When a Death Occurs

Losing a loved one is never easy. Knowing the first steps to take can help ease the uncertainty of a very difficult time. The process can look different depending on where the passing occurs — at home, in a care facility, or away from home. Acting promptly and following the right steps helps ensure your loved one is cared for with dignity from the very start.


Our team at Cariboo-Chilcotin Funeral Service is here to guide you through every step with compassion. We honour cultural, religious, and First Nation customs, respect personal and family wishes, and listen when you need to talk. Our goal is to ease the burden so you can focus on being together and honouring your loved one's life. At-need transportation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from both our 100 Mile House and Williams Lake offices.


When a Death Occurs at Home

If the death is unexpected, call 911 right away. Let the dispatcher know about any advance care directives, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, or a No CPR form if one is in place. Paramedics and police will attend, and a coroner may be involved depending on the circumstances.


If the death was expected and palliative or home care was already in place, contact the care team or hospice agency first — they can pronounce the death and guide you through the next steps. Once that's done, contact the Cariboo-Chilcotin Funeral Service office nearest you to arrange transportation into our care. Until the care team or authorities arrive, please do not move your loved one or change anything in the home.

When a Death Occurs in a Hospital or Long-Term Care Facility

Hospital or care facility staff will contact the attending physician to confirm the death and complete the Medical Certificate of Death. Once this paperwork is underway, you can call our 100 Mile House or Williams Lake office to arrange transportation and begin planning services. If prearrangements exist, share them with facility staff so your loved one's wishes are honoured.


When a Death Occurs Away From Home

If your loved one passes away while travelling within Canada, contact local emergency services or the hospital where they are located. Once the death has been confirmed and any required paperwork is started, call us — we will coordinate with a local funeral provider to bring your loved one back into our care here in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Transportation between provinces is something we handle regularly, and we will guide you through each step.


If the death occurs outside of Canada, contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate as soon as possible. They can help with local authorities, documentation, and repatriation. Reach out to us as well — we will work alongside the consulate and an international transport provider to bring your loved one home. Please keep your loved one's passport and travel insurance information on hand, as both will be needed.