Veterans Administrations Burial Benefits
The Veterans' Administration, or the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides several burial-related benefits to survivors of deceased military members. Survivors can reach the VA to inquire about burial benefits and forms by calling 800-827-1000, or by visiting the VA website. Most burial benefits require specific VA forms to determine eligibility.
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Grave Site and Marker
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The VA provides a grave site to deceased veterans in any national cemetery that has space available. Deceased veterans also receive a government headstone or marker that can be personalized with one of several different belief symbols. The VA also provides ongoing care of the grave site in a national cemetery, and opens and closes the grave during the burial process. All of these burial services are free to the family of the deceased service member. Veterans buried in private cemeteries still receive free government headstones or markers if the families request them.
Burial Flag
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The VA provides a United States flag to drape over the casket or accompany the urn of a cremated service member. Families of deceased veterans who served during wartime; served after January 1, 1955; died on active duty after May 27, 1941; were discharged after June 27, 1950; and families of certain members of the Selected Reserves are eligible for a burial flag as a keepsake. If there is no surviving family or next-of-kin, the VA will provide the flag to a friend who requests it.
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Burial Allowance
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Families of deceased veterans may be eligible for reimbursement for part of the burial expenses if they were not reimbursed by another source. In order to be eligible for the burial allowance, the veteran must have died due to a service-related disability; in a VA-approved state nursing home after October 9, 1996; in a VA hospital; while receiving medical care under a VA contract; or while receiving a VA pension. The VA will pay surviving family members up to $2,000 to help cover burial expenses if the death is service-related, as of February 2011. Family members of deceased veterans who did not die from a service-related injury or condition may receive up to $300 to cover burial expenses, and an additional $300 allowance for plot-interment.
Eligibility
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Most members and veterans of the military are eligible for burial benefits provided by the VA. Additionally, World War II Merchant Mariners, members of the Philippine Armed Forces who were US citizens and served before July 1, 1946 or enlisted between October 6, 1945 and June 30, 1947, and Commissioned Officers of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service who served full-time on or after July 29, 1945 are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Surviving spouses and minor children of deceased veterans are also eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
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References
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Burial Benefits Available From the National Cemetery Administration
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Burial Flags
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Burial Allowance Benefits
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Eligibility
Resources
- Photo Credit Gravesite with American Flags image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
