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Field of Honor
As a permanent memorial to men and women who served their country in time of war, a "Field of Honour" is maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada ( VAC ) is Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. John's. This is the only Field of Honour in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Established in the early '80s, the Field of Honour may be used by ex-military members and their spouses. Divided into two sections, old and new, there have been over 350 interments of military personnel or approximately 700 when including spouses. Each plot contains 2 graves. This is possible because each plot is excavated to "double depth" or to a depth 2 or 3 feet deeper than a traditional grave, in order to accommodate 2 caskets with outer containers or burial vaults placed on top of each other.
There is no distinction made between the rank or status of the veterans buried in the Field of Honour. Generals lie beside privates, highly decorated beside those who achieved no battle acclaim, the wealthy beside those who died penniless. A military style headstone consisting of grayish colour granite cross, appropriately inscribed with the name of the veteran, spouse and veteran's branch of service is placed on each grave.
Eligibility
Veterans wishing to be interred in the Field of Honour must first be deemed eligible by Veterans Affairs or the Last Post Fund ( LPF ).
The Last Post Fund is a non-profit corporation, which operates in co-operation with and is supported financially by Veterans Affairs Canada. It's primary purpose is to ensure, where possible, that no eligible Canadian War Veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial for lack of sufficient funds at the time of their death.
For wartime service, deceased veterans are eligible if they served in active duty during the First World War ( August 4, 1914 to August 14, 1921); Second World War ( September 1, 1939 to September 30, 1947) or military operations undertaken by the United Nations to restore peace in the Republic or Korea, at any time prior to October 31, 1953.
A veteran's military service may be confirmed by the funeral director at the time of need by requesting a plot in the Field of Honour on behalf of the family. The administrator of the cemetery will contact VAC/LPF to determine eligibility. Verbal confirmation is accepted by the cemetery.
Cost summary
As the LPF administers the operations of the Field of Honour for VAC, a family member must meet with their representative to sign an undertaking outlining the rules, regulations and costs of burial in the Field of Honour. The same procedure is required regardless of whether the veteran or the veteran's spouse dies first.
Old section
All existing graves in the old section are occupied with burials at double depth. Outside wooden shells are required for both the first and second burials.
New section
In the new section concrete burial vaults have been placed at double depth in all plots ready for occupancy. When death of the second spouse occurs, burial will take place at regular depth and a concrete vault will again be required.
Revised Jan 28, 2004
| Burial in new section when veteran or spouse dies first | |
| Plot | $400.00 |
| Opening and closing (double depth) | $575.00 |
| Concrete burial vault (mandatory provided by VAC) | $570.00 |
| Headstone (includes cost of inscription) | $520.00 |
| Subtotal $2065.00 |
| 15% HST $309.75 |
| Total $2374.75 |
| Burial in new section when second spouse dies | |
| Plot (previously paid at time of spouse's death) | N/A |
| Opening and closing (second death in double depth plot) | $575.00 |
| Concrete burial vault (mandatory provided by VAC) | $570.00 |
| Inscription on headstone (second name) | $173.91 |
| Subtotal $1318.91 |
| 15% HST $197.84 |
| Total $1516.75 |
For those veterans who are not eligible for financial assistance, the veteran's family or estate will be required to pay $2,374.75, at the time of the first spouse's death and $1516.75 when the second spouse dies, for burial in the new section of the Field of Honour.
As all plots in the old section are occupied with the exception, in some cases, of the second spouse the only variance in the cost will be between a concrete vault and an outside wooded shell. As the wooden shell is provided by the funeral home rather than VAC, the cost will vary. Assuming an average cost of $250, the veteran's family or estate will be required to pay $1148.75 when the second spouse dies.
When financial assistance is required
Veterans and their families requiring financial assistance may apply to the Last Post Fund. Depending on the circumstances or preferences, applicants for benefits through the LPF may apply for either "LPF Standard Service" or "LPF Assisted Services." LPF Standard Services may be applied for at the time of death or up to one year after the time of death.
When traditional funeral services are requested the LPF will pay up to a maximum of $3600, plus HST for the services of one funeral home and $4100, plus HST when two funeral homes are required. The LPF will also pay additional services such as non-local transportation, cremation, provision of rental casket and urn, special preparation of the remains, provision of an oversized or hermetically sealed casket, a single grave, opening and closing of the grave, lowering device, grass matting, rental or winter storage, a grave liner or vault and a LPF Standard Marker.
LPF National Field of Honour
The LFP maintains its own military cemetery, the National Field of Honour, at Pointe-Claire, Quebec, near Montreal. The cost of burial in this Field of Honour is modest. Many veterans have prearranged their graves. Prearrangements may be made by applying to the LPF Quebec Branch, 685 Cathcart Street, Suite 921, Montreal, PQ H3M1M7 or telephoning (514) 866 2888.
More Information
For more information about the Field of Honour or funeral and burial assistance and benefits, you may contact Maxine King at the LPF, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch Office in St. John's (telephone 579 4288).
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