End-of-Life Care Planning

Approaching the end of life is an emotional, spiritual, and often overwhelming experience. While often difficult to talk about, it is essential to make sure that your wishes are known and respected by your loved ones and service providers and that you and your loved ones are supported through this time. At Dignity Seniors Society (DSS), we are here for you, your loved ones, and your service providers.

As an organization dedicated to serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we recognize that seniors in this community may face unique and very personal challenges when navigating end-of-life planning. We are committed to providing resources and guidance to ensure that all aspects of this journey are addressed with care, dignity, and respect.

We have organized key areas of end-of-life planning to help ensure that everything is in place according to your wishes. Our website includes resources in the following areas:

Financial and Legal Planning

  • Many 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors face unique financial vulnerabilities. These may include lower lifetime earnings due to workplace discrimination, lack of access to spousal benefits, or limited family support networks. Proactive financial planning ensures:

    • Sufficient Retirement Savings: Secure a stable income.

    • Access to Inclusive Resources: Identify financial advisors and programs that are affirming of 2SLGBTQIA+ identities.

    • Protection from Financial Risks: Safeguard against unexpected expenses or economic challenges.

    Financial Resources

    The 411 Seniors Centre is able to provide 2SLGBTQIA+ people with information about the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security.

    EI Caregiving Benefit information can be found here https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.html

  • Creating a will ensures your assets and belongings are distributed according to your wishes. For 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors, this is particularly important because:

    • Chosen Family Considerations: Many 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals rely on chosen families rather than biological relatives. Without a will, your estate may default to biological relatives who may not align with your wishes.

    • Avoiding Legal Disputes: A clear will prevents confusion and ensures your legacy supports those you care about most.

    An inclusive and knowledgeable estate planner can guide you in documenting your intentions effectively.

    Please see Wills and Estate Planning - Province of British Columbia.

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors may face challenges due to outdated laws or discriminatory practices. Addressing legal considerations proactively helps:

    • Affirm Relationships: Ensure the legal recognition of your partner or spouse, if applicable.

    • Secure Housing and Care Rights: Protect yourself from potential discrimination in healthcare or housing facilities.

    Consulting a lawyer who understands 2SLGBTQIA+ issues ensures your legal documents reflect your needs and protect your rights.

  • A Power of Attorney document designates someone to make financial or legal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. This is critical for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors because:

    • Preventing Family Interference: In the absence of a trusted appointee, decision-making authority may default to estranged or unsupportive biological relatives.

    Empowering Chosen Advocates: Ensure a trusted friend, partner, or chosen family member has the authority to act in your best interest.

  • Representation agreements allow you to appoint someone to make healthcare and personal decisions for you if you're unable to do so. For 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors, this ensures:

    • Respecting Your Identity: Ensure your gender identity, pronouns, and preferences are honoured in medical and personal care decisions.

    • Avoiding Misrepresentation: Without proper documentation, decision-making authority may go to someone who may not fully understand or respect your needs.

    Please see Nidus, the BC Government’s Incapacity Planning Information and Substitute Decision Makers – BC Centre for Palliative Care

    More information about your rights and legal services can be found here:

Advance Care Planning

  • Advance Care Planning is a process of thinking about your values, beliefs, and wishes for your personal care, and sharing them with the people you trust. Advance Care Planning can include choosing who would make care decisions for you if you cannot. It can help you get the care that’s right for you, even if you’re unable to speak for yourself.

    Advance Care Planning is part of life planning. You might have done some other types of life planning already, such as preparing a will, saving for retirement or appointing a guardian for your child. Advance Care Planning is another type of life planning.

  • For resources on how to create an Advance Care Plan, see: 

Funeral Pre-Planning and Death Care

  • What is Pre-Planning?

    Funeral pre-planning is the process of making arrangements for your own funeral or memorial service in advance of your death. It involves specifying your wishes for how you want your funeral or memorial to be handled and can also include financial planning to cover the costs. This can also include burial or cremation property at your cemetery of choice. When you are pre-paying, you can finance (make monthly payments) to ease the financial burden of paying for funeral arrangements.

    Why Pre-Plan?

    Pre-planning funeral arrangements can offer significant peace of mind for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in ensuring that their identity, relationships, and chosen family are honored and respected after death. By making these decisions in advance, people can safeguard against potential conflicts with biological family members who may not acknowledge their gender identity, pronouns, or partnerships. It also gives your next of kin peace of mind, knowing that they are honouring your wishes, as you have laid them out. Ultimately, it’s a powerful act of self-determination and care for loved ones left behind.

    How Do I Pre-Plan?

    Though not every funeral home is able to make pre-arrangements, every funeral home and cemetery in British Columbia can guide you on how to pre-plan, and provide recommendations. The first step usually involves requesting an appointment to meet with an advisor or funeral professional to assist in the process. If you have a funeral home in particular you would like to work with, you may reach out to them and ask how to begin pre-planning. 

    What if I can’t afford Funeral Services?

    Though Funeral expenses are the responsibility of the legal Next of Kin of the deceased, The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (Often referred to as ‘The Ministry’) is a Government Division in British Columbia to help to cover costs for funeral arrangements, including burial or cremation costs. An intake meeting must take place with the legal Next of Kin to complete a Means Test - which would review the deceased individual’s finances to see if there is enough money in place to cover expenses. If there is not, then the Ministry can cover a determined amount. If given approval, your family then can select a funeral home and advise a funeral director that the Ministry will also be involved to help with costs.

    More information about the Ministry Funeral Supplement here: Ministry Assistance with Funeral Costs brochure

  • Helpful resources:

Hospice Palliative Care
End-of-Life Doula
Additional Resources

  • Palliative care is an approach to care that provides comfort and aims to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families who are facing challenges associated with serious illness. To learn more about palliative care, visit The BC Centre for Palliative Care

    The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association has information about hospice, palliative care, grief and bereavement, as well as a  Map of Hospice Societies in BC so you can find the hospice near you.

  • A Death Café is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. The aim is to bring people together to discuss this often taboo subject and to extend these conversations outward in their social circles. Death is a part of life, and dealing with that reality can be a truly liberating experience. Death Cafés are volunteer-run and are always free of charge. 

    To learn more visit A 2SLGBTQIA+ perspective of Death Cafés.

  • An end-of-life Life Doula is someone who supports a person faced with an illness or terminal diagnosis. The End of Life Doula can educate, advocate for, and empower clients by starting the conversation about death and embracing the dying process early. Visit the End of Life Doula Association to learn more about End of Life Doula’s in your area

  • If you would like to learn more about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), please visit Dying with Dignity Canada and MAiD BC.

    • The National Resource Centre on 2SLGBTQI Aging (NRCA) is a resource centre focused on the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQI older adults and aging issues in Canada. The site is a storehouse of information, research and resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults, their communities, and for those who provide social service and care to these groups. ... The NRCA is a collaboration between Egale Canada and the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

    • Advance Serious Illness Planning Resources can help you think more about your values and preferences and provide you with more information about medical treatments and medical decision-making.You can download a free guide via this link: Resources - Plan Well Guide