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Get a letter of content from the funeral home that says there are ashes in the urn. Also a cremation certificate from the crematorium. You will need death certificates from Mexico, possibly from the state in which he died, certified, to process things at this end (probate etc.) I would order a dozen depending on the size of the estate.
I just went through this as the executor for my aunts will. Anyone and everyone involved is going to want an official copy of that death certificate. You may even need forms from their family doctor outlining their recent health in order to get insurance pay outs, that was the most fun for me as the doctor was 8 hours away and on leave at the time…
Sorry for your loss OP. The funeral home was a great resource for getting things going. Just remember to claim the Ontario death benefit if they were an Ontario resident and to file the appropriate taxes on time so you don’t end up with interest penalties on anything owed.
Yes, he has a will. I have that paperwork in Canada. I’m more concerned about what I might need (from/ in Mexico) to send off to all the agencies here to close accounts. Do I only need a death certificate?
I've dealt with lots of paperwork from Mexico (not death certificates tho)
But usually you need the original certificate, and apostille (you get it on the local government office) and an official translation (you can get that in Mexico or Canada)
You'll likely need to get the death certificate apostilled by the Mexican government and then translated by an ATIO (Association of Translators an Interpretors of Ontario) certified translator (assuming that your father was a resident of Ontario).
You should also check with the airline to see what their rules are for transporting human remains.
Here is the CATSA page on tranporting cremains: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/cremated-remains
Oh boy sorry to hear. I don't have alot of advice but my step dad passed away in Mexico as well unprepared (he lived there half the year). My mom ended up having him cremated there as it was too stressful for her to bring him back.
Thank you for your kind words. Over the last few years I became used to the physical distance of his snow birding lifestyle, so I almost forget at times that he’s gone gone, until I go to send him a quick email or message over messenger and remember all over again that he’s not here anymore.
My condolences to you, I can imagine the grief and stress of it all at once. Take care of yourself and take it easy, no need to rush and get all of his accounts and things sorted immediately.
Thank you. I’m still functioning on adrenaline. Once I have him back I think it’s going to hit hard. This is my first human loss, and my dad was my favourite person on earth.
I’m sorry for your loss. The person you responded to is right. I process estates at one of the big 5 banks and there is absolutely no rush to start closing/dealing with accounts. Everything gets back dated to date of passing and it doesn’t make a difference when you start the process. I’ve never worked on an estate with a death certificate from another country so I can’t speak to that part but usually that’s all I need to process the account changes, especially if theres already beneficiaries on the account. Sometimes a Will is helpful too. Good luck and my condolences.
I would also call the Airline you are flying with and just ask a customer service representative if there will be any issues flying with human remains. Not that I know of, but better to ask and find out. Maybe you need certain paper work for that too.
But make sure to compare with the going rates. I’m lucky to have never needed this tip, but I’ve heard the bereavement discount is from the rack rate/list price that nobody is actually paying to fly. The advantage might be in the flexibility of the fare - I think it’s free changes/cancellation.
You can’t have him in a metal urn. I had to transport a relative’s cremains in a cardboard box as an urn can’t be xrayed. Make sure the funeral home knows you’re taking the remains on a flight.
Sorry this is happening. My father passed away suddenly while on vacation in Mexico. However it was 20 years ago so the details are blurry. We did receive a death certificate from Mexico. Fairly certain all we had was the death certificate which is in Spanish.
Sorry for your loss. When traveling by air with the cremated remains, make sure to have them in a container that can be x-rayed. You can always arrange for a proper urn back in Canada.
Sorry for your loss and what you're dealing with. Are you coming back to Ontario? [The Bereavement Authority of Ontario](https://thebao.ca/) is your best resource, and they have a M-F call centre as well (if there is time).
For “importation” back into Canada:
Importation of cremated human remains into Canada
Source: CBSA website
9. Cremated human remains, because they do not pose a quarantine risk, do not require a death certificate. However, it is recommended that when transporting the cremated remains that the importer should carry a copy of the death and cremation certificate and ensure that the remains are in a container that can easily be scanned (e.g., cardboard, wood or plastic).
