Last Post Fund

The Last Post Fund (LPF) is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to ensure, insofar as possible, that no war veterans, military disability pensioners, or civilians who meet the wartime service eligibility criteria are denied a dignified funeral and burial for lack of sufficient funds. The LPF operates in cooperation with, and is supported financially by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Service Eligibility

To meet the wartime eligibility criteria the deceased must have served on active duty during:

• The First World War — August 4, 1914 to August 14, 1921;
• The Second World War — September 1, 1939 to September 30, 1947;
• Military operations undertaken by the United Nations to restore peace in the Republic of Korea at any time prior to October 31, 1953.

Financial Eligibility

Financial eligibility is based on an assessment, at the time of death, of the financial resources of the veteran and any surviving spouse. This assessment is guided by the same criteria as Veterans Affairs Canada means tested cases and varies depending on whether or not the veteran was survived by a spouse and/or dependent children.

Application

At the death of a person for whom LPF benefits may be a consideration, the next-of-kin or other responsible person should contact the nearest LPF office as soon as possible to establish eligibility. This also ensures that the applicant is provided accurate up-to-date information about the application process. There are two options for receiving LPF assistance depending on circumstances and family preference.

LPF Standard Funeral and Burial

At the time of death, the LPF will enter into a contract with a funeral director (of the family's choice where applicable) to provide funeral services to a pre-determined LPF standard. Arrangements for disposition of the remains may be made through the funeral director or directly with the provider of that service. The family of the deceased may only apply at the time of death and a decision on eligibility will be made prior to the funeral and burial.

LPF "Assisted Services"

The next-of-kin can choose to make the funeral and burial arrangements themselves and may be reimbursed for costs up to the maximum amounts provided for in the legislation. While an application for "Assisted Services" may be made at the time of death or up to one year following, the amount of financial assistance made available will be based on itemized invoices or receipts for funeral and burial services contracted or paid for.

If the application for "Assisted Services" is approved, the amount authorized for payment will be the least of:

• The actual cost of the funeral and burial services;
• The allowable amounts for the services rendered that are payable through LPF; or
• The amount of financial insufficiency judged to exist at the time of death, based on the LPF criteria.

A military style gravemarker is also available to those who qualify for either the "LPF Standard Funeral and Burial" or the "LPF Assisted Services".

Enquiries

For more information about the LPF or to obtain the address or phone number of the office that can serve you please contact the nearest District Office of Veterans Affairs Canada or:

Last Post Fund
National Office
505 René Lévesque Blvd. W.
Montréal, QC H2Z 1Y7

Telephone: (514) 866-2727 or 1-800-465-7113
Fax: (514) 866-2147