Enhanced Funeral Assistance Benefit now paying rates among the best in Canada

Up to $5,000 for a funeral, up to $1,500 for additional expenses, $1.25 per kilometre beyond eight kilometres for transportation costs, accommodation for oversized caskets, and more.

Government has announced a significant increase to rates paid to funeral homes to provide funeral services for low income people.  The enhanced Funeral Assistance Benefit positions Newfoundland and Labrador rates as among the best in Canada. Children, Seniors and Social Development Minister says as funeral costs increase, so has this new enhanced program. Up to $5,000 for a funeral, up to $1,500 for additional expenses, $1.25 per kilometre beyond eight kilometres for transportation costs, accommodation for oversized caskets and transportation by air for repatriation or for transporting to and from remote coastal communities, as well as other exceptional circumstances that may arise. Pike says they’ve engaged with funeral home operators throughout NL and identified a clear need for increased rates.  Engagement will continue with funeral home operators as the Provincial Government looks to explore opportunities to make the application process easier for families and loved ones, as well as other changes to help funeral homes. Over the last two years, the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development has paid for the funerals of close to 700 people at a cost of $2.2 million.

 To learn more about the Funeral Assistance Benefit, visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/cssd/funeral-benefits/.