Help Right Now

No one is ever prepared for the death of a loved one. In the immediate days and weeks following the death you probably received an overwhelming amount of information or you were left feeling underprepared for what comes next.

You are invited to learn about professional and peer support options, connect with others through our forums, and access information on available benefits/entitlements. Here’s a few key services available to help you access important information and link you to services and supports when you need them, for as long as you need them.

Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) and Bereavement Services

A 24-hour, 1-800 bilingual telephone service, available 365 days a year to a parent, a spouse, children/stepchildren, a fiancé(e), and any other person of significance to the CAF member who has died while serving. You can access a professional counsellor by telephone from anywhere at any time. An appointment will be arranged within 48 hours. Short-term and long-term counselling options are available and are free of charge. For more information or an appointment call 1-800-268-7708 or 1-800-567-5803 for the hearing impaired.

Designated Assistant

Acts as a vital link between the Canadian Armed Forces, the loved one, their chosen Next of Kin, the personal representative, and any substitute decision-maker.

You may be eligible for support from a Designated Assistant if you are:

A serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces; and
Your Commanding Officer (CO) assigned a Designated Assistant to help you through a difficult situation; or

A chosen next of kin of:

An ill or injured CAF member who is eligible for support; or
A fallen soldier

What happens after a CAF member dies?

Following the death of a Canadian Armed Forces member, there is a series of events/processes that the surviving family will typically experience.

Contact your Military Family Resource Centre

They provide outreach, information and support to you and your family during this difficult time to help you get the help you need.

Military Family Resource Centre