OTTAWA, Ont. – Only days before Remembrance Day, the federal government has created a new way to pay respect to men and women who have died serving our country.

A Memorial Ribbon will be handed out to close family and friends of fallen soldiers as a small token of remembrance and respect.

The ribbon can be issued to all Canadian Forces Members’ loved ones who have died since October 1, 1947.

However, the announcement comes as the government faces stinging criticism from veterans, who are upset that more than two-thirds of impoverished vets applying for financial assistance with their funerals have been rejected since 2006.

The veterans affairs minister will not commit to changing the criteria for the last post fund.