Veterans Benefits

The Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program ensures that eligible Veterans receive dignified funeral and burial services. The Program is administered on behalf of VAC by the Last Post Fund | Fonds du Souvenir, a non-profit organization that has served Veterans since 1909.

Who is eligible for the Funeral and Burial Program?

Any Veteran who meets the service criteria and who dies of a service-related injury or illness, or their estates cannot pay for some or all of the funeral and burial costs would be eligible for this assistance.

A Veteran is defined as any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who successfully underwent basic training and was honourably discharged. Service eligibility for the Funeral and Burial Program extends to:

• Canadian Armed Forces Veterans or any predecessor Naval, Army or Air Forces of Canada or Newfoundland
• Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans of the Second World War or the Korean War
• Allied Veterans who served with the Allied Forces during the Second World War or the Korean War. He or she must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years or lived in Canada prior to enlisting and must have been living in Canada at time of death. 

Services Provided 

Financial assistance toward funeral and burial expenses is calculated in accordance with the amounts determined in the Veterans Burial Regulations. The current maximum rate payable toward funeral home costs such as professional services, casket or urn is $7376 + tax. Over and above this amount, the cost of a plot, cemetery charges for opening and closing, the cost of cremation and other related costs may also be covered (maximums apply). Because a Veteran’s financial situation may change up until the time of death, funeral and burial benefits cannot be pre-approved.

Apply for Funeral and Burial Benefits 

An application for assistance can only be made after the death of the Veteran. The person responsible for funeral arrangements should complete an application by contacting the Last Post Fund.

If the Veteran’s eligibility is determined before funeral arrangements were made, the Last Post fund will contact the funeral home directly to provide standard services.

If the family contacted the Last Post Fund after arrangements have been made, the eligible family may be reimbursed for eligible costs. Note, however, that there is a time limit of one year after the Veteran’s passing for apply for assistance.

Apply Online: An Online Form may be used to supply preliminary information and initiate the application process. Once submitted, a Last Post Fund counsellor will contact you.

Apply by Phone: LPF counsellors are available to answer your questions and to assist with the application process, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm EST. Toll Free-800-465-7113

Email: General inquiries may be sent to info@lastpost.ca

Mailing Address Written inquiries may be sent to:
Last Post Fund | Fonds du Souvenir
#330 – 6600 Trans-Canada Hwy
Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 4S2

For more information about Veteran’s benefits, click on the following links: 

Veterans Affairs Canada

The Last Post Fund

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