When a veteran dies, the family can get help to pay for the funeral and burial. This Veterans Affairs Canada program is run by the Last Post Fund (Fonds du Souvenir in French), a national non-profit organization with offices in Montreal and Toronto.
Who is eligible?
Qualifying military service comes first. Eligibility then rests on one of these two paths:
- a link with service: the person died as a result of a service-related disability. No financial assessment is made;
- the financial situation: the estate is assessed, under the rules described below.
The program covers former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and of the forces that preceded them, and veterans of the Canadian Merchant Navy who served during the Second World War or the Korean War. Veterans of allied forces who served during either of these wars are also covered if they lived in Canada before enlisting, lived there for at least 10 years after the war, or were living there at the time of death.
For the Last Post Fund, a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces must have successfully completed basic training and been honourably discharged. If in doubt, call the Last Post Fund: a counsellor conducts a short phone interview to establish eligibility.
How is the financial situation assessed?
The assessment looks at the person's net assets at the time of death, meaning assets minus debts.
| Situation | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Veteran with a spouse or dependent children | The couple's assets, minus a base amount of $45,683.24 and $700 per dependent child. The family home and car are not counted, nor is income for the month of death. |
| Veteran with no spouse or dependants | The veteran is eligible if the estate is not enough to pay all debts, including funeral and burial costs. |
The base amount is the one in Veterans Affairs Canada's 2026 fact sheet. Depending on the result, the program may pay all or part of the costs.
What does the assistance cover, and up to how much?
| Item | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Funeral services: preparation of the remains, casket or urn, ceremony, death notice, transportation of the remains | Up to $7,376 plus taxes |
| One grave or niche, with opening, closing and perpetual care | On top of this maximum |
| A grave liner, if required | On top of this maximum |
| The cremation | On top of this maximum |
| A military-style headstone | On top of this maximum |
Burial costs, cremation and the headstone can be covered beyond the $7,376 plus taxes maximum, but limits apply. Ask the Last Post Fund about them before you choose.
How do you apply?
Apply within one year of the death, in one of these two ways:
- by phone, at 1-800-465-7113, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern time), or by email, at info@lastpost.ca;
- with the online form on the How To Apply page of the Last Post Fund's website.
If possible, contact the Last Post Fund before finalizing arrangements with the funeral home: if eligibility is established in advance, the Last Post Fund deals directly with the funeral home.
An application cannot be made before the death, and the Last Post Fund does not offer pre-arrangements. Anyone can apply on behalf of the deceased. If several people apply, priority goes to the liquidator of the estate, then to the survivor, then to the person best able to arrange the burial, and finally to the person who lives closest to the place of burial.
The family has already paid: can it be reimbursed?
Yes, if the veteran is eligible, and within the program's limits. The Last Post Fund accepts a reimbursement request after the arrangements. Keep the invoices and apply as soon as possible: Veterans Affairs Canada asks that the application be made within one year of the death.
What if a veteran's grave was never marked?
The Last Post Fund's Unmarked Grave Program provides a permanent military marker for veterans buried without a headstone. The veteran must have died at least five years ago and must not have received funeral and burial assistance. A grave with only a temporary marker also qualifies.
Which other benefits should you check?
Also apply for the Québec Pension Plan death benefit, and tell the Last Post Fund about it: it may count in the financial assessment. See who gets it and how to apply. To find out who must pay the rest of the bill, see who pays for a funeral in Quebec. Average prices by type of funeral are in the cost guide.