Funeral Service Association of Canada Pleased with Working Relationship with Veterans Affairs on the Last Post Fund

OTTAWA, Nov. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Today members of the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) are on Parliament Hill meeting with Members of Parliament to discuss The Last Post Fund program.  FSAC was very pleased to work closely with the government on the increase to the available compensation for veterans' burials.

The Last Post Fund is a non-profit organization that offers financial benefits for funeral related expenses to eligible veterans and disability pensioners. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposed up to $65 million over two years to enhance the Funeral and Burial Program and by more than doubling the maximum available funeral services compensation rate from $3,600 to $7,376.

"In the last budget, the government made an important commitment that improves services to veterans while helping small businesses like ours," said Phil Fredette, Chair of the Government Relations Committee with the Funeral Service Association of Canada. "We look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure that government programs best meet the needs of those people who have given such an important service to Canada."

Today, delegates from FSAC are scheduled to meet with members of the Veterans Affairs committee and advisors from the minister's office to discuss how best they can work together to provide the best possible service for veterans funerals.

"We are encouraged by the work today and look forward to a productive relationship," concluded Phil Fredette. "Ultimately, our goals are the same: to properly thank the veterans that have fought to make Canada -and elsewhere - strong and free."

The Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC) is the leading national funeral professional association, and represents 85% of all deaths in Canada through numerous funeral homes, cemeteries and funeral service professionals across the country. In the countless services provided by our members, the most important aspect of a funeral is dignity. FSAC has been providing leadership and guidance to funeral providers for more than 80 years and works to improve the profession through advocacy and education. Please visit www.fsac.ca for additional information.

SOURCE: Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC)

For further information:

Kalene DeBaeremaeker
Public Affairs
Phone: [phone]
Cell: 613-857-1758
[email protected]