In order to satisfy the service criteria, the Veteran must fall under one of the following categories:

• Canadian Veteran of the First World War (August 4, 1914 to August 31, 1921) or the Second World War (September 1, 1939 to April 1, 1947).

• Canadian Veteran of the Korean War. In this case, the Veteran must have actually seen service in the theatre of operations in the Republic of Korea, or have been part of the Special Forces designated to go to the Republic of Korea, anytime prior to October 31, 1953.

• Canadian Veteran who served in the Canadian Forces since the Korean War, as long as he/she is in receipt of a disability benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada.

• Allied Veteran who has served with Allied Forces in the Second World War or Korean War, who has lived in Canada for at least 10 years, or was living in Canada prior to enlisting, and who now lives in Canada.

  
  

Matter-of-Right

Matter-of-right is determined when the Veteran's death is related to military service for which he/she was receiving a Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit. When matter-of-right applies, the Veteran is eligible for assistance without a financial means test. To qualify, the following conditions must be met:

- Veteran must be in receipt of a Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit;
- Death must be related to the benefit condition; and
- Eligibility must be determined by a medical authority from Veterans Affairs Canada.

 

Means Testing

A means test is a financial assessment which considers factors such as marital status, number of dependents and net assets.

• In the case of a single Veteran, the value of the estate must be assessed before the Last Post Fund determines if it can first pay off all existing liabilities and then cover the cost of funeral and burial. If there are insufficient funds, the Veteran is eligible for assistance.

• In the case of a Veteran with a spouse (or dependent child), the combined assets of both the Veteran and spouse are considered (excluded are a house, one vehicle and income received for the month of death). All liabilities, including funeral and burial costs, are then deducted. To qualify, the combined net asset value must be $12,015 or less.

It is important to note that every case is unique and coverage is not automatic.
All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

Please contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations.

 

Services Provided under the Funeral and Burial Program

Request Application

Because financial criteria may change up until the date of death, funeral and burial benefits cannot be pre-approved. Once the necessary criteria have been met, the Last Post Fund can determine what assistance may be offered. There are two types of funding arrangements that may be provided by the Last Post Fund: a standard service and an assisted service.

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

Expenses that are covered (amount subject to Regulations*) include such things as:

• Services of a funeral director (including a wood or wood veneer casket);
  
• Cremation and urn (if applicable);
  
• Burial expenses, i.e. plot and standard-depth interment (maximum costs apply);
  
• Veteran’s grave marker (must be ordered through a Last Post Fund supplier).

Some items are not covered. These include:

• Obituary/press notices;
  
• Honorariums for clergy, soloists, pipers, etc.;
  
• Flowers;
  
• Luncheon or reception costs.

*Even if the Veteran meets all criteria, not all eligible expenses may be covered in full. Several factors must be considered before the amount payable is determined.

Assisted Service
An assisted service may be provided to eligible Veterans if the Last Post Fund is contacted within one year after funeral arrangements have taken place. In this case, the eligible Veteran’s estate, family or person responsible for paying the funeral expenses will be reimbursed allowable costs (amount subject to Regulations).

In the case of an assisted service, the estate or family may also request that a Veteran’s grave marker be ordered through a Last Post Fund supplier. Please note that the Last Post Fund is unable to reimburse the cost of a marker that has been privately arranged/purchased but may partially reimburse a military inscription (rank, unit and conflict) if inscribed on the marker.

It is important to note that every case is unique and coverage is not automatic.
All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

Please contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations.

 

Veterans’ Grave Markers

A military grave marker is provided for Veterans who qualify for funeral and burial assistance. A grave marker may only be supplied when a funeral and burial grant is approved and no other marker has been placed or ordered.

Once a Veteran qualifies for the Funeral and Burial Program, the next-of-kin or estate may request a grave marker. Grave markers are ordered through a Last Post Fund supplier to ensure that Veterans Affairs Canada inscription standards are met.

Depending on the type of marker allowed at the cemetery, an upright or flat grey granite military marker may be placed:

Upright Grave Marker

Material: Barre Grey Granite

Dimensions: Height 100cm x Width 38cm x Thickness 7.5cm (39 x 15 x 3 inches)

Example of an upright marker

Flat Grave Marker

Material: Barre Grey Granite

Dimensions: Height 50cm x Width 31cm x Thickness 10cm (12¼ x 20 x 4 inches.)

Example of an inscription on a flat marker

Where necessary, markers of varying dimensions or materials may be ordered to comply with cemetery regulations. The date format used on markers may vary by region or cemetery.

Please note that the Last Post Fund is unable to reimburse the cost of a marker that has been privately arranged/purchased but may partially reimburse a military inscription (rank, unit and conflict, i.e. WWII, Korea) if inscribed on the marker. (Contact your Last Post Fund provincial office for further details.)

 

Spousal Commemoration

A spouse (or other close family member) may be commemorated on the same grave site as a Veteran. Where permitted, it is recommended the spouse be commemorated by placing a foot marker on the grave site (NTMM Section 4-Pg 23). If only one marker is allowed on a grave, space may be left on a military marker for a second inscription. All extra inscription costs must be paid by the next-of-kin or estate.

 

Maintenance of Veterans’ Grave Markers

The Veterans Burial Regulations 2005 (Section 12) state that if the deceased has been buried (or marked) at the expense of the Government of Canada with a military-style grave marker, then those graves and markers will be cared for in perpetuity by the Department. Currently, all maintenance of Veterans’ markers is handled by the Veterans Affairs Canada regional office in the province where the Veteran lies. Inquiries may be directed to Veterans Affairs Canada by calling toll free: 1-866-522-2122.