Veteran Services
Many of us may take our freedoms for granted, but our staff at Kittiwake Funeral Home proudly recognizes the sacrifices made by those who have served Canada with courage, dedication, and a deep commitment to protecting others.
Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate guidance and professional support, assisting families in completing the necessary documentation to access benefits available to eligible veterans through Veterans Affairs Canada.
What are VA burial benefits and memorial items?
Veterans’ burial benefits are designed to assist service members, veterans, and their families in planning and covering the costs of a burial or memorial service, often within a national or veterans’ cemetery. Commemorative items are provided through Veterans Affairs Canada to honour and recognize the service and sacrifice of those who have served our country.
Who qualifies for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery?
Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, as well as other benefits, if they meet one of the requirements listed below:
- A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
- A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
- The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first
- In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran
What are military funeral honors and a committal service?
Military funeral honours in Canada may include the playing of the Last Post, a rifle party, a colour party, and uniformed members of the Canadian Armed Forces who carefully fold and present the Canadian flag to the grieving family. This flag is typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or a close loved one as a lasting tribute to their service.
To qualify for a burial flag or military funeral honours, the veteran or service member must generally meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Served in the Canadian Armed Forces and was released under honourable conditions
- Died while serving on active duty
- Completed basic training and was a member in good standing of the Regular Force or Primary Reserve
- Served in a recognized conflict or peacekeeping mission
- In some cases, served in allied or Commonwealth forces alongside Canada
- Eligibility and available honours may vary, and our team is here to help guide families through the process with care and clarity.
What are burial benefits and how do I apply?
Veterans’ death benefits in Canada are designed to help cover the costs associated with funeral, burial, and, in some cases, transportation arrangements. Eligible families may receive financial assistance toward funeral expenses, burial or cremation, and interment through programs administered by Veterans Affairs Canada.
In many cases, these benefits are provided through the Funeral and Burial Program, which supports families of eligible veterans who meet specific service and financial criteria. Assistance may include coverage for basic funeral services, a burial plot or niche, and related expenses.
Applications for funeral and burial assistance should be made as soon as possible following a veteran’s passing. Eligibility requirements and timelines can vary depending on the circumstances, and our team is here to help guide you through each step of the process with care and clarity.
Eligible veterans may also qualify for memorial items provided through Veterans Affairs Canada, including grave markers and official recognition of service. These tributes are intended to honour the life and legacy of those who served our country.
For more information about available benefits, eligibility, and how to apply, please visit Veterans Affairs Canada at:
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en or speak with one of our staff members for personal assistance.
