Overview
Funeral benefits are available to help eligible low-income Albertans when all other programs or sources of funding to cover funeral costs are not enough. Funeral benefits help cover the costs of a funeral service, burial or cremation for eligible Albertans.
These benefits can also help cover the cost to transport remains to another province or territory.
Eligibility
Deceased Albertans who were receiving benefits through the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and Income Support programs are eligible for funerals benefits
Albertans with low income may also be eligible if they meet the criteria listed below.
What is covered
The costs of burial or cremation within Alberta or transportation within Canada up to:
- $4,240 for cremation and funeral services, when the remains are not being placed in a cemetery
- $6,360 for cremation or burial and funeral services, when the remains are being placed in a cemetery
Potential expenses that may be included:
- basic administrative services from funeral service providers
- a ceremonial farewell
- embalming and other preparations
- cremation and burial costs, including:
- a casket or urn
- a cemetery plot or cremation internment
- cemetery care and maintenance fees
- grave opening and closing fees (required for burials)
- a grave liner (required for casket burials)
- transportation costs
- transportation to another province or territory for burial or cremation
- Funeral benefits will cover the costs of preparing the remains prior to shipping and the reasonable costs of transportation by road and by air-freight to another province or territory within Canada.
- Applicants will be expected to provide cost estimates and invoices.
Exceptional costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will need to explain and provide evidence of the need to exceed the maximum benefit amount.
These exceptions may be requested when applying (if all the required documents are available) or after you have been approved and arrangements are being finalized.
Required documents
You must provide documents as part of the application
Who can apply
The person applying for funeral benefits should be the person who is able to make final arrangements for the deceased.
The applicant does not have to be:
- a spouse or partner
- legal sponsor
- parents of a deceased minor
However, the applicant will need to coordinate with any of the people listed above to gather the required information to complete the application.
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Who has priority to apply
The applicant should be the person with the highest priority, as set out in Section 36 of the Funeral Services General Regulation, which is based on their relationship with the deceased individual. If the person who has the right to make arrangements is not available, or is unwilling, the right passes to the next person as listed below:
- the personal representative named in the will of the deceased
- the spouse or adult interdependent partner of the deceased, if they were living with the deceased at the time of death*
- an adult child of the deceased
- a parent of the deceased
- a legal guardian of the deceased – for both adults and minors
- an adult grandchild of the deceased
- an adult brother or sister of the deceased
- an adult nephew or niece of the deceased
- an adult next of kin of the deceased
- the Public Trustee
- an adult person having some relationship with the deceased not based on blood ties or affinity
- the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
* In some situations, the spouse or adult interdependent partner may not have been living with the individual who passed away, for example, a person was in a care facility due to health reasons.
How to apply
Forms and resources
Application forms in PDF format are also available on the application website.
PDF form issues
Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:
- Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
- Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.
If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.
After you apply
Funeral benefits program staff will review your application. This usually takes between 24 and 72 hours (1 to 3 business days).
A staff member may reach out by email, phone or letter to clarify information and will work with you to collect all the information required to make a decision. Once a decision is made, a staff member will send an email with the approval or denial details.
If approved, you will receive an email, or letter if you choose paper correspondence, with:
- the maximum amount you are entitled to for the services requested
- how to submit the quotes and invoices and death certificate for payment, if you have not already provided these with your application
- who to contact with questions
If denied, you will receive an email, or letter if you choose paper correspondence, explaining:
- the reason
- who to contact with questions
- how to provide additional information, if necessary
- your options, including the ability to appeal the decision
Payment
Once approved, a payment will be issued. In most situations, the approved payment is forwarded directly to the funeral service provider.
If you are a spouse or cohabiting partner of the deceased or a parent of a deceased minor you can chose to have the payments sent directly to you. By choosing this option, you agree to make payments to all service providers themselves.
Emergency reimbursements
If there was an emergency death situation and you were required to pay for funeral services, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
For deceased AISH clients
If an invoice was paid in full prior to the application being submitted, AISH may provide reimbursement if the request is received within 6 months of when the expense was incurred, if eligibility criteria would have been met at the time of payment.
For deceased Income Support clients and low income Albertans
If there was an emergency situation requiring the expense immediately, and all other eligibility criteria were met at the time of payment, and the funeral services were paid for within the last 6 months you may be apply for reimbursement.
How to apply for emergency reimbursement
Use the online application and select ‘Requesting reimbursement’. Provide all the details, all invoices, receipts of services and expenses.
Appeal a decision
If you were denied benefits or the full amount requested, you may appeal the decision. Details are provided in your email or letter of denial.
If you have any questions, or want clarification, contact us.
Contact
Connect with the Health and Funeral Benefits Unit if you have questions:
Office hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-638-4443
Toll-free: 1-855-638-4443
Email: [email protected] subject line: Funeral Benefits Application
Fax
To: Health and Funeral Benefits Unit
Subject line: Funeral Benefits Application
Fax: 780-643-9228
Toll-free fax: 1-855-643-9228
Health and Funeral Benefits Unit
Seniors, Community and Social Services
Government of Alberta
PO Box 805 Stn Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2L4
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