Funeral and burial marker assistance for Veterans

Way’ Members,

Last Post Fund is a non-profit organization which helps pay for funeral and burial services, including a military gravestone, for eligible Veterans. The organization may be able to help pay for headstones and other accommodation for former military service members and may be able to help your family if you have a loved one who served.

For more details on what they offer as well as an FAQ please visit the Veterans.ca website regarding their write up on the Last Post Fund: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/financial-programs-and-services/death-and-bereavement/death-and-bereavement-programs/funeral-and-burial-assistance

Eligibility

You should apply for this assistance if the Veteran met the following military service and either the service-related (matter of right) or financial (means tested) criteria.

Military service

To qualify, the Veteran must have been:

• a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces or any predecessor naval, army or air forces of Canada or Newfoundland; or
• a Canadian Merchant Navy Veteran of the Second World War or the Korean War; or
• an Allied Veteran who served with the Allied Forces during the Second World War or the Korean War. The Veteran must also have lived in Canada for at least 10 years, or lived in Canada prior to enlisting and was living in Canada at their time of death.

Service-related (Matter of right)

If the deceased Veteran received (or qualified for) a disability benefit from Veterans Affairs Canada and died as a result of that service-related disability.

Financial (means tested)

Eligibility is based on net assets at the time of death. If the assets of the deceased and the financial resources of the estate are insufficient to cover funeral and burial costs, a total or partial coverage of the cost is possible.

In the case of a Veteran with a spouse or dependent children, the combined assets of the couple are considered, excluding:

• A base amount of $43,610
• $700 per dependent child
• The family house and vehicle
• Income received during the month of death

If the net value of the estate of a single Veteran is not sufficient to pay off existing liabilities, including the cost of funeral and burial services, the Veteran is deemed to be eligible for this assistance.

How to Apply

Apply online: https://www.lastpostfund.ca/wp-content/forms/EN/index.html

Apply by phone:  1-800-465-7113.