Death of a BC Public Service employee

These instructions are for managers and supervisors who are notified of the death of a BC Public Service employee

If there has been a fatality in the workplace, follow the instructions on Death in the workplace.

On this page

• First steps
• What to prepare
• Calling the employee's next of kin
• Delivering the survivor's information package
• Resources

First steps

• Attend to the needs of your staff and co-workers:
  • Assess the need for onsite critical incident response services
  • Make employees aware that counselling support is available through their Employee & Family Assistance Services (EFAS) provider: 1-800-655-5004
  • Access further advice on supporting staff (and yourself) through the People Leader Advice Line: 1-800-655-5004
• Contact AskMyHR to report the death:
  • Call 1-877-277-0772 or submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request using the categories Myself (or) My Team or Organization > Leaving the Public Service > Death of an Employee
  • A service representative will support you and the employee's next of kin to make sure questions are answered and benefits made available as soon as possible
  • If you're unsure whether the employee had benefits and was enrolled in group life insurance, ask the service representative to confirm before preparing the survivor's information package

What to prepare

• A letter of condolence to the family using the Letter of Condolence Template (DOC, 17KB) as a guide.
  • The letter should be personalized and have the appropriate, designated person's signature.
• The Survivor's Information Package (DOC, 746KB) for delivery to the next of kin.
  • This document contains information regarding counselling, payout of salary, benefits, and life insurance.

Calling the employee's next of kin

If needed, coaching and counselling support is available 24 hours a day to support you to deal with your grief and help you with calling the employee’s next of kin.

Your call will be escalated to a counsellor with expertise in crisis situations.

When you speak with the next of kin:

• Offer your condolences
• Supply your contact information
• Offer to deliver the survivor's information package in person or electronically whenever they're ready
• Offer to communicate to the workplace anything the family wishes to be made known, for example, funeral or memorial service details

This information is included in the survivor's information package; however, you may also want to mention:

• Counselling services are available free of charge through the EFAS provider by calling 1-800-655-5004
• If applicable,* the beneficiary or executor will receive mail and/or be called regarding life insurance and pension benefits
• If applicable,* the beneficiary of the life insurance can request an advance of $10,000 from the proceeds to cover funeral expenses by calling AskMyHR (1-877-277-0772)
• If applicable, the employee's union or association may be able to provide emergency financial assistance to the family if needed

*Be sure the employee was eligible and enrolled before mentioning these benefits.

Delivering the survivor's information package

When delivering the Survivor's Information Package (DOC, 744KB) in person:

• Include the Letter of Condolence
• Offer to read through the information with the family member and answer any questions