospital or nursing home, the care facility will take care of this formality. However, you will have to inform the facility of the funeral company you have chosen to assist you.
A flexible and helpful team
The Urgel Bourgie / Athos team is available 24/7 to support you right from the start. We’re here to respond to your requests quickly and efficiently, just when you need us.
When you contact us, we’ll take care of you right away. A member of our team will redirect you to the funeral director who will guide you through the entire process.
We’ll make sure to arrange a meeting with you as quickly as possible, while adjusting to your availability and obligations. That way, you can choose the time that’s most convenient for you to meet with a member of our team.
At Urgel Bourgie / Athos, we respect your pace and adapt to your needs.
Useful tools:
• “Priority steps to take following a death” from the Government of Quebec.
• “What to do when someone dies” questionnaire from the Government of Canada.
Step 2: Meet with a funeral director
The first meeting with a funeral director is an opportunity to discuss the wishes of the deceased, if they have been expressed, and to make important decisions about the ceremony, the disposal options and the memorial tribute. During this meeting, the funeral director will accompany you with active listening and empathy.
During this approximately 2-hour meeting, the Urgel Bourgie / Athos funeral director will guide you through the various steps to follow and will take charge of many of the priority governmental procedures on your behalf. It is also during this meeting that you can review the deceased’s last wishes, if they have been expressed.
The funeral director will also explain the various funeral ritual and disposal options available to you, to help you select those that are best suited to your loved one and your family. They will guide you in your choices, based on your values, needs and budget.
What should you bring to your meeting with a funeral director?
Here are the documents and items you can bring to your meeting with a funeral director to speed up the process:
- Photographs for the obituary, bookmarks or thank-you cards.
- List of people to be mentioned in the obituary.
- Health insurance card, social insurance number and other civil status documents.
- The deceased’s clothing, underwear and socks.
- Glasses and dentures, if applicable.
- Cosmetics (lipstick, nail polish, etc.), if applicable.
- Jewelry, rosary or other personal items.
- Cemetery name and plot number, if applicable.
You don’t have all these items at hand? Don’t worry. The Urgel Bourgie / Athos team is here to help. Together, we can make sure we have what it takes to plan a tribute worthy of your loved one.
Step 3: Organizing funeral rituals
The funeral arrangements are based on several elements, including the choice between burial and cremation, the holding of a religious or secular ceremony, and the personalization of tributes. Urgel Bourgie / Athos offers a range of services adapted to the beliefs, customs and values of each person it accompanies.
Funeral rituals can be organized according to the deceased’s last wishes, funeral prearrangements or the family’s wishes. If your loved one left no specific instructions, our qualified team will be able to guide you towards the choices best suited to your situation.
Step 4: Seek grieving support
In the process following the death of a loved one, grieving support is just as important as the paperwork and ritual planning.
Grieving is an experience that everyone experiences differently. Even so, it’s important not to isolate yourself; it’s essential to be well supported and surrounded when you’re grieving. Participating in support groups or consulting a professional can help you navigate through grief with greater serenity.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos offers grieving support services, including three free sessions with a specialized psychotherapist. In addition, Réflexions du Cœur’s “Cœur à Cœur” program provides bereaved families with support tailored to their needs.
Step 5: Manage the deceased’s online presence
As social media become more and more a part of most people’s lives, you may find yourself managing your loved one’s various accounts and social pages after his or her death. In some cases, you could even turn these into memorial pages.
Here’s how to manage these accounts on the most popular platforms:
- Facebook and Instagram (owned by Meta): You can request to have the account deleted or turned into a memorial account.
- LinkedIn: As with Meta, you can have the account deleted or turned into a memorial account.
- Snapchat: You can send a request to have the account deleted.
- X (formerly Twitter): You can request that the account be deactivated.
- Google and YouTube (owned by Google): You can request that the account be closed.
- TikTok: You can send a request for the account to be deleted by providing some information.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos is there to support you
F When a loved one passes away, it’s essential to follow a few key steps to organize the funeral and begin the grieving process in the best possible conditions. Urgel Bourgie / Athos puts its expertise at your service to offer you a respectful and personalized support.
If you need assistance after the death of a loved one, contact us. One of our funeral directors will be available promptly, according to your needs and availability, to accompany you every step of the way.
FAQ (frequently asked questions)
What to do immediately after the death of a loved one?
When a death occurs, the first step is to contact our funeral home so that we can guide you through the steps to take. If the death occurred in a hospital or nursing home, the medical staff will be able to help you with this first step.
What should I bring to my first meeting with a funeral director?
When you meet with the funeral director, it’s a good idea to bring certain documents and personal items of the deceased. This includes recent photographs for the obituary, health insurance card and social insurance number for administrative purposes, and any clothing or accessories you would like the deceased to wear to the ceremony.
How do I organize a funeral ceremony in the Greater Montreal area?
The planning of a funeral ceremony depends on the wishes of the deceased, those of the family and the arrangements made beforehand. Urgel Bourgie / Athos can take complete charge of organizing a ceremony adapted to the beliefs, values and needs of everyone. Whether for burial or cremation, a funeral director will guide you every step of the way.
Can I close a deceased person’s social networking accounts?
Several platforms allow you to close an account or turn it into a memorial page. Contact each social networking platform to find out more.
Does Urgel Bourgie / Athos offer grieving support?
Yes, Urgel Bourgie / Athos offers a grieving support service to help families through this difficult time. This includes three free meetings with a professional psychotherapist or membership in the “Cœur à Cœur” program of Réflexions du Cœur.