Veterans' Funeral
& Burial Benefits
- Including Spouses
and Dependents
- What You Get
and What You Don't
- Veterans
All veterans are
entitled to burial in a national cemetery, a grave marker (regardless
of the cemetery), and a flag. Spouses and dependent children are also
entitled to a lot and marker but only in a national cemetery. There
will be no charges for opening or closing the grave, a vault or liner,
or setting the marker in a national cemetery. Depending on the circumstances,
a family will be responsible for all other expenses including transportation
to the cemetery.
Death during active
duty. All funeral expenses will be paid by the military-body preparation,
casket, transportation to the place of disposition, interment (if in
a national cemetery), and marker. In addition, next-of-kin are entitled
to a "death gratuity" of $6,000.
Death due to a service
related injury. There is a $2,000 "burial allowance" for these
veterans which may be used to cover some of the funeral director's expenses,
the casket, and transportation to the cemetery. IF death occurred in
a VA facility, transport of the body to the cemetery will be paid, provided
it is no farther than the last place of residence.
If burial is not in a national cemetery, there is a $300 "interment
allowance," but it is unlikely that will cover opening and closing
or vault charges, let alone the cost of the lot. Although a marker is
available at no charge, the private cemetery will probably have a setting
fee.
Non-service related
death in a VA facility OR while collecting a VA pension or disability
compensation. There is a $300 "burial allowance" which may
be used to defray some of the usual funeral expenses. Although burial
in a national cemetery is free to these veterans, all other mortuary
expenses are the responsibility of the family. Transportation to a national
cemetery (not farther than the residence of the deceased) will be provided
only if the death occurs in a VA facility. The $300 interment allowance
applies when burial is in other than a national cemetery.
Death of a veteran
outside a VA facility, not receiving military pension or compensation.
The $2,000 and $300 benefits do not apply, nor is there reimbursement
for transportation to the cemetery. The lot in a national cemetery,
any required vault, interment, a marker, and flag are the only burial
benefits. If interment is in other than a national cemetery, the family
is responsible for the cost of the lot, opening and closing charges,
the vault, and any fee charged for setting the government marker if
that is selected. The family must also bear all other funeral costs.
Spouse and Dependents
A spouse and dependents
of an eligible veteran are entitled to burial in a national cemetery
even if the veteran is not buried there.
A spouse who remarries
a nonveteran and whose marriage ends in death or divorce may claim burial
rights from the prior marriage.
Spouses receiving military pay and who die in a military medical facility
are eligible for military transport to the nearest national cemetery
or no farther than the last permanent residence.
Adult children of
veterans are entitled to burial benefits only if disabled and dependent.
Others Who May
be Eligible
There are
a number of others eligible for veterans' burial benefits if the person
has provided military-related service. The list is quite long and includes
civilians who were involved with military efforts during war-time. Members
of the National Guard and Reserves with 20 years of service are eligible.
Some Public Health Service personnel are also eligible. You should inquire
if you believe you might be entitled to such benefits.
Persons Not Eligible
- Remarried spouses
wedded to a nonvet
- Divorced spouses
- Adult children
- Parents, siblings
and others-even if they are dependents
- Those with a
dishonorable discharge
- Those convicted
of subversive activities and capital crimes
Markers
Memorials are available to all veterans, spouses, and dependent children
buried in a national cemetery and will be set without charge. Markers
are available for veterans only-not spouse or dependents-for use in
other cemeteries unless the grave has already been marked by a private
memorial. The installation cost must be borne by the family when in
a non-government cemetery. Several styles of markers are available and
must be consistent with existing monuments. Niche markers for cremains
are also available.
Inscription must
include name, branch of service, year of birth, year of death-in this
order-and may include emblem of belief, rank, and decorations earned.
At private expense, additional items-such as nick-names and terms of
endearment-may be added but must be approved by the VA.
Miscellaneous
Benefits & Other Information
You may not reserve space in a national cemetery ahead of time; arrangements
are made only at the time of death. Therefore, there is no guarantee
that spouses will be interred side-by- side.
- Burials in a
national cemetery are not usually conducted on weekends.
- National cemeteries
provide space for both body burial and cremated remains.
- Check with the
cemetery regarding gravesite adornments other than natural cut flowers.
- Military honors
or a funeral honor guard may be available from nearby military installations
or veterans groups. Fly-overs are reserved for those on active duty
at the time of death.
- A flag is provided
on request for the burial of any veteran. Apply through the VA and
pick up at a U.S. Post Office. Family members may wish to purchase
a flag case for later display, available through private sources.
- Next-of-kin,
other relatives or friends may request a "Presidential Memorial
Certificate." More than one may be requested.
- A family may
apply directly to the VA for all benefits. Although it may be convenient
to let the undertaker do so, you may wish to ask if the mortician
charges for submitting claims.
- When the body
of a veteran without next-of-kin is unclaimed from a VA facility and
the estate is without sufficient assets, the VA will assume responsibility
for burial.
- Other than for
sea burial, there are NO casket requirements for routine body burial.
An undertaker handling the unclaimed body of a vet must supply something
more durable than cardboard, unless the body is to be cremated.
- "No-fee"
passports are available for family visiting overseas grave-sites or
memorials.
- The National
Cemetery System may be asked to do a search to locate anyone interred
in a national cemetery. In addition to general vital statistics, you
will need to know the state from which the veteran entered military
service.
- There are STATE-run
veterans cemeteries that may offer the same or similar benefits, with
some restrictions. For a listing of VA cemeteries, check
http://cem.va.gov
Caution!
The VA has gotten
complaints from vets who were approached by commercial funeral outfits
offering free cemetery lots or other so-called veterans benefits. They
DO NOT represent the U.S. government! Be sure to ask:
- Must you also
purchase another lot?
- Where is it located?
How much will it cost?
- Is "perpetual
care" additional?
- What are the
costs for opening and closing each grave?
- Must certain
memorials be purchased through the cemetery?
- What are the
costs for setting memorials?
- Is a vault required?
Even for cremated remains? May it be purchased elsewhere?
- Are there marker
or planting restrictions?
- What are the
"administrative" charges?
- Who owns the
cemetery? Are there nearby municipal or religious cemeteries which
charge less for the same services?
Burial At Sea
Burial (or the scattering of remains) at sea is available to all veterans
and dependents, and is provided by the Navy or US Coast Guard. A flag
is required, and-if supplied by the family-can be returned. If supplied
by the Navy, it will not be.
Because sea burials
are done at the convenience of the military, the family may not witness
sea burial.
Bodies waiting for
sea burial must be embalmed to a state of preservation that will last
for at least 60 days. (This is accomplished with undiluted embalming
fluid; "stiff.")
A non-sealing metal
casket must be used, bound with six bands of nylon. The casket must
carry 150 lbs. of extra weight.
Two-inch holes (20
total) must be drilled in the top, bottom, and at each end:
To reach the regional Veterans office in your area, call 800-827-1000.
Weboliography:
All information is
taken from:
Veterans' Benefits
http://www.funerals.org/faq/vet.htm
Earth Burial
http://www.funerals.org/faq/burial.htm
