10 VERY IMPORTANT Veteran Funeral Benefits Facts!

The following is a list of 10 very important facts about veteran funeral benefits. Please review them and contact us if you need any help making any arrangements for a veteran’s funeral, cremation or memorial service.  Many people are confused about the benefits that veterans are entitled to, making these 10 facts important to learn and understand:

#1 - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits do not cover all the funeral or cremation arrangements of honorably discharged veterans.

There are certain monetary, recognition and service benefits that may be available. However, reimbursement for funeral or cremation service expenses is limited, and usually only applies to veterans who:

• Retire 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.


#2 - You will need documentation to verify military service.

In order to verify military service, you will need to provide discharge papers – also known as the DD-214 Form. If the family does not have this paperwork available at the time of the individual’s death, they can visit https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records to obtain them.  The funeral home can also help to obtain these records.


#3 - A veteran’s family must request a United States flag.
A flag is provided free of charge, and can be used to drape over the casket or accompany the cremation urn of the veteran who has passed away. The flag is presented to the next of kin. In order to obtain this flag, the family should complete an Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes form (Form 27-2008) and provide a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214 Form).

A flag is provided at no cost to drape the casket or accompany the cremation urn of a deceased veteran. Generally, the flag is presented to the next of kin. Only one flag may be provided per veteran. Upon the request of the family, 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 (DD-214 Form). Flags may be obtained from VA regional offices and most U.S. Post Offices. For your family’s convenience, we will request your flag and have it present for the services if you utilize our funeral home for final arrangements.


#4 - Military Funeral Honors ceremonies must be scheduled in advance.
Federal law states that every eligible veteran must receive a military funeral honors ceremony, including the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of taps, should the family request such a service.
This Department of Defense program calls for the funeral home to request military funeral honors on behalf of the veteran’s family.  We will coordinate with the veteran’s organizations to assist in the provision of military funeral honors.


#5 - Veterans’ caskets are not free of charge.
Neither the VA nor the branches of the armed services offer a free casket for a deceased veteran, except in the instance that death occurred while on active duty.


#6 - A Presidential Memorial Certificate must be requested.
The Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved paper certificate that is signed by the current president, to honor the memory of an honorably discharged, deceased veteran. To receive this prestigious certificate, the family of the veteran can apply by completing a Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form (Form 40-0247) at any VA regional office or send in by U.S. mail.


#7 - For those veterans who are not buried in a VA national cemetery, monetary burial benefits are limited.
Those who are buried in a private cemetery may be eligible for a partial reimbursement to cover burial costs. This typically includes a $700 burial allowance and a $700 plot allowance.
In order 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.


# 8 - There are requirements that must be met in order to bury a person in a VA national cemetery.
Those who died while on active duty and veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are entitled to be buried in a VA national cemetery.  Under certain conditions, the non-remarried 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 if 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.

#9 - Headstones for burial space in a private ceremony must be requested.
At no charge to the family, the VA will provide a government headstone or marker for the grave of a deceased eligible veteran.  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. 

#10 - Replacement military service medals or awards must be requested in writing.
The next of kin is able to ask for replacements of awards or decorations. If the veteran is still alive, they must provide their signed authorization in order to allow family members to ask for replacements.


Understanding the benefits that your veteran is eligible for ensures that they get the kind of burial that fully acknowledges their service to their country.

Original Article: agingcare.com