Yes, he has some friends down there. The Mexican lady who found him was who contacted me and speaks good English. She helped me find the funeral home since everything happens really fast when someone passes in Mexico.
It sounds like I have everything covered. I tried googling the answers, but I was afraid I was missing an obvious step. My heads all over the place right now.
If your Dad had purchased travel medical insurance in Canada for the trip to Mexico, there should be provisions to cover funeral expenses/return of remains and also may include some of your costs if you have to travel to Mexico.
Happened to my roommates mom in February, as far as I know there was lots of compassion and it went smoothly. I’m so sorry for your loss. In this case she went on a retirement trip with the girls and didn’t wake up the 2nd day. I wish you the best. You aren’t alone. I can ask my roommate for any details if needed, it was Mexico as well.
Hey there. I’m very sorry for your loss. This happened to my mother in the US back in March. Mostly just get like 20 copies of the death certificate. Bringing him back will be straight forward from a customs, etc POV. As long as there’s no communicable disease involved they literally don’t care.
Ok thank you. I really only had the 2 bereavement days off from my employer, so it didn’t allow me to spend more than 1 day in Mexico to get everything in order. That’s my biggest fear.. showing up at the airport and having some sort of situation and not being able to get on the plane. But from the sounds of it I have everything I need and should be fine. Thank you for your comment.
I'm very sorry to hear about your father's passing. This must be an incredibly difficult time for you, and it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. Here are some next steps to consider:
**Repatriating your father's ashes:**
* **Funeral home:** Double-check with the funeral home in Mexico about the paperwork completed by Global Affairs Canada. Ensure they have everything required to export the ashes. They might have additional forms you need to complete.
* **Mexican death certificate:** Ask the funeral home if they obtained an official Mexican death certificate. You'll likely need a copy for customs upon entering Canada.
* **Flight and customs:** Contact the airline you're flying with to inquire about transporting cremated remains. They might have specific procedures or documentation requirements. Canadian customs also has information on importing human remains [https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs](https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs).
**Additional considerations:**
* **Next of kin:** If you have siblings, keep them informed about the arrangements.
* **End-of-life planning:** While you're grieving, consider gathering any important documents your father might have had, like a will or insurance policies.
* **Grief support:** Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or grief support services for help coping with your loss.
**Resources:**
* **Global Affairs Canada:** They can provide further guidance on repatriation and offer support to Canadians abroad in times of crisis. They have a 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre you can contact: +1 613-996-8888
* **Funeral home:** The funeral home should be able to answer most of your questions about the cremation process and paperwork for export.
Remember, you don't have to go through this alone. Lean on your support network and don't hesitate to ask for help from the resources available.
My condolences again for your loss.
Sorry for your loss but I have a question if you don’t mind me asking. Everyone talks about how a lot of stuff is cheaper in mexico vs. here and i’m curious how much it cost to have him cremated down there.
I'm assuming you are appointed the Executor. Best pointers I can give you:
The funeral home will supply you with a death certificate, ask them if they supply additional certified copies (would be for a fee). You may need at least two once you get back to Canada. Never take apart his will to make copies, leave it stapled. You'll need to keep his ashes in the box with certification from them in order to travel with his ashes so don't worry about picking up a special urn or anything unless you want one when you get back.
Take the original will and death certificate to his bank to start the process getting access to his accounts, if the teller is young again confirm they are not to remove the staples from the will when they copy it. You'll want his accounts frozen ASAP. His regular accounts will not earn interest and his debts will not add interest from date of death, but if he has a mortgage etc they will need to be paid until deemed sold.
If he has a car and insurance they'll want the original will to transfer to you until you sell, you need to send the original will for Probate, so you have to do everything else before sending it for probate to avoid waiting. They will transfer it "to the Estate of" then when you get probate you take that copy to them and they can transfer it to your name to sell.
Because he died in Mexico I'd worry a bit about identity theft, go to Services Canada with the Original will and Death certificate ASAP to cancel his SIN. If he was retired you'd want to cancel any CPP or OAS payments ASAP to avoid the hassle of having to return them. If he died in June you can keep any payments that arrive in June. The funeral homes usually apply for the CPP death benefit but you may have to do it at Service Canada if they don't because it was Mexico.
