Benefits and programs

Employee or retired employee of the Government of Canada

You may need to notify the Pay Centre and Pension Centre of the death. Refer to When death occurs for more guidance.

Any public service group insurance benefit plan coverage for the person who died and for their survivor or dependant(s) may be impacted. For more information, refer to Life events: Public service group insurance benefit plans.

If the person who died was retired from the public service, you may need to contact the Public Service Pension Plan directly. Refer to Death after Retirement for more information.

If the person who died was a public servant employed by the Government of Canada, their survivor or dependant(s) may be entitled to pension benefits. For more information, refer to Survivors and dependants of the public service pension plan.

You can search for information on pensions and benefits at Pension and benefits - Guided search.

Military veteran

Refer to Death and Bereavement programs for more information on supporting families of a deceased Veteran or a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

For Veterans Affairs services, refer to Veterans Affairs.

Every Veteran deserves a dignified funeral and burial. The Funeral and Burial Assistance program helps pay for these services.

The cost of post-secondary education can be a financial burden. A child or children of a deceased Veteran or Canadian Armed Forces member may qualify for Education Assistance for Children to help with those costs.

HOPE provides peer support to families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one who serviced in the Canadian Armed Forces, either active or retired, Regular or Reserve Force. Refer to Helping our Peers by Providing Empathy for more details.

The VAC Assistance Service for Mental health provides free, short-term psychological support with a mental health professional. This service is available to Veterans, their family members, and caregivers.

Immediate family members of veterans can Speak to a Chaplain to access spiritual support.

Active member of the Canadian Armed Forces

Refer to Death and Bereavement programs for more information on supporting families of a deceased Veteran or a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

For information on claims and reimbursements available to the family, spouse or estate of a deceased Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member, refer to Military death benefits for more information.

For information about the Canadian Armed Forces pension plans for the survivor of a deceased plan member, refer to Canadian Armed Forces Survivor Pensions.

The cost of post-secondary education can be a financial burden. A child or children of a deceased Veteran or Canadian Armed Forces member may qualify for Education Assistance for Children to help with those costs.

For Veterans Affairs services, refer to Veterans Affairs.

If you or someone close to you requires support during this difficult time, please refer to Military Mental Health for resources available to you.

HOPE provides peer support to families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one who serviced in the Canadian Armed Forces, either active or retired, Regular or Reserve Force. Refer to Helping our Peers by Providing Empathy for more details.

Member or retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

There is support available for families of a deceased veteran or member of the Canadian Armed Forces for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). For more information, refer to Death and bereavement programs.

If the person who died was a retired member of the RCMP, refer to Death in Retirement for information about potential survivor and child entitlements under the RCMP Pension Plan.

VAC may offer Survivor benefits and additional help for the family of a person who died, if the person who died was receiving benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) on behalf of the RCMP (e.g. a disability pension). For more information, refer to RCMP Programs that are Administered by VAC.

The survivor and dependant(s) of an RCMP pension plan member may be eligible for survivor benefits, child allowances, and coverage under the group insurance plans. For more information, refer to Becoming a Survivor.

If the person who died was the survivor of a member of the RCMP Pension plan, some benefits and coverage may continue upon their death. For more information, refer to Death of a survivor.

Student or individual repaying student loans

If the person who died was receiving or repaying a federal student loan, you may need to notify the National Student Loans Service Centre of the death. Contact the National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC).

If the person who died was receiving or repaying a provincial or territorial student loan, you may also need to contact the province or territory's student aid office to inform them of the death. For a list of the Provincial and territorial student aid offices, refer to Canada Student Grants and Loans - Apply with your province or territory.

First Nations, Métis, Inuit

Indigenous Services Canada has services available to help manage the estate of a deceased family member or friend who usually lived on a reserve. For more information, refer to Estate services for First Nations.

For information on reporting the death of a registered family member or friend, please refer to How to update information in the Indian Register - How to report the death of a registered family member or friend.