When a Death Occurs
Whether a death is sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one is indescribable. When you are in a heightened emotional state, even the most basic decisions can seem staggering. This section seeks to guide you through the immediate hours following a passing.
When a death occurs at home:
In cases where the death at home was expected, and the proper healthcare and home-death directives have been filed with the appropriate authorities, families may contact us directly at (204) 727-0694 rather than calling 911.
However, when an unexpected death occurs at home, emergency services should be contacted immediately. Emergency services will need to attend the residence before the deceased may be transferred from their home.
If in any case you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, please call us at (204) 727-0694, and we will assist you.
When a death occurs at a hospital or nursing home:
The staff of a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, will notify you and the necessary authorities immediately after a death has occurred. If the name of the funeral home has been left with the nursing home, the nursing home staff will notify the funeral home at the time of the death. However, if the death occurs at the hospital, it is the families responsibility to contact the funeral home. We will transfer your loved one into our care and make arrangements at a time convenient to you to start the funeral planning process.
Contact Brockie Donovan:
The first step following a death is to contact Brockie Donovan Funeral and Cremation Services at (204) 727-0694. Our team is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Regardless of the time or circumstance, our team is committed to answering all of your questions and guiding you through the early stages of the arrangement process - including transfer of your loved one into our care and agreeing upon a go-forward plan for making funeral arrangements over the coming days.
Meeting with Your Funeral Director:
During your first visit to Brockie Donovan, it is our goal to make you feel welcome and comfortable. Your Funeral Director will have the opportunity to meet you and introduce you to other members of the team who will be caring for your family over the coming days.
At Brockie Donovan, we believe in the value of personalized funeral services. To help your Funeral Director guide you through the arrangement process, we would appreciate the opportunity to learn about your loved one and your family through conversation with you. These discussions are critically important in helping us provide the best possible service for your family.
Making Arrangements:
Your Funeral Director will guide you through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create a memorable personal celebration of your loved one's life. This is not a one-way conversation; we want to hear your ideas and desires, and use them as the foundation for the arrangement process.
This process may include:
Scheduling the location, date and time of services or events
Selecting a casket, urn, memorial keepsakes as well as flowers
Arranging a cemetery plot
Preparing an obituary notice
Scheduling vehicles
Selecting pallbearers
You may also sign necessary authorizations or make arrangements to have them signed by the appropriate family members.
We’d like you to bring any photos, a favourite song, or memorabilia so that you and your Funeral Director can better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these things, and knowing their favourite song or favourite gathering place – even their favourite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service.
Our team will assist you in planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose life you wish to honour.
The following information regarding your loved one is necessary for the Registration of Death with the Provincial Government. Please bring the information with you for your arrangement appointment.
Full name (First/Middle/Last)
Social Insurance Number
Complete mailing address (P.O. box number not accepted)
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death (Name of hospital/Care facility)
Occupation
Martial Status (At time of death)
Name of Spouse (if female include Maiden last name of spouse)
Full Name of Father
Birthplace of Father
Full Name of Mother (provide first name and Maiden last name)
Birthplace of Mother
The following items may or may not be required:
Date, Place, and Time of Funeral Service
Name of desired Church and Minister or Funeral Celebrant (if needed - we are able to assist with arranging a Minister)
Picture for the front of the Memorial Card (select a good quality close up)
Picture for hair dressing purposes
Clothing (undergarments, outfit, shoes are optional)
Details for Obituary notice (names of surviving and predeceased family members)
Note if you have typed your obituary, please email to: info@brockiedonovan.com
Full Names of Active or Honourary Pallbearers
Full Name of Eulogist (Person presenting the eulogy)
Continuing with our commitment to transparency, you will be presented with a detailed, written estimate before signing off on arrangements for your loved one.