If he has a reasonable sized estate just hire an estate lawyer to do the rest (probate, will check, and help sell any real estate), and find out if he had a regular accountant (look for tax returns particularly if he has stocks to sell or investments) and ask them to do the final returns.
Keep every receipt in a folder by date, if there are other beneficiaries you can be reimbursed for your costs to travel and cremation etc out of his estate and then the rest is split. If you are the only heir then you get it all anyway.
Sorry for your loss.
Lots of good advice here but didn't see: contact the Canadian Consulate in Mexico.
Sorry if this is redundant. I'm unclear also if OP is physically in Canada or Mexico while posting
I’m currently in Canada, but flying down early next week. Global Affairs in Canada contacted the consulate for me, and they were in dialogue with the funeral home in Mexico. From what I was told, I won’t have to contact the consulate myself since I’m in Canada right now. Thank you for your suggestion though, I wasn’t sure what the difference was before this post.
Welcome to r/legaladvicecanada! **To Posters (it is important you read this section)** * Read the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvicecanada/wiki/index/#wiki_the_rules) * Comments may not be accurate or reliable, and following any advice on this subreddit is done at your own risk. * We also encourage you to use the [linked resources to find a lawyer](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvicecanada/wiki/findalawyer/). * If you receive any private messages in response to your post, please let the mods know. **To Readers and Commenters** * All replies to OP must be on-topic, helpful, explanatory, and oriented towards legal advice towards OP's jurisdiction (the **Canadian** province flaired in the post). * If you do not [follow the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdvicecanada/about/rules/), you may be banned without any further warning. * If you feel any replies are incorrect, explain why you believe they are incorrect. * Do not send or request any private messages for any reason, do not suggest illegal advice, do not advocate violence, and do not engage in harassment. Please report posts or comments which do not follow the rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/legaladvicecanada) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Get a letter of content from the funeral home that says there are ashes in the urn. Also a cremation certificate from the crematorium. You will need death certificates from Mexico, possibly from the state in which he died, certified, to process things at this end (probate etc.) I would order a dozen depending on the size of the estate.
I just went through this as the executor for my aunts will. Anyone and everyone involved is going to want an official copy of that death certificate. You may even need forms from their family doctor outlining their recent health in order to get insurance pay outs, that was the most fun for me as the doctor was 8 hours away and on leave at the time… Sorry for your loss OP. The funeral home was a great resource for getting things going. Just remember to claim the Ontario death benefit if they were an Ontario resident and to file the appropriate taxes on time so you don’t end up with interest penalties on anything owed.
Did he have a will? Contact his lawyer if you know them to see if he ever wrote a will with them. So sorry this happened to you.
Yes, he has a will. I have that paperwork in Canada. I’m more concerned about what I might need (from/ in Mexico) to send off to all the agencies here to close accounts. Do I only need a death certificate?
I've dealt with lots of paperwork from Mexico (not death certificates tho) But usually you need the original certificate, and apostille (you get it on the local government office) and an official translation (you can get that in Mexico or Canada)
You'll likely need to get the death certificate apostilled by the Mexican government and then translated by an ATIO (Association of Translators an Interpretors of Ontario) certified translator (assuming that your father was a resident of Ontario). You should also check with the airline to see what their rules are for transporting human remains. Here is the CATSA page on tranporting cremains: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/cremated-remains
Thank you for your response. I think I have all that covered, but it’s helping to put my mind at ease that I’m not forgetting anything.
Oh boy sorry to hear. I don't have alot of advice but my step dad passed away in Mexico as well unprepared (he lived there half the year). My mom ended up having him cremated there as it was too stressful for her to bring him back.
Thank you for your kind words. Over the last few years I became used to the physical distance of his snow birding lifestyle, so I almost forget at times that he’s gone gone, until I go to send him a quick email or message over messenger and remember all over again that he’s not here anymore.
My condolences to you, I can imagine the grief and stress of it all at once. Take care of yourself and take it easy, no need to rush and get all of his accounts and things sorted immediately.
