Yes if they qualified to be a dependent as of the date of death. 

Who can I claim as my dependent?

You can claim a child, relative, friend, fiancé (etc.) as a dependent on your 2017 taxes as long as they meet the following requirements for either a Qualifying Child or a Qualifying Relative:

Qualifying child

·         They are related to you.

·         They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.

·         They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

·         They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.

·         They are under the age of 19 (or 24 for full-time students).

o    No age limit for permanently and totally disabled children.

·         They live with you for more than half the year (exceptions apply).

Qualifying relative

·         They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).

·         They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.

·         They are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.

·         They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.

·         They lived with you the entire year.

·         They made less than $4,050 in 2017(not including SS benefits).

·         You provided more than half of their financial support. More info

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them.

·         Does a dependent have to live with me?

·         What does "financially support another person" mean?

·         Can I claim a newborn baby?