When a SOCAN songwriter or composer dies, his or her estate is still entitled to collect performance royalties for the deceased's repertoire.

For the most part, in Canada, a writer's estate may only collect royalties for performances of his or her repertoire until 50 years after the date of the writer’s death on individually authored songs, or until 50 years after the death of the last surviving writer on any jointly authored works.

Upon the death of a SOCAN member, an estate account can be set up to ensure that royalties earned are still payable to the proper recipient. Before royalties can be paid to a member's family, successor or heirs, SOCAN requires some important information. The documentation required by SOCAN is outlined here.