Financial Aid

Financial Assistance

There are various forms of financial assistance that could be available to you and your family that could help pay for funeral expenses. Some are benefits that the estate and surviving spouse are entitled to, the others are determined on a means test. 

CPP Death Benefit

This is a one time payment towards the estate of up to $2500. The deceased must have contributed to CPP to be eligible. Please note that the application takes up to 8-12 weeks to receive the benefit and can not be filed until the funeral arrangements have been paid.

Please note as well that our staff at Squamish Funeral Chapel help families complete this application and will guide them through the forms. We will also mail it on your behalf.
Death Benefit Website Download CPP Death Benefit Form How to Apply

CPP Survivors Pension & Children's Benefit

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) survivor's pension is paid to the person who, at the time of death, is the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor.

The Spouse will receive a portion of the deceased monthly CPP and have it added to their monthly contributions. Calculation is dependant on age and other criteria.

There is also additional funding for children of the deceased if they are under the age of 18 and or going to post secondary education between the ages of 18-25.

Please note as well that our staff at Squamish Funeral Chapel helps families complete this application and will guide them through the forms. We will also mail it on your behalf.
Survivors Pension Website Download Survivors Pension Form How to Apply

Ministry of Social Development

A supplement may be provided to pay necessary funeral costs of any person who dies in BC if the estate of the deceased person or any responsible person has no immediate resources to meet these costs. There is no requirement that the deceased person, or the person’s family, must be BC Employment and Assistance recipients to qualify for the supplement. Costs are to be recovered whenever possible.

This supplement is available under the Employment and Assistance Regulation. 

Please note that if you think the deceased or your family may be eligible to apply for this benefit you must contact the Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation. You must contact them by calling:

1-866-866-0800

We recommend calling in the morning as wait times on the phone can be quite lengthy later on in the day. Once you have been in contact with them they will schedule and interview process determine a means test and if they will provide funding. If they do provide funding they will call us directly to notify us and so we can proceed with the arrangements.

The Ministry only provides funding necessary funeral arrangements. To learn more about their procedures please visit their website below.
Ministry Funeral Funding Info

Public Guardian & Trustee

The Public Guardian and Trustee of B.C. looks after the estates of deceased individuals who have no one to look after the estates, are a missing person, and or have been appointed by the deceased to look after their estate.

To contact the Public Guardian's Office please call:

604-660-4444
Public Guardian Info

Last Post Fund

The Last Post Fund (LPF) operates in co-operation with, and is financially supported by, Veterans Affairs Canada and provides funeral and burial services for war veterans or civilians who meet wartime service eligibility criteria. Deceased veterans may be entitled to burial arrangements through the LPF. For information on the LPF, contact Veterans Affairs Canada.

To be eligible for the Program, Veterans must meet both military service and financial criteria. The Last Post Fund will pay up to a maximum of $7,376 plus tax for funeral expenses. They will also take care of the plot at the local cemetery for either burial or cremation.

To determine if someone maybe eligible and to learn more please click the button below.
Eligibility for Last Post Fund

Work Related Deaths - Work Safe BC

Work Safe BC can administer benefits for any work related deaths. There are criteria that must be met to see if benefits will be available to your family. We advise contacting Work Safe BC. As of 2018, Work Safe BC pays out an amount of $2,699.88 as an emergency lump sum benefit to the spouse upon immediate notification of the death. They will also pay $9,268 to the spouse or estate for funeral expenses.

There is also addiotional benefits that may be available to children of the deceased. For more information please click the button below to be taken to Work Safe BC's Website on this matter.
More Info on Work Safe BC

I.C.B.C. Benefit

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia can pay up to $2,500 for funeral expenses for when someone who is insured by I.C.B.C. is killed in an automobile accident. 

If this benefit may apply, we recommend contacting I.C.B.C. You can find their contact information below.
Contact I.C.B.C.

Victims of a Crime 

The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) assists victims, immediate family members and some witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime. It provides financial benefits to help offset financial losses and assist in recovery. 

To learn more about these services and benefits please click the button below.
Crime Victims Assistance Program
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