In Quebec, many of us believe that everyone should be able to end their life with dignity. Yet a troubling reality persists: for too many families, providing a decent funeral for a loved one becomes a financial burden that is difficult, if not impossible, to bear.
It is against this backdrop that Little Brothers, FADOQ and the Coalition pour la dignité des aînés (CDA) have sounded the alarm with a public statement calling for an urgent review of the death benefit under the Quebec Pension Plan (RRQ).
A benefit that has remained unchanged for nearly 30 years
Unchanged since 1998, the amount of the RRQ’s death benefit – set at the time at $2,500 – no longer reflects current economic realities at all.
Yet the cost of living has risen considerably since then. Today, basic funeral costs are around $4,000 and often exceed $7,000. Once taxes and other deductions have been applied, the current benefit therefore covers only a very limited portion of the actual expenses.
As a result, many families have to make up the shortfall themselves… or settle for minimal arrangements, which are often emotionally distressing.
An increasingly worrying reality
On the ground, organisations are witnessing increasingly problematic situations. Due to a lack of resources, some people end their lives without being able to receive a funeral service worthy of the name.
In the most extreme cases, bodies are cremated without ceremony, and the ashes end up in what amounts to mass graves. This is a reality that is difficult to accept in a society that prides itself on solidarity and respect for the dignity of every individual.
As Catherine Harel Bourdon, Chair and Chief Executive of Les Petits Frères, points out, this is an unacceptable situation that particularly affects vulnerable older people.
A practical and accessible solution
In response to this situation, Little Brothers and their partners are proposing a simple and realistic measure: to increase the death benefit to $5,000 and index it annually so that it keeps pace with the cost of living. It is important to note that this increase could be funded without any direct impact on the government’s budget. According to our research, the RRQ has sufficient reserves to absorb this adjustment whilst maintaining its financial stability.
A growing challenge
The urgency to act is all the greater given that, by 2030, more than one million people will be aged 75 or over. Furthermore, the number of deaths has, for the first time, exceeded the number of births.
Against this backdrop, end-of-life issues, such as the care of the deceased, will inevitably intensify. Already, the rise in the number of unclaimed bodies is well documented and represents a worrying social issue.
Preserving dignity until the very end
Revising the RRQ’s death benefit would be a recognition that human dignity does not end with the last breath. This measure would also provide significant support for families and loved ones at a time that is already emotionally charged.
In short, this is not simply a financial issue — but a choice for society as a whole.
