We are advocating for a national bereavement support program that provides families with free, timely and coordinated grief, funeral, financial, estate and practical supports following the death of a loved one.

Families should have access to coordinated support without having to figure out where to turn while they are grieving.

The Need

The death of a loved one can leave families facing profound grief while also navigating funeral arrangements, financial concerns, estate responsibilities, and the needs of children and other family members. 

Although bereavement and community services exist across Canada, access varies and families may be left to navigate multiple systems on their own during an exceptionally vulnerable time.

The Proposal

We are calling on the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, to establish a National Hospital Based Bereavement Support Program.

Hospitals would provide a point of access to a trained bereavement professional who could assess the family’s needs, provide guidance, coordinate services and facilitate follow up.

The program would complement existing healthcare, social service, community and bereavement services.

The program should provide:

Bereavement navigation and follow up

● A trained professional to help families understand their options and navigate available services and benefits.

● Individualized referrals and follow up based on family needs.

Funeral planning and coordination

● Access to a bereavement funeral coordinator who can assist with organizing a funeral or memorial service.

● Coordination with funeral homes and other service providers while respecting cultural, religious, spiritual and personal preferences.

Basic funeral expense assistance

● A publicly funded allowance toward eligible basic funeral or cremation expenses.

● Families choosing arrangements above the established allowance will be responsible for paying the difference

Estate and administrative support

● Guidance regarding estates, wills, documentation, government benefits, insurance, pensions and employment-related matters.

● Referrals to qualified legal and financial professionals when required.

Grief and family support

● Access to grief counselling, bereavement services and support groups.

● Trauma informed support following sudden or traumatic deaths.

● Specialized bereavement services for children and youth.

● Connections to longer term supports when needed.

Practical support

● Assistance identifying and accessing resources related to food, transportation, housing, childcare and financial hardship.

Guiding Principles

The program should be free at the point of access, equitable, accessible, person and family centred, trauma informed, culturally responsive, confidential and respectful of individual choice and dignity.

Our Request

We’re calling on the Government of Canada to work with provincial and territorial governments to establish, fund and support a National Hospital Based Bereavement Support Program, ensuring that residents across Canada can access timely and coordinated support following the death of a loved one.

The program should be developed in consultation with bereaved families, people with lived experience, social workers, healthcare professionals, bereavement specialists, Indigenous communities, cultural organizations, funeral professionals and community based organizations.

Every family deserves access to support.

If this is a cause that resonates with you, I invite you to sign and share this petition to help make accessible, coordinated, and equitable bereavement support available to families across Canada through our hospitals. 

Thank you so much for your support!