Funeral, Burial and Gravemarking Assistance
The Canadian Government has traditionally assumed responsibility for the burial of members of the Canadian Armed Forces who died during battle and, later, those who died as a result of war-related injuries. In the years following the end of the Second World War and the Korean War, benefits were expanded to Veterans who died without the financial means to provide for a dignified funeral and burial.
The Last Post Fund Corporation (LPF) has been mandated to deliver the program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The LPF is a non-profit organization which is closely associated with VAC and will provide, insofar as possible, an honourable funeral and burial, including a military style grave marker to eligible ex-service persons. For further information on the LPF please view their website at www.lastpostfund.ca.
Matter-of-Right
A Veteran who dies while on treatment strength of Veterans Affairs Canada, or a disability pensioner who is deemed to have died either from a pension condition(s) or a condition which can be related to military service may be entitled to full funeral and burial benefits up to the maximum amounts payable under current legislation as a matter-of-right (no means test is performed on the estate of the deceased). Arrangements may also be made for funeral and burial benefits when a Veteran dies without next-of-kin.
Means Tested
Under the program, the LPF may provide funeral and burial assistance to:
- a Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy Veteran of the Second World War (1 September 1939 to 1 April 1947); or
- a Canadian Veteran of the Korean War who served in the theatre of operations, or has been part of the Special Forces designated to go to the Republic of Korea anytime before 31 October 1953; or
- a Veteran who served in the Canadian Forces and is receiving a disability benefit, an earnings loss benefit or a Canadian Forces income support benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada; or
- an Allied Veteran who served with the Allied Forces during the Second World War or the Korean War and has also lived in Canada for at least 10 years, or lived in Canada prior to enlisting and was living in Canada at time of death
If the estate of the deceased and the financial resources of any surviving spouse are not sufficient to pay the expenses of the funeral and burial (as determined by the means test described below) then assistance may be provided to cover all or part of the cost.
The Means Test
In determining eligibility for means-tested assistance, the following assets in the deceased's estate will not be included in the calculation of financial status:
- Assets to a value of $12,015 where the deceased left a surviving spouse
- Assets to a value of $700 for each dependent child (as defined under the legislation)
- The family home (including normal household furnishings) and the family automobile
- Regular income cheques (payments under: Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, War Veterans Allowance, or disability pension payments) issued to the deceased for the month of death.
Where the deceased is not survived by a spouse or dependent children, all estate assets are examined to determine financial need.
Funeral and burial expenses of the deceased, as well as other debts, are considered when determining the value of the estate. If it is determined that the estate and, if applicable, the financial resources of any surviving spouse are sufficient to provide for the funeral and burial, assistance will not be approved. If there are sufficient assets to cover a portion of the expenses, a grant in the amount of the difference, up to the maximum amounts stipulated by legislation, may be approved.
Benefits
Assistance may be provided to a maximum amount for the services of one or, if required, two funeral directors. This includes a solid wood casket, or one of equal or lesser value that may be made of wood veneer, preparation of the body, the use of a room for public viewing for up to two days, the use of a hearse and one other automobile, and the provision of grave-side services. The Goods and Services Tax is reimbursed on amounts paid for these services. The legislation permits reimbursement of the "lowest cost earth burial" in the county, township or city of residence in: a cemetery plot designated for Veterans, a plot in a section of a cemetery designated as a "Field of Honour", or a plot that would ensure a dignified funeral. Burial costs may include the cost of the grave, the rental of a lowering device, the opening and closing of the grave and the costs of perpetual care.
Gravemarkers
A military style grave marker (upright or flat granite, or in certain cases, flat bronze) conforming with the standards of Veterans Affairs Canada may be provided under conditions similar to those that govern funeral and burial assistance.
Application for Assistance
An application for funeral and burial assistance can be made by calling the national Last Post Fund toll free at 1-800-465-7113, within one year following the death of the Veteran. Applications that are received after the one-year time limit will not be considered.
For more detailed information about the regulations, please visit the web site below:
