RCMP Funeral Traditions and Benefits
For RCMP members and their families, specific funeral traditions and benefits apply. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has ceremonial protocols developed since 1873 and specific support programs for members and their families.
RCMP funeral ceremonial elements
Red serge dress uniform
For active and retired members:
- Red serge tunic (the iconic RCMP dress uniform)
- Stetson hat or forage cap
- Specific ceremonial accoutrements
- Members of pallbearer party, honour guard, family escort wear red serge
Specific to service status — active members in full ceremonial; retired members may have specific arrangements.
Honour guard
For specific funerals (typically members killed in line of duty or senior officers):
- Honour guard of RCMP members
- Stand watch during visitation
- Pallbearer duties
- Specific formation during service
Mounted escort
Where applicable and feasible:
- RCMP Musical Ride mounted members or local mounted detachment
- Specific ceremonial protocol
- Procession from funeral home to cemetery
- Symbolic of the force's mounted heritage
Riderless horse
For senior officers killed in line of duty:
- Horse with empty saddle
- Boots reversed in the stirrups
- Symbolizes the fallen rider's final ride
- Specific protocol governing when used
- Powerful traditional symbolism
Flag-draped casket
- Canadian flag draped over casket
- Folded ceremonially during service
- Presented to family at end of service
Bugler
- Plays Last Post during service
- Sometimes Reveille at end
- Specific ceremonial protocols
Firing party
For specific ranks killed in line of duty:
- 3-volley salute
- Specific ceremonial protocol
- Powerful traditional element
Procession
For significant funerals:
- RCMP members in attendance in dress uniform
- Specific formation
- Long procession behind hearse
- Specific to community and circumstances
RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood
Location: Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa.
Significance: Dedicated section for RCMP members.
Established: Specific section recognizing RCMP National Memorial.
Burial eligibility:
- Active RCMP members killed in service
- Retired RCMP members per specific criteria
- Specific to RCMP recognition
Memorial:
- Specific monument honouring fallen members
- Names of those killed in service
- Open to public visit
Specific protocols: Coordinated through RCMP and Beechwood Cemetery administration.
Eligibility for ceremonial elements
Regular members: Active and retired regular members typically eligible.
Special constables: Specific protocols.
Auxiliary members: Some specific eligibility.
Civilian members: Some specific honours.
Reservists: Specific protocols.
Variation based on:
- Whether killed in line of duty
- Whether died of service-related injuries
- Whether death was while serving
- Years of service
- Specific recognition during service
Financial benefits
RCMP Pension Plan
Service pension: For qualifying service.
Survivor pension: For surviving spouse/common-law partner — typically 50% of member's pension.
Children's allowances: For dependent children.
Specific RCMP Pension Plan administration.
Last Post Fund (Veterans Affairs)
The Last Post Fund delivers the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program, which is built around Canadian Armed Forces and Allied Veteran service. RCMP families can access it where Veterans Affairs Canada determines under the Pension Act that the member's death was service-related:
- Funeral: Up to $7,376 (2024)
- Burial: Up to $3,308 (2024)
- Specific eligibility based on service history and circumstances — confirm directly with Veterans Affairs Canada or the Last Post Fund
- Application through Last Post Fund within 1 year of death
Group life insurance
RCMP members typically have group life insurance:
- Coverage based on rank and circumstances
- Specific RCMP benefits administration
- Beneficiary designation through RCMP
Specific to spouse/children
- CPP Survivor's Pension (federal)
- CPP Children's Benefit
- RCMP-specific family support
- Possibly Workers' Compensation if death was work-related
Coordinating an RCMP funeral
Initial contact:
- Local RCMP detachment for active members
- Local RCMP detachment for retired members (may need to verify status)
- RCMP National Headquarters for specific national ceremonial elements
Family role:
- Indicate level of ceremonial preferences
- Specific traditions desired
- Coordinate with funeral home
- Discuss with RCMP family liaison
Specific RCMP family support:
- RCMP Member Assistance Program
- Specific family support services
- Bereavement counselling
Recent RCMP ceremonial funerals
Specific high-profile examples (factual reference points):
- Members killed in line of duty receive full ceremonial honours
- Specific examples include Moncton 2014 (3 members killed), Mayerthorpe 2005 (4 members killed)
- These ceremonial funerals were public events of national significance
Pattern: When RCMP members are killed in line of duty, full ceremonial protocols are typically observed.
Specific to retired members
For retired members who died of natural causes:
- Family decides extent of ceremonial elements
- Coordinate with local RCMP detachment
- Specific honour guard or symbolic elements possible
- Less formal than line-of-duty funerals
Common elements for retired members:
- Red serge for family members who served
- Specific symbolic elements
- Coordination with funeral home
- Possible burial in RCMP National Memorial Cemetery (specific eligibility)
Specific to spouses of RCMP members
Spouses are not RCMP members but may have access to:
- Burial alongside RCMP member spouse
- Specific RCMP family services
- Specific bereavement support
Not all RCMP traditions apply to spouses — specific to circumstances.
What to discuss with RCMP
When coordinating funeral:
- Member's service history and current status
- Family preferences for ceremonial elements
- Specific traditions important to member or family
- Coordination with civilian funeral home
- Timeline and logistics
- Specific symbolic elements
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Funeral Pre-Planner captures specific funeral preferences — for RCMP members, this might include red serge for service members, mounted escort if desired, RCMP National Memorial Cemetery interest, specific ceremonial elements.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Royal Canadian Mounted Police — Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- [2]Beechwood Cemetery — Beechwood Cemetery
- [3]Last Post Fund — Last Post Fund
Frequently asked questions
What's the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery?
Located at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa (the National Cemetery of Canada). Dedicated section for RCMP members killed in service of Canada. Specific RCMP memorial including names of fallen members. Open for visit. Active and retired RCMP members may be buried in this section.
Who is entitled to RCMP funeral honours?
Specific protocols apply to — Regular members (active and retired); Special constables; Auxiliary members (specific provisions); Civilian members (some specific honours); Retired members of all categories. Specific to whether killed in line of duty, died from service-related injuries, or general retirement death.
What's involved in a full RCMP ceremonial funeral?
Specific elements may include — pallbearers in dress red serge; honour guard; mounted escort (where applicable); riderless horse for senior officers killed in line of duty; flag draped on casket; presentation of flag to family; bugler playing Last Post; specific ceremonial protocols; firing party for specific ranks; processional with RCMP members in attendance.
What's the riderless horse tradition?
For senior officers killed in line of duty. A horse with empty saddle and reversed boots in the stirrups (symbolizing the fallen rider's final ride). Origin in military and police tradition. Powerful symbolism. Specific protocol governing when used.
What financial benefits exist for RCMP families?
RCMP-specific pension and survivor benefits through RCMP Pension Plan; where Veterans Affairs Canada determines the death was service-related under the Pension Act, the family may also access the Veterans Affairs Funeral and Burial Program (Last Post Fund) — up to $7,376 funeral + $3,308 burial costs (2024 amounts); specific RCMP family support programs; group life insurance through RCMP benefits.
Can a former RCMP member have an RCMP funeral?
Yes — retired members typically have access to RCMP ceremonial elements per their family's wishes and RCMP coordination. Specific extent of formal honours varies based on circumstances, service history, and family preference. Coordinate with local RCMP detachment.