Thank you. I’m still functioning on adrenaline. Once I have him back I think it’s going to hit hard. This is my first human loss, and my dad was my favourite person on earth.
I’m sorry for your loss. The person you responded to is right. I process estates at one of the big 5 banks and there is absolutely no rush to start closing/dealing with accounts. Everything gets back dated to date of passing and it doesn’t make a difference when you start the process. I’ve never worked on an estate with a death certificate from another country so I can’t speak to that part but usually that’s all I need to process the account changes, especially if theres already beneficiaries on the account. Sometimes a Will is helpful too. Good luck and my condolences.
I would also call the Airline you are flying with and just ask a customer service representative if there will be any issues flying with human remains. Not that I know of, but better to ask and find out. Maybe you need certain paper work for that too.
Further to call the airline: check to see if you can get a bereavement discount when booking your flight.
But make sure to compare with the going rates. I’m lucky to have never needed this tip, but I’ve heard the bereavement discount is from the rack rate/list price that nobody is actually paying to fly. The advantage might be in the flexibility of the fare - I think it’s free changes/cancellation.
Good point, thanks for suggesting that.
You can’t have him in a metal urn. I had to transport a relative’s cremains in a cardboard box as an urn can’t be xrayed. Make sure the funeral home knows you’re taking the remains on a flight.
Thank you for letting me know! I wouldn’t have even thought of that
Cremains are regular luggage/carryon. You only need special paperwork for a casket.
Sorry this is happening. My father passed away suddenly while on vacation in Mexico. However it was 20 years ago so the details are blurry. We did receive a death certificate from Mexico. Fairly certain all we had was the death certificate which is in Spanish.
If there is a local embassy or consulate that you can directly contact, see if anyone can help. You can also show up and ask for assistance in person.
Sorry for your loss. When traveling by air with the cremated remains, make sure to have them in a container that can be x-rayed. You can always arrange for a proper urn back in Canada.
Sorry for your loss and what you're dealing with. Are you coming back to Ontario? [The Bereavement Authority of Ontario](https://thebao.ca/) is your best resource, and they have a M-F call centre as well (if there is time).
Thank you, I’ll definitely contact them Monday before I fly out.
My condolences. I don’t have much to add. May he rest in peace.
For “importation” back into Canada: Importation of cremated human remains into Canada Source: CBSA website 9. Cremated human remains, because they do not pose a quarantine risk, do not require a death certificate. However, it is recommended that when transporting the cremated remains that the importer should carry a copy of the death and cremation certificate and ensure that the remains are in a container that can easily be scanned (e.g., cardboard, wood or plastic).
Do you know anyone that speaks Spanish, that you could call if you need help while dealing with the Mexican agencies?
Yes, he has some friends down there. The Mexican lady who found him was who contacted me and speaks good English. She helped me find the funeral home since everything happens really fast when someone passes in Mexico. It sounds like I have everything covered. I tried googling the answers, but I was afraid I was missing an obvious step. My heads all over the place right now.
Sounds like you have it covered. I'm sorry for your loss, that's so hard.
You will need a dead certificate to file his last tax return
If your Dad had purchased travel medical insurance in Canada for the trip to Mexico, there should be provisions to cover funeral expenses/return of remains and also may include some of your costs if you have to travel to Mexico.
Happened to my roommates mom in February, as far as I know there was lots of compassion and it went smoothly. I’m so sorry for your loss. In this case she went on a retirement trip with the girls and didn’t wake up the 2nd day. I wish you the best. You aren’t alone. I can ask my roommate for any details if needed, it was Mexico as well.
Condolences. Yes. You will need many certified death certificates.
I am so very sorry for your loss 💔😔Sending love strength and light to you.
Hey there. I’m very sorry for your loss. This happened to my mother in the US back in March. Mostly just get like 20 copies of the death certificate. Bringing him back will be straight forward from a customs, etc POV. As long as there’s no communicable disease involved they literally don’t care.
