Burial Assistance for Veterans
The U.S. military provides burial allowances for veterans. These allowances are to help families offset the costs inherent to funeral and burial, according to Military.com. These allowances are given only after eligibility has been determined by the military, and the amounts given differ depending on whether or not the death was service-related. The military also provides burial flags for the deceased, as well as taking on the cost for headstones and grave markers.
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Amounts
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Service-related deaths are eligible for higher burial allowance amounts if they happened after September 11, 2001, according to Military.com. Those families that have to bury someone when the death occurred after this date are eligible for a $2,000 burial allowance to offset costs. Service-related deaths occurring before this date are eligible for $1,500. Costs for transporting the deceased may be reimbursed if the burial takes place in a Veteran's Administration (VA) national cemetery.
Non-service-related deaths are eligible for a far smaller burial allowance of $300 towards burial expenses and $300 of the plot-internment cost.
Eligibility
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Eligibility requirements must be met in order for a burial allowance to be granted. You may be eligible if you have paid for a veteran's funeral or burial and have not been reimbursed by another source, such as the deceased's employer or another government agency. The veteran needs to have been discharged with any status but "dishonorable" as well.
One of the following requirements must be met, as well: death must have been caused by a service-related injury; the deceased was receiving (or was eligible for) VA compensation or pension; or the deceased passed away under a VA contract in an approved nursing home.
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Application and Time Limits
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Apply for a burial allowance by filling out VA Form 21-530. Attach the deceased's DD214, copies of burial and funeral bills and a death certificate. No time limit exists on applying for burial allowance in the case of service-related death. Allowances must be applied for within two years of burial or cremation when the death was non-service related.
Burial Flags
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The U.S. military will provide burial flags for deceased veterans. These flags can be draped over the deceased's casket or accompany the urn as a symbol of honorable military service. Following the funeral, these flags are usually given to the next-of-kin to keep. Some of these flags are donated to VA national cemeteries to be flown on patriotic holidays.
Headstones and Grave Markers
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Headstones and grave markers are provided for veterans of the U.S. Military. The dependents of veterans may be eligible for a headstone if they are buried in an approved cemetery. Flat granite, flat marble, flat bronze and upright marble headstones can be provided.
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