Veteran Funeral Services

Veteran Funeral Services

We believe the story of every veteran's life deserves to be shared. We are deeply committed to providing families with exceptional veterans services and can assist you in securing military burial benefits. When it comes time for you to make arrangements for the veteran in your life, know that our staff is both qualified and committed to providing them with the military honours they deserve.

What to Expect at a Military Funeral

When planning a funeral for a veteran, the next of kin/family are allowed to choose how much or little the military participates. A military chaplain is often involved to either conduct the ceremony or act in an advisory role, to ensure that the deceased is given proper military death honours. Honours include proper draping of the Canadian flag over the casket, folding the flag afterwards, and presentation of medals. Although in the U.S. it is tradition for a 21-gun salute to occur, it is not a common occurrence at Canadian military services. Any military personnel in attendance will be dressed in full military uniform wearing a black armband, known as the Mourning Band. This band is typically removed following the burial service.


In a traditional military funeral there will be several types of military personnel there including the chaplain, band, and guard. When the casket arrives to the gravesite the guard will present arms (a formal salute with military weapons) and any other military personnel not under command will salute. When the casket is placed on stretchers over the grave, military personnel will be ordered to take up their position for the remainder of the ceremony and the chaplain will begin the service. Upon completion of the service a bugler will sound the Last Post, observe a 10-second pause, and then sound Reveille. Military personnel will salute from the beginning of the Last Post to the end of the Reveille. The formal removal and folding of the flag will take place and be presented to the next of kin. Following the presentation of the flag, guests may begin to pay their respects in accordance with the Canadian Forces Director of Ceremonial protocol.


All information about military funeral proceedings was derived from the CCCB Guidelines for Military Funerals in Civilian Parishes. For a more detailed description, view the full document here.

Military Death Benefits

In Canada, the VA Funeral and Burial Program is delivered through the Last Post Fund, a non-profit organization, on behalf of the Department. This program allows compensation of up to $7,376 to cover costs like professional services, a casket, an urn, and/or a military style grave marker (typically upright or flat granite, fitting with the standards of VAC) to be delivered to the families of eligible Veterans. This program also may cover other related costs like cemetery charges or cremation charges, up to a maximum amount.

As stated on the Last Post Fund's website, there are two ways assistance may be provided to a family, depending on the circumstances.


  1. Funeral arrangements can be made directly through the Last Post Fund after an application has been filled out, eligibility determined, and before arrangements are confirmed with a funeral home. The funeral home will be contacted directly by the Last Post Fund in this scenario. The amount contributed by the Last Post Fund is subject to the amounts set out in the Veterans Burial Regulations.
  2. If arrangements have already been made and confirmed by a Veteran's estate, the family or other person/organization have the opportunity to apply for partial or full reimbursement within one year of the arrangements. This reimbursement is also subject to the amounts set out in the Veterans Burial Regulations.

The Veteran

When arranging for veterans' burial services, you can rely on us to complete all the necessary paperwork involved in obtaining the military death and burial benefits that are available. These can include:
  • Burial Flag
  • Headstone or Marker
  • Burial in a National or Provincial Canadian Forces Cemetery
Call us to learn how we can work together to pay tribute to your veteran.
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