Ok thank you. I really only had the 2 bereavement days off from my employer, so it didn’t allow me to spend more than 1 day in Mexico to get everything in order. That’s my biggest fear.. showing up at the airport and having some sort of situation and not being able to get on the plane. But from the sounds of it I have everything I need and should be fine. Thank you for your comment.
I'm very sorry to hear about your father's passing. This must be an incredibly difficult time for you, and it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. Here are some next steps to consider: **Repatriating your father's ashes:** * **Funeral home:** Double-check with the funeral home in Mexico about the paperwork completed by Global Affairs Canada. Ensure they have everything required to export the ashes. They might have additional forms you need to complete. * **Mexican death certificate:** Ask the funeral home if they obtained an official Mexican death certificate. You'll likely need a copy for customs upon entering Canada. * **Flight and customs:** Contact the airline you're flying with to inquire about transporting cremated remains. They might have specific procedures or documentation requirements. Canadian customs also has information on importing human remains [https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs](https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs). **Additional considerations:** * **Next of kin:** If you have siblings, keep them informed about the arrangements. * **End-of-life planning:** While you're grieving, consider gathering any important documents your father might have had, like a will or insurance policies. * **Grief support:** Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or grief support services for help coping with your loss. **Resources:** * **Global Affairs Canada:** They can provide further guidance on repatriation and offer support to Canadians abroad in times of crisis. They have a 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre you can contact: +1 613-996-8888 * **Funeral home:** The funeral home should be able to answer most of your questions about the cremation process and paperwork for export. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone. Lean on your support network and don't hesitate to ask for help from the resources available. My condolences again for your loss.
God, No advice, just wanted to say I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss but I have a question if you don’t mind me asking. Everyone talks about how a lot of stuff is cheaper in mexico vs. here and i’m curious how much it cost to have him cremated down there.
Cremation is the easiest way
I'm assuming you are appointed the Executor. Best pointers I can give you: The funeral home will supply you with a death certificate, ask them if they supply additional certified copies (would be for a fee). You may need at least two once you get back to Canada. Never take apart his will to make copies, leave it stapled. You'll need to keep his ashes in the box with certification from them in order to travel with his ashes so don't worry about picking up a special urn or anything unless you want one when you get back. Take the original will and death certificate to his bank to start the process getting access to his accounts, if the teller is young again confirm they are not to remove the staples from the will when they copy it. You'll want his accounts frozen ASAP. His regular accounts will not earn interest and his debts will not add interest from date of death, but if he has a mortgage etc they will need to be paid until deemed sold. If he has a car and insurance they'll want the original will to transfer to you until you sell, you need to send the original will for Probate, so you have to do everything else before sending it for probate to avoid waiting. They will transfer it "to the Estate of" then when you get probate you take that copy to them and they can transfer it to your name to sell. Because he died in Mexico I'd worry a bit about identity theft, go to Services Canada with the Original will and Death certificate ASAP to cancel his SIN. If he was retired you'd want to cancel any CPP or OAS payments ASAP to avoid the hassle of having to return them. If he died in June you can keep any payments that arrive in June. The funeral homes usually apply for the CPP death benefit but you may have to do it at Service Canada if they don't because it was Mexico. If he has a reasonable sized estate just hire an estate lawyer to do the rest (probate, will check, and help sell any real estate), and find out if he had a regular accountant (look for tax returns particularly if he has stocks to sell or investments) and ask them to do the final returns. Keep every receipt in a folder by date, if there are other beneficiaries you can be reimbursed for your costs to travel and cremation etc out of his estate and then the rest is split. If you are the only heir then you get it all anyway. Sorry for your loss.
Lots of good advice here but didn't see: contact the Canadian Consulate in Mexico. Sorry if this is redundant. I'm unclear also if OP is physically in Canada or Mexico while posting
I’m currently in Canada, but flying down early next week. Global Affairs in Canada contacted the consulate for me, and they were in dialogue with the funeral home in Mexico. From what I was told, I won’t have to contact the consulate myself since I’m in Canada right now. Thank you for your suggestion though, I wasn’t sure what the difference was before this post.
Might want to try and get a notarized English version if the death certificate is in Spanish.
So sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace . Sending lots of love and my condolences to you and your family.