Funeral & Burial Program and Grave Marking Assistance

In order to satisfy the service criteria, a person 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 was residing in Canada at the time he/she joined the Allied Force or, alternatively, was entitled to receive War Veterans Allowance from Veterans Affairs Canada at some time before February 28, 1995.

Financial Criteria

Once it is verified that a veteran is service qualified, there are two main avenues through which a veteran may be eligible for funeral and burial assistance:

Matter-of-Right
Matter-of-right is determined when a veteran’s death was related to military service for which he or she was receiving a Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefit. When matter-of-right applies, a 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
- This must be determined by a medical authority from Veterans Affairs Canada.

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

• In the case of a single veteran, the Last Post Fund will assess the value of the estate to determine 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 dependant 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.
Please contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations.
All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

Benefits Offered 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 which 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 a veteran meets the criteria, not all eligible expenses may be covered in full.
Several factors are 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).

With an assisted service, an 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.
Please contact the Last Post Fund to discuss specific situations.
All factors will be considered before making a firm decision on eligibility.

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 the inscription standards of Veterans Affairs Canada 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 - Barre Grey Granite

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

Example of an upright marker

Flat Grave Marker - Barre Grey Granite

Dimensions: Height 50cm x width 31cm x thickness 10cm (12¼ in. x 20 in. x 4 in.)

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 branch 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.