Knowing how to access and apply for veterans’ funeral benefits can make a challenging time a little easier.
If you are planning a funeral or memorial service for a veteran, a number of valuable benefits may be available. They are not provided automatically and must be requested through applications and forms submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
In this article, we will answer seven important questions about obtaining veterans’ funeral benefits so you can make your loved one’s final farewell the respectful, dignified event they deserve.
1. What veterans’ funeral expenses are covered by the VA?
Many people think funeral or cremation arrangements for all veterans are fully funded by the VA, but this is only true in certain cases, such as when the service member has been killed in the line of duty. Here are some important things to know:
· Every eligible veteran can receive a military honors ceremony, including the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag performed by two or more uniformed military persons and the playing of Taps by a live bugler or recording.
· These ceremonial rights are available to active duty, military retirees, members and former members of the Selected Reserve, eligible U.S. veterans of any war, and other veterans who served at least one term and separated under conditions other than dishonorable.
· Your funeral director can request these honors on behalf of your family.
2. What documentation is needed to receive these benefits?
To secure veterans’ funeral benefits, you will need to produce your loved one’s military discharge papers, death certificate, and any receipts for the cost of transporting the body. When supplying proof of eligibility or other official records, don’t send original documents because they will not be returned. Once these items are compiled, your funeral director can assist you with submitting them and completing the required VA paperwork.
3. What burial benefits are available?
Generally, any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies while on active duty or any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable is entitled to burial or inurnment in a VA national cemetery or state veterans cemetery. This includes:
· An assigned gravesite
· Opening and closing of the grave
· A grave liner for casketed remains
· A government headstone or marker
· Perpetual care at no cost
It’s important to note that VA national cemeteries only allow arrangements to be made at the time of death and spaces are assigned based on availability. Therefore, there is no guarantee that spouses or other family members will be interred side-by-side or even nearby. In addition, burials In VA national cemeteries are not conducted on weekends.
4. Can I receive any monetary funeral assistance?
In some cases, the VA can provide a portion of the funding for the funeral. The family of a veteran may receive:
· Up to $2,000 in burial benefits for service-related deaths that occurred on or after September 11, 2001
· Up to $1,500 in burial benefits for service-related deaths that occurred before September 11, 2001
· Reimbursement of some or all costs of transportation to a VA National Cemetery
· $255 in government benefits
· $700-$1,400 if the veteran passed away in a VA hospital
· $300 for burial and funeral expenses for a veteran who did not pass away in a VA hospital
· $300 for a plot allotment for a veteran who is being buried in a private cemetery
5. Is grief support available?
The VA offers free bereavement counseling to families who have lost a loved one on active military duty. Spouses, children, and parents of service members, reservists, and National Guard soldiers are eligible for this program. Grief counseling for families of discharged military personnel can be found through a number of nonprofit organizations, such as The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Wounded Warrior Project, and the American Legion.
6. What supportive services do funeral providers offer military families?
The compassionate professionals at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services are here to guide you through the process of completing and submitting the required forms and documents, cemetery selection, and determining which benefits you may be eligible to receive. With decades of experience planning funerals for service members, we ensure the veterans in our care receive military funeral honors fit for a hero.
If you need assistance securing veterans’ funeral benefits or planning the final farewell for your beloved service member, please contact us. We would be honored to have the opportunity to serve you.
About Evan W. Smith Funeral Services: Since 2009, residents of Wilmington, Dover, and the surrounding Delaware community have relied on the caring staff at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services to help them through their darkest hours. Family-owned and operated, the company offers an array of elite funeral care services, including traditional funerals, cremations, memorials, pre-planning, grief counseling, and more. With decades of experience in caring for families from all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life, Evan W. Smith Funeral Services is committed to creating memorable, uplifting experiences that always exceed expectations. For more information, please visit www.ewsmithfs.com.
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