Planning for final expenses is one of the most practical gifts you can leave your family. It means fewer decisions to make, and fewer bills to pay, at a hard time.
Step 1: Estimate the cost
Think about the funeral or cremation you'd want, plus final bills such as a last month of rent, utilities or a credit card. Our funeral cost estimator can help.
Step 2: Count what's already there
- Savings and investments that will go to your estate
- Any existing life insurance, including group coverage from a former employer, which sometimes ends at retirement, so check
- A prepaid funeral plan
- The CPP death benefit, if you contributed enough
Step 3: Close the gap
If there's a shortfall, options include setting money aside, a prepaid funeral plan, or final expense insurance. Our coverage gap calculator does the arithmetic.
Step 4: Write it down
Keep your wishes, policy details and key contacts in one place, and tell someone you trust where to find them.
Sources (checked October 27, 2026)
This guide is general information, not insurance, financial, legal or tax advice.