Frequently Asked Questions

1- What is the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program?

Administered by the Last Post Fund, the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program provides financial assistance toward the dignified funeral, burial, cremation and grave marking for eligible Veterans. The Program adheres to and is guided by the Veterans Burial Regulations of the Canadian Government.

 

2- What is the Last Post Fund?

The Last Post Fund is a non-profit organization which administers the Funeral and Burial Program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. The primary objective of the Last Post Fund is to ensure that no Veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial due to lack of sufficient funds.

 

In addition to delivering the Funeral and Burial Program, the Last Post Fund has several other initiatives that support the commemoration of Canadian Veterans. Moreover, the Last Post Fund maintains its own military cemetery, the National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire, Québec as a permanent memorial of gratitude to the men and women who served their country in times of war and in peace.

 

3- Who is eligible for assistance through the Funeral and Burial Program?

To qualify for the Funeral and Burial Program, Veterans must meet certain financial and service related criteria. It is important to note that every case is unique and coverage is not automatic. Please contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations.

 

4- What military service criteria must be met to qualify for assistance?

In order to satisfy the service criteria, the Veteran must have been: 

• a Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy Veteran of the Second World War (1 September 1939 - 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.

 

5- Where can I find proof of a Veteran’s military service?

Library and Archives Canada holds the personnel files of former members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Visit their Web site at National Archives of Canada for more information on the services they provide, including how to request information from the personnel records unit. A written request for information may be sent by mail to:

 

Personnel Records Unit
Researcher Services Division
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0N3

 

6- Does a Veteran have to be a Veterans Affairs Canada client to apply for the Funeral and Burial Program?

Any Canadian Veteran who meets the service and financial criteria may apply through the Last Post Fund for the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program.

 

7- Other than military service, what criteria must be met to qualify for assistance?

Once the Veteran has met the service-related criteria, eligibility for funeral and burial benefits can be established in one of two ways:

1. His financial situation has been determined by an assessment of his net value (also known as “means test”); or

2. His death is related to military service, for which he or she was receiving a Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit (also known as “matter of right”).

 

8- Does a Veteran who dies from the condition for which he or she was receiving a disability benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada qualify for assistance?

This Veteran would be eligible under the “matter of right” criteria. In this case, he or she would be eligible for assistance, regardless of what his/her financial situation was at the time of death.

 

It is important to note that in order to be considered for “matter of right” assistance:

 

• The Veteran must have been in receipt of a disability benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada;
  
  
• The death must be related to the disability condition; and
  
  
• This must be determined by a medical authority from Veterans Affairs Canada.

 

9- What is a “means test”?

The “means test” is a financial assessment that determines eligibility for the Program. The assessment considers factors such as marital status, number of dependants and net assets. Every case is unique, so it is best to contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations. All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

 

10- Why doesn’t the Funeral and Burial Program provide assistance for all Veterans?

The purpose of the Program is to assist Veterans who do not have the financial means for a dignified funeral and burial, and Veterans who die from a condition related to military service for which they are receiving a disability benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada.

 

11- Is a Veteran's spouse eligible for funeral and burial assistance?

No, except in the case where the spouse is also a Veteran who meets the service criteria outlined in question 4.

12- Can Veterans arrange for their spouse or other close family members to be buried with them in the Veterans' section of the cemetery?

This decision falls under the jurisdiction of each cemetery. The cemetery may be contacted directly for an answer to this question.

13- Can a Canadian Veteran who passes away outside of Canada apply for assistance under the Funeral and Burial Program of Veterans Affairs Canada?

Benefits from the Funeral and Burial Program may be extended to both resident and non-resident Canadian Veterans who meet the financial and service-related criteria.

 

14- What services are provided by the Last Post Fund?

There are two types of services provided by the Last Post Fund:

 

A standard service may be provided if the Last Post Fund is contacted by the family and eligibility is determined before firm arrangements are made. In this case, the Last Post Fund deals directly with the funeral home.

An assisted service will be provided to eligible Veterans if the Last Post Fund is contacted after funeral arrangements have been made. In this case, the eligible Veteran’s estate or family will be reimbursed allowable costs.

15- What expenses may be covered under the Funeral and Burial Program?

Funeral and burial related expenses that are covered under the program, in full or in part, include:

- The services of a funeral director (including a casket);
- The cost of cremation and urn (if applicable);
- Burial expenses;
- A grave marker (ordered through an LPF supplier).

Every case being unique, it is best to contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations. All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

 

16- When should an application for funeral and burial assistance be made?

An application for funeral and burial assistance may only be made at the time of a Veteran's death. When this occurs, the Veteran’s family or estate should contact the nearest Last Post Fund provincial office to discuss eligibility.

 

17- Can an application for assistance be made prior to a Veteran’s death?

The application form cannot be issued or approved until the actual date of death because financial information and marital status can change right up to that time. However, the Last Post Fund could provide advance information on how to apply for assistance, so that the family may prepare the application ahead of time.

 

18- Is there a time limit to apply for benefits?

There is a one-year time limit to apply for funeral and burial benefits. Therefore the application should be made as soon as possible following the Veteran’s death.

 

19- Will Veterans who do not qualify for funeral and burial benefits receive a grave marker?

A military grave marker is part of the funeral and burial benefit package and may only be provided in cases where a funeral and burial grant is approved. However, the Last Post Fund has created an Unmarked Grave Program for Veterans whose grave has not had a permanent headstone or foot marker for five years or more.

 

20- What type of grave marker may be provided?

Depending on the type of marker allowed at the cemetery, an upright or flat grey granite military marker may be placed. Where necessary, markers of varying dimensions or materials may be ordered to comply with cemetery regulations. Contact your provincial office of the Last Post Fund for more information.

 

21- Where can I get more information on the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program?

For more information, please contact your provincial office of the Last Post Fund to ask further questions or request a brochure on the Program.

 

For a list of telephone numbers, emails and addresses, click on Contact us.