Funeral Home Resource: Veterans Benefits and Resources
If you or the deceased is a military veteran, you
probably qualify for special veterans death and funeral benefits. Benefits are
available to veterans who were discharged or separated from active duty under
conditions (other than dishonourable) who have completed the required period of
service, or U.S. Armed Forces members who die during active duty. Spouses and
dependent children of eligible living and deceased veterans, and of current and
deceased armed forces members, may also be eligible. Full details and
requirements are listed at: http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil . You can also call the Department of Veterans
Affairs at 800- 827-1000 or contact them through their website, www.va.gov.
If you qualify for Social
Security benefits, you should go to
the Social Security office before going to the Veteran's Administration office.
Before you can
file for Veterans Death Benefits, you will need:
- Certified copy of or original DD214 (Enlisted
Record of Separation)
- Certified copy of or original marriage
certificate
- Certified copy of Death Certificate
- Verification of amount of life insurance you
will receive as a result of veteran's death
- Paid receipts for funeral and cemetery expense
- Paid receipts for hospital and doctor bills
incurred by last illness, if applicable
- Social Security number for yourself and your
dependent children
- If the veteran or yourself was previously
married, you will need a certified copy of or original divorce decree, or
a Death Certificate proving the previous marriage was dissolved by divorce
or death
- If there are dependent children: For children
under the age of 18, or over 18 and still in school, you need certified
copies of original birth certificates for each. If the dependent children
are over 18 and still in school, you will need VA Form 21-674 filled out.
- If either of you currently receive Social
Security benefits, you will need to know the exact amount received for
each of you
- If you already have a VA claim number, you
must furnish the VA with the claim number you have been assigned
- If either of you receive additional income,
the source and exact amount of the benefit must be reported to the VA
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Burial Grave in a National
Cemetery
Burial in a National Cemetery is available for those who are eligible. This
includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care.
Many national cemeteries have columbaria niches for the inurnment of cremated
remains or special sections for burial of cremated remains.
Headstones and Markers
Headstones and markers for the graves of veterans and eligible dependents are
available anywhere in the world for graves that are not already marked. The
marker will be consistent with the styles permitted by the cemetery or memorial
garden and include flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, and upright marble
types. Bronze niche markers are also available to mark columbaria in national
cemeteries.
Burial at Sea
Burial at sea is still a common practice, especially for service members who
dedicated their life to the Navy. Burial at sea services are performed while
the vessel is on official manoeuvres; therefore, it is not possible for the
family to be present. The family is notified by the commanding officer of that
vessel of the date, time, longitude, and latitude of the committal service.
Individuals eligible for this program are members of the uniformed services,
veterans discharged under honorable conditions,
United States civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command, and
dependents of members, retirees, and veterans of the uniformed services.
Burials at Sea embark from one of seven ports that include:
Norfolk, Virginia
Naval Medical Center
620 John Paul Jones Circle
Portsmouth, Virginia 23708-5100
(804) 398-5573
Newport, Rhode Island
Naval Hospital
Newport, Rhode Island 02841-5003
(401) 841-4128
Jacksonville, Florida
Naval Hospital Branch Clinic
Naval Station
Mayport, Florida 32228
(904) 270-5303
Long Beach, California
Naval Hospital
Long Beach, California 90822-5199
(310) 420-5263
San Diego, California
Naval Hospital
San Diego, California 92134-5000
(619) 532-8323
San Francisco, California
Naval Hospital
Oakland, California 94627-5000
(510) 633-5692
Bremerton, Washington
Naval Hospital
Bremerton, Washington 98312-5008
(206) 478-9388
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Presidential Memorial
Certificate
The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment document with a
calligraphic inscription expressing the nation's grateful recognition of the
veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed, and the certificate bears
the signature of the President and the presidential seal in gold foil.
Reimbursement of Burial Expenses
The United States Government provides a $300 burial and funeral expense
allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive
pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for
receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility is also established when death occurs
in a Veterans’ Administration facility or a nursing home which the Veterans’
Administration contracted, and additional costs of transportation of the
remains may be reimbursed in those cases. Claims must be filed within two years
after permanent burial or cremation.
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United States Burial Flag
The United States Government provides an American flag to drape the casket of a
veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonourable. After the
funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a close associate
of the deceased.