Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) can be valuable tools for building retirement income—but they can also create significant tax implications at death if not thoughtfully planned. In Canada, when someone dies, the full value of their RRSP or RRIF is generally treated as income on their final tax return. This means the entire amount…
“I thought the earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly …” -Mary Oliver The introduction of a shroud-only burial option in the natural burial area of the Quadra Island Cemetery marks a meaningful expansion of choice—one that honours one of humanity’s oldest burial practices, being wrapped and laid directly into the earth, without a casket. What is a…
As life has grown more complex, so has the process of dying. End-of-life planning is therefore more important than ever. While it can feel overwhelming, the time and care invested now can greatly reduce stress, confusion, cost, and conflict for loved ones later. At its core, end-of-life planning involves attending to two broad areas—your possessions and responsibilities, and your health…
Thinking and talking about medical decisions near the end of life can be difficult, but having the right information can make it easier. One important document in BC is the No CPR form—a medical order that tells health care providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops. What is the No CPR Form? The No CPR form…
This was extracted from a video by Sarah Kerr, founder of the Centre for Sacred Deathcare. Talking about death can be difficult—especially if you’re in good health and not expecting it anytime soon. But the truth is, death can come for any of us at any time, and it’s still important to have that conversation, even when it feels far…
Most of us don’t expect to lose the ability to handle our own affairs — but illness, accidents, or the natural effects of aging can change that in an instant. A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal tool that lets you appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions for you if you can’t do it yourself. It’s an…
Talking about money after someone dies can feel uncomfortable—but it’s always part of the picture. Even when families do as much as they can themselves, the cost of burial can still be surprisingly high. Let’s walk through the typical expenses, starting from the cemetery and working backwards. There are two cemeteries on the island; the Wei Wai Kai Cemetery at Cape Mudge…
Most of us don’t like thinking about death, but it’s part of life—and when someone dies without a will, it can leave behind more than just grief. It often creates confusion, legal complications, and unintended consequences for the people left behind. When there’s no will, it’s called intestacy. In this situation, the law decides how your money, property, and belongings are…
Julie McFadden, BSN, RN, a hospice/palliative care nurse with more than fifteen years of experience, writes: I am asked all the time why in the world I would do something as difficult as working for hospice. People often ask, “Isn’t it so depressing?” It’s sad sometimes, yes. There’s really no way around that. But I don’t find my job to…
From an article by Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, SC, USA, citing Dr. Atul Gawande’s book, Being Mortal, summarized by Margaret Verschuur. Facing the end of life is never easy, but asking the right questions can bring clarity, comfort, and a sense of control during one of life’s most uncertain chapters. A growing movement in healthcare is shifting the focus…