What You’ll Find Here
This page offers a curated set of tools and resources to support your end-of-life planning journey. Whether you’re just getting started or revisiting your plans over time, you’ll find information, templates, and links to help you reflect, document, and prepare.
Jump directly to the section that meets your needs:
Canada-Wide Guidance – General information on wills, estate planning, financial considerations, and digital legacy planning.
Province-Specific Resources – Advance directives, power of attorney forms, and estate planning laws tailored to your region, as well as information on regulations for burial, cremation, green burials, body disposition rights, and available financial assistance.
Equitable & Culturally Sensitive Deathcare – Resources tailored for LGBTQ+ individuals, Indigenous communities, and those with specific religious or cultural practices, ensuring your end-of-life wishes are understood and respected.
Extra Templates from the Workbook – These templates were developed to be used alongside the End-of-Life Planning Workbook. They’re available here in printable form for workbook users who want to revisit or update their documents. Others are welcome to explore, though these tools were created as part of a guided process and may be most helpful with the context and reflection prompts provided in the workbook. The workbook will soon be available for purchase.
Canada-Wide Resources
While laws around estate planning, healthcare directives, and funeral practices vary by province, the following general resources apply across all of Canada.
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Executor Responsibilities: Estate Administrator/Executor Checklist
Online Will Services:
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Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Guide to Taxes After Death
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What to do when someone dies: Federal benefits and programs
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)Death Benefit & Survivor’s Pension
Old Age Security (OAS) & Survivor Benefits
Veterans
Canadian Armed Forces: Survivor Benefit Entitlements
Last Post Fund: provides assistance with funeral funding for eligible applicants
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General Overview
Digital Asset Planning
Password Management
Managing Social Media Accounts After Death
Cloud Storage and Digital Subscriptions
Cryptocurrency and Digital Finance
Resources for Guidance
Tools and Services
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Government of Alberta Death Information and Resources
Advance Care Planning (see also here)
Funeral Planning; see also here (includes deathcare options)
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Anticipation of Death: Govnt of Quebec Website
Incapacity Planning and Mandataries
Responsibilities of Mandataries
Pre-Arranged Funerals; see also here
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Province-Specific Resources for Advance Care Planning, Deathcare, and Funeral Planning
Each province and territory has its own laws regarding wills, estate planning, power of attorney, advance care planning, and funeral regulations. Below, you'll find links to official resources for each region.
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For info on support for funeral costs: Contact your local department of community services
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Yukon
Advance Directive Template (includes proxy designation)
Funeral Directors Act (regulates funeral practices)
Overview of disposition methods and legality across provinces and territories
Income Assistance Program - Info on support available for funeral costs for eligible individuals who are ordinarily residents on reserve or Status First Nations living in the Yukon territory
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Extra Templates from the Workbook
End-of-life planning isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. As your life circumstances change, your values, priorities, and wishes may evolve. That’s why this section includes extra downloadable templates from the End-of-Life Planning Workbook, allowing you to revisit and refine your plans over time.
These tools are designed to be used within the structure of the workbook, where they’re paired with prompts, exercises, and context to guide reflection. If you're exploring them here, please note that they may be most helpful when used alongside the full workbook experience.
Whether you’re adjusting your care preferences, updating your legacy planning, or clarifying personal priorities, these templates provide a structured way to engage with these important topics. Taking time for ongoing reflection ensures that your plans remain up to date and truly reflect your evolving needs and priorities.
These materials are intended for individual use and reflection. If you're interested in using them in a professional, clinical, or organizational setting, please contact me to discuss collaboration or licensing.
Downloadable Templates:
Click on any template below to open it in a new tab. You can view, print, or download the files as needed.
Values & Fears Scales – A tool to assess and clarify your evolving thoughts on what you prioritize in end-of-life care, personal autonomy, and emotional well-being.
Legacy Map – A space to reflect on what you want to leave behind—whether in relationships, creative work, or personal impact. This can serve as a guide for letters, personal messages, or memorialization preferences.
Keepsakes Inventory – A structured way to document meaningful items, their significance, and your wishes for their care or distribution.
Advance Directive Supplementary Information Form – A place to document important personal details that may not fit into legal or medical forms but are still meaningful to your care and legacy.
Personal Admin Info Forms - Templates to capture key practical details like accounts, passwords, banking, and contacts:
Want the full guided experience?
Equitable and Culturally Sensitive End-of-Life Planning
End-of-life planning should honor your identity, culture, and values. Below are resources tailored to support marginalized communities—including LGBTQ+ individuals, Indigenous communities, and those with specific religious or cultural practices—so that you can make informed decisions and ensure your wishes are respected.
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Knowing your legal rights can help you navigate barriers in healthcare, funeral planning, and body disposition.
Home Funerals & Green Burial Rights
Legal Rights by Province (Funeral & Burial Laws, Body Disposition)
Funeral Law in Canada (Province-Specific Info)
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LGBTQ+ individuals may face unique barriers, including legal challenges with chosen family and bias in medical settings. The following resources help affirm your identity and ensure your wishes are upheld:
LGBTQ+ Advance Directives & Healthcare Planning
Queer-Inclusive Palliative & Hospice Care
My Choices for Safe and Inclusive Healthcare (workbook from virtualhospice.ca)
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Many Indigenous communities have unique traditions around death, grief, and burial, but these are not always recognized within mainstream deathcare systems.
Indigenous Cultural Approaches to End-of-Life Care
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Different faith traditions have specific customs around death, mourning, and burial. These resources provide guidance on ensuring your spiritual practices are honored.
Islamic Burial & End-of-Life Planning
Jewish End-of-Life & Mourning Traditions
Hindu & Sikh Funeral Rites
Christian & Catholic End-of-Life Planning
Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Need More Support?
If you’re unsure where to start, your workbook contains guided prompts to help you reflect on your values, traditions, and personal preferences. If you need further assistance, you may consider working with a death doula, an end-of-life consultant, or a legal professional specializing in advance care planning.
Looking for a culturally competent death doula or end-of-life planner?
Reach out to me at Rebecca@TheNightside.net for tailored support.
⚠ Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. Laws and regulations vary by province, and individual circumstances may require professional guidance. If you have specific concerns or complex estate planning needs, please consult a qualified lawyer, financial planner, or relevant professional.