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Except as otherwise provided in section ten of this chapter, in the case of the death of an injured volunteer firefighter to whom there was due at the time of his or her death any benefits under the provisions of this chapter, the amount of such benefits shall be payable to the surviving spouse, if there be one, or, if none, to the surviving child or children of the deceased under the age of eighteen years, and if there be no surviving spouse or children, then to the dependents of such deceased or to any of them as the workers' compensation board may direct, and if there be no surviving spouse, children or dependents of such deceased, then to his or her estate. An award for disability may be made after the death of an injured volunteer firefighter.