A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
A provincial state of emergency remains in effect due to numerous wildfires.
For wildfire related information, call the 24-hour info line at 310-4455 (available in 200+ languages) or visit alberta.ca/emergency.
Funeral benefits may be available to help pay for funeral arrangements of eligible Albertans.
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.
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.
The costs of burial or cremation within Alberta or transportation within Canada up to:
Potential expenses that may be included:
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.
You must provide documents as part of the application
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:
However, the applicant will need to coordinate with any of the people listed above to gather the required information to complete the application.
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:
* 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.
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:
If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.
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:
If denied, you will receive an email, or letter if you choose paper correspondence, explaining:
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.
If there was an emergency death situation and you were required to pay for funeral services, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
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.
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.
Use the online application and select ‘Requesting reimbursement’. Provide all the details, all invoices, receipts of services and expenses.
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.
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
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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