Retraite Québec pays a death benefit to help cover funeral costs. It is not automatic: you must apply, and the amount depends on the deceased's contributions and on the costs actually paid.
How much is the death benefit?
- Up to $2,500, paid once.
- The person who paid for the funeral receives at most the amount they paid, up to $2,500.
- The benefit is taxable: it must be reported in the income of the estate.
Which contributions must the deceased have made?
The person must have contributed to the Québec Pension Plan for 10 years, or for at least one third of their contributory period, with a minimum of 3 years. Retraite Québec also takes contributions to the Canada Pension Plan into account.
There is a special rule: if the person contributed at least $500 without meeting this condition, and without having received a retirement or disability pension, the benefit equals the total contributions paid, up to $2,500.
Who receives the benefit?
| When you apply | Who receives the benefit |
|---|---|
| Within 60 days after the death | First, the person or charity that paid the funeral expenses, if they submit their application and proof of payment within that period. Any balance can be paid to the heirs who have not renounced the estate and who apply for it. |
| From day 61 up to 5 years after the death | The first person who applies: the person who paid the funeral expenses, an heir, the liquidator of the estate or, failing them, another person. |
For heirs, the cheque is made out to the "Heirs of" the deceased, no earlier than 60 days after the death. The 60 days are therefore not a deadline: they give priority to the person who paid.
Which costs are accepted?
Accepted costs are the funeral expenses that were paid, proven by a paid invoice or a receipt. Flowers and the reception are not accepted. Pre-arrangements paid for by the deceased cannot be reimbursed by the benefit.
How do you apply?
- Fill out the application for survivors' benefits, through Retraite Québec's online service or with form B-042-1A, the English version (parts 1 and 2 for the death benefit).
- Give the social insurance number of the deceased and your own.
- Send the proof of payment with your application: the receipt for funeral expenses paid that the funeral home fills out (form RRQ-062, in French only), or a receipt or paid invoice.
- Online, also send proof of death: an attestation of death from the funeral home or the death certificate from the Directeur de l'état civil. With the form, it is not required if the death occurred in Quebec, but Retraite Québec may ask for it.
When you pay for the funeral, ask the funeral home for this RRQ-062 receipt.
The person contributed to the Canada Pension Plan: where should you apply?
Contributions to both plans are combined to calculate the death benefit. Apply to Retraite Québec if the deceased lived in Quebec at the time of death, contributed only to the Québec Pension Plan, or lived outside Canada and their last province of residence was Quebec.
In other cases, you apply to Service Canada. For a death on or after January 1, 2025, the Canada Pension Plan pays a basic amount of $2,500 and, in some cases, a top-up of $2,500, for a maximum of $5,000. Under the Québec Pension Plan, the death benefit is at most $2,500.
Which other benefits can relatives receive?
The same form can also be used to apply for the surviving spouse's pension (part 3) and the orphan's pension (part 4), paid for each child under 18 at the time of death ($307.81 a month in 2026). The conditions are on Retraite Québec's website.
What if the death benefit cannot be paid?
Social assistance can grant a special benefit for funeral expenses, of up to $2,500, to the person who paid for the funeral or committed to paying for it. The deceased did not need to be on social assistance, but their resources must be insufficient. You must first apply to Retraite Québec for the death benefit within 60 days after the death. The special benefit is then requested within 90 days after the funeral services or after receiving Retraite Québec's notice of refusal. Other benefits are covered in our article on who pays for a funeral in Quebec.
For a veteran, also see Last Post Fund assistance.