To be eligible for financial assistance for funeral expenses, an applicant must show that:
- a violent act occurred
- the person passed away as a direct result of the violent act (that they were a primary victim), and
- the applicant has incurred expenses for their funeral, or will incur funeral expenses in the future.[40]
A person applying for funeral expenses does not have to be a victim themselves and does not have to establish a particular relationship with the primary victim.
When applying for funeral expenses, the FAS must be satisfied that the person who passed away did so directly because of a violent act, and that they fit the requirements of a primary victim. This will include considering the character of the primary victim.
✅ Eligible for funeral expenses Example: Danielle was violently assaulted by her partner, resulting in serious head injuries which left her in a coma on life support. Eventually, the decision was made to turn off her life support and her partner was charged with murder. Danielle’s mother paid for her memorial service and burial. The FAS provided funeral assistance to Danielle’s mother as she had paid for the funeral, and as Danielle passed away because of the violent act. |
If an applicant is also a primary, secondary or related victim, they can apply for funeral expenses at the same time as other types of assistance. Funeral expenses are treated separately and do not count as a part of the maximum amount of financial assistance available to victims.[41]
Footnotes
[40] Section 17(1) of the Act.
[41] Section 17(2) of the Act.
Updated