Thanatologist

As a thanatologist, funeral director, or an employee of a funeral home, your tasks include supporting your grieving clients and perhaps even assisting them in their steps with Retraite Québec.

An updated section to better guide you

Retraite Québec adapted its section entitled Death, to better deal with the current concerns of the deceased's family members. The information applies to both professionals in the funeral industry and citizens so that everyone can benefit from the same information to guide them in the event of death.

First steps to be taken in the event of death briefly shows the first steps to be taken in the event of death in Québec and outside Québec. This subdivision specifies the role of the physician and funeral home. In addition, it indicates in which cases it is important to notify Retraite Québec of a person's death.

Pensions and benefits for spouses, children and heirs contains a wealth of information on pensions and benefits paid under all the retirement programs and plans that are supervised or administered by Retraite Québec. There is even a tool to help create a personalized list of the pensions and benefits to which family members could be entitled based on their personal situation.

The liquidator of the estate shows the responsibilities of the person designated by the deceased to take on the role.

Death benefit and receipt for funeral expenses

The form entitled Reçu pour frais funéraires acquittés (Receipt for funeral expenses paid; French only) allows funeral homes to provide Retraite Québec with proof that the funeral expenses have been paid by the person who applied for the death benefit.

The death benefit is paid to the person or charity that paid the funeral expenses or to the heirs, if they file an application.

•  If an application and proof of payment are filed with us within 60 days of the death, priority is given to the person or charity that paid the funeral expenses.
• After 60 days, if no application has been filed with proof of payment, the death benefit can be paid to the deceased's heirs upon filing an application.

For more information on deadlines, accepted expenses and payment receipts, and to find out more on the special rules that apply if the payer has ties with the funeral home, consult the death benefit section.

How to send a receipt online

Here is how to send us a receipt online:

1. Download the form Reçu pour frais funéraires acquittés (Receipt for funeral expenses paid; French only) on your computer.
2. Open the file in PDF format and complete it onscreen.
3. Save the information in the form.
4. Access the Sending a document online service to send us the form.

Are your clients looking for a form or online service related to death?

Tell them to consult our new section entitled Death: online services and forms, which deals exclusively with services related to a death that occurred in Québec.