What happens if a person dies and leaves no beneficiary for his life insurance policy but there is a will?

In Canada, if there is no beneficiary of the life insurance policy, the proceeds go into the estate of the owner. This person is often the same as the life insured but doesn't have to be (eg a father buying life insurance on his son. The father is the owner and the son is the life insured).

The proceeds form part of the owner's estate and are distributed according to the instructions in the will after all debts have been satisfied.