Veterans Benefits
Veteran's Benefits for Funerals and Cremations
Our funeral directors can assist you in acquiring, completing and submitting many of the required forms and documents necessary to obtain your burial benefits. Your family will need the following items at the time of death to receive the VA burial benefits for which you are eligible:
- Proof of military service (DD 214)
- Service serial number
- Marriage license (if applicable)
- Children’s birth certificates (if applicable)
- Certified copy of death certificate
Our funeral directors will contact the VA National Cemetery in which the burial is desired at the time of death and will assist your family with all the details. You can also call the Veterans Administration at 1-800-827-1000 for more information.
Military Funeral Honors Ceremony
The basic Military Funeral Honors ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran’s family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces. At least one member of the detail will be a representative of the parent Service of the deceased veteran. Taps may be played by a bugler, or if a bugler is not available, by using a quality recorded version. This basic service will be provided to every eligible veteran, when requested. Depending upon the culture and traditions of the Military Service, additional personnel or other elements of funeral honors may be added.
In addition, local Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), who have historically performed Military Funeral Honors, and other authorized organizations may complement the Military Funeral Honors detail. For example, the VSOs might augment the ceremony by providing a firing party. This voluntary assistance would be in addition to the services provided by the Military Funeral Honors detail. If a VSO or authorized organization in the area expresses an interest in assisting the Military Funeral Honors ceremony, and if desired by the family, our funeral directors will notify the Military Service point of contact.
Who is eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
For more information on Military Funeral Honors, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and answers to frequently asked questions are at the Military Funeral Honors website: www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil. The website contains up-to-date information and links to other related websites.
Veteran’s Funeral & Cremation Benefits
Do the benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cover all the funeral or cremation arrangements of an honorably discharged veteran?
No, although it is commonly believed that the VA pays for all funeral or cremation arrangements of an honorably discharged veteran. Certain monetary, recognition, and service benefits may be available. However, reimbursement for funeral or cremation service expenses is limited, and usually only applies to veterans who:
- retired from the Armed Services, or were disabled due to a service-related injury, or
- died in a VA hospital or while in a nursing home under VA contract
Standard guidelines are provided as an overview, but only the VA can rule on your exact benefits. Contact them directly for your individual situation or have one of our funeral directors assist you.
How does one verify military service?
A “Report of Separation From the Armed Forces of the United States” (discharge papers) is normally required to verify military service, most commonly called the “DD 214”. If this report or its equivalent is not available, a “Request Pertaining to Military Records, Standard Form 180”, can be sent to the Military National Personnel Record Center. A copy of the Report of Separation will be mailed to the veteran, deceased veteran’s next of kin or other persons or organizations that are authorized to receive it. If you do not have the DD 214 at the time of death, our funeral directors can help you obtain one.
Will my family receive a United States flag?
Most veterans are eligible for a United States flag. Only one flag is provided per veteran. A flag is provided at no cost to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran. Generally, the flag is given to the next of kin. Extra flags may be provided at an additional expense. Our funeral directors can assist you in locating a local provider of quality affordable flags.
To obtain the flag, an “Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes” (VA Form 21-2008) must be submitted along with a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers. Flags may be obtained from VA regional offices and most U.S. Post Offices or our funeral home.
How is the military funeral honor ceremony scheduled?
As of January 1, 2000, and upon the family’s request, the law requires that every eligible veteran receive a military honors funeral ceremony, which includes the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of “Taps.”
The ceremony is performed by a military funeral honors detail consisting of two or more uniformed military persons and at least one member of the veteran’s branch of the Armed Forces.
The Department of Defense requires that the funeral director request military honors on behalf of the veteran’s family. Our funeral directors work with various veteran organizations to assist in the provision of military funeral honors.
Am I entitled to a free veteran’s casket?
No. Neither the VA nor the various branches of service provide a free casket for a deceased veteran, unless death occurs while on active duty.
Will there be any monetary burial benefits available if I choose not to be buried in a VA National Cemetery?
Veterans buried in a private cemetery may be eligible to receive a partial reimbursement for their burial costs. For non-service related deaths, a burial expense allowance (up to $300) and a plot allowance (up to $300) may be given. If a death is service related, other benefits may be paid for burial expenses.
In order to be eligible to receive a VA burial allowance you must meet the following conditions:
- payment for the veteran’s burial was made without any reimbursement from a government agency or any other source and,
- a veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
- the veteran died because of a service-related disability, or
- the veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation, or
- the veteran died in a VA hospital or nursing home VA contract
To determine the final reimbursement amount, an “Application for Burial Benefits” (VA Form 21-530) must be submitted within two years from the date of the veteran’s permanent burial.
Am I eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery?
In general, any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies while on active duty or any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable is entitled to burial in a VA National Cemetery. Under certain conditions, the spouse or unremarried surviving spouse and minor children of an eligible person are also entitled to this benefit.
Burial in a VA National Cemetery includes:
- an assigned gravesite (if space is available)
- opening and closing of the grave
- a grave liner for casketed remains
- a government headstone or marker
- perpetual care at no cost to the family
Cremated remains are buried or inurned in VA National Cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
How can my family request a marker or headstone for a burial space in a private cemetery?
Any deceased veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable is eligible for a standard Government headstone or marker. The VA, upon request, and at no charge to the applicant, will furnish a Government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world.
Flat markers are available in granite, marble, and bronze; and upright markers in granite and marble. The style must be consistent with existing monuments or markers at the place of burial. Niche style markers for cremated remains are also available.
An “Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veteran’s Cemetery” (VA Form 40-1330) must be submitted.
How does my family obtain a “Presidential Memorial Certificate?”
Initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, a “Presidential Memorial Certificate” is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged, deceased veterans.
Eligible recipients of the certificate include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be requested.
Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail. Our funeral directors can assist you in obtaining this certificate.
How does one request the issuance or replacement of military service medals, awards and decoration?
Military service medals, awards and decorations are available from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), which is under the jurisdiction of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Family members may request medals and awards for living veterans only if they have obtained their signed authorization. For deceased veterans, requests will be accepted from the next-of-kin (unremarried widow or widower, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister of the deceased veteran).
Requests should be submitted in writing to the appropriate military service branch division of the NPRC. The Standard Form (SF 180), available through the VA, is recommended to submit your request. Normally there is no charge for medal or award replacements. For more information, or for the mailing address for the military branch office in which to submit your request, please call 314-538-2050 or visit the website of the National Archives and Records Administration at www.nara.gov.
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