New Brunswick

Funeral Benefit

Moderate application

Tax filing not required

The Funeral Benefit helps New Brunswick families who are unable to pay for funeral costs.

The Funeral Benefit covers the costs of a basic funeral. A basic funeral has several options that families can choose between.

  1. Casket or Cremation Service:

Families can choose to respect the wishes of their loved one by choosing between a casket service or cremation service.

  1. Costs that are covered for a Casket Service:

A basic casket Embalming Costs that are covered for a Cremation Service:

Preparation for cremation Cremation container Also, you can choose to include a visitation and/ or a funeral service.

  1. Costs that are covered for a Public Visitation:

A two-hour visitation at a Funeral Home or other location. A casket viewing can be provided when a family has chosen a cremation service.

  1. Costs that are covered for a Funeral/ Memorial Service:

Funeral service at a funeral home or other location.

Please note that the following costs are not covered by this program:

  • Casket cap panels
  • Cemetery plot or niche
  • Cement, steel, fibreglass or plastic vault
  • Flowers
  • Funeral notices, death notices, obituaries
  • Honorarium for the Minister
  • Honorarium of the organist
  • Honorarium for the singer(s)
  • Monument or monument inscription
  • Register book, acknowledgement cards or personalized memorial folders or memorialization products/ merchandise
  • Suitable clothing
  • Urn
  • Wooden grave liner

You may qualify for this benefit if you are:

  • Any family who resides in New Brunswick and is unable to pay the costs of a family member’s funeral
  • The deceased individual must have been a resident of New Brunswick at the time of passing.

Please note the Department of Social Development will assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis. They will look at several factors when assessing if you’re eligible for the Funeral Benefit.

Your household income (earnings, allowances, pensions, revenue from business and investments, etc.) and living expenses, including funeral costs, will be reviewed and considered to determine if the individual’s estate or family members within the household are able to pay for funeral costs.

Family members who do not live in the household may be asked if they can contribute toward the cost of the funeral.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) death benefit is a one-time, lump-sum payment to the estate on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor. If you’re approved for a basic funeral, the CPP death benefit must be signed over to the Department of Social Development.

Documents listed in this section are examples of what can be included with your application. Please review the application instructions (How to Apply tab) to confirm the supplemental and required documents for this benefit.

During the application process you may be asked to provide the following:

You will need documents that show how much money the deceased, their spouse and any other family members in the household would have. These include:

  • Pay stubs,
  • Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA),
  • Canada Pension Plan (CPP) statement,
  • Old Age Security (OAS) statement,
  • GST Credit

You will also need to bring the following documents:

  • Name, date of birth, social insurance number, Medicare number and last address of the deceased.
  • Income of the deceased — last deposit for the deceased will be required.
  • Bank information — trust accounts, insurance, all assets (homes, vehicles) and individual(s) who will acquire them upon death.
  • Copy of the will if one exists.
  • Copy of the obituary.
  • Coverage under Veterans Affairs Canada — Last Post Fund if eligible.
  • Names, addresses and telephone numbers of all immediate family members.

Please click here to view the application instructions and details.

Families and applicants are encouraged to call as soon as possible after the deceased has passed away to apply for the Funeral Benefit.

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026