Military Benefits of the Deceased
Deceased veterans and service members who serve on active duty or the selected Reserve qualify for death benefits. Military benefits depend on whether the service member completed a full enlistment term or separated from military service with any type of discharge except a dishonorable discharge. Benefits include providing deceased members of the military with funeral honors, burial expense reimbursement and cemetery services.
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Cemetery and Headstone Services
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A government headstone is available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to mark the burial site of a veteran in any burial ground in the U.S., or any other location in the world. Surviving family members have the option to choose between the recognizable headstone and a grave marker to affix onto a nongovernment headstone. Along with the headstone, a deceased member of the military may be buried in a national cemetery. The VA operates 131 national cemeteries in the U.S. to help accommodate the needs of veterans and their families. In addition, the VA helps support state cemeteries, further increasing the options for deceased service members and veterans.
Presidential Commemoration
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Next of kin and family of a deceased member of the military or veteran may request a Presidential Memorial Certificate. The certificate is formal and official recognition of military service and signed by the sitting president of the United States. To obtain the certificate, the VA requires the requesting party to complete and file VA Form 40-0247, which is the application for the certificate. In addition to the application form, the VA requires a copy of the death certificate and proof of honorable discharge.
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Ceremonial Flag and Detail
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The VA also provides ceremonial U.S. flags to drape over the casket holding the deceased veteran or service member during the wake and funeral services. The flag is folded in the familiar triangular shape by a military funeral detail. The folded flag is presented to the next of kin. The Department of Defense provides the funeral detail. The program provides at least two service members, at least one of which belongs to the same service as the deceased veteran or servicemember. The funeral honors includes playing "Taps" during the burial ceremonies.
Burial Cost Reimbursement
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The VA reimburses a maximum of $2,000 in burial costs to the person who paid these costs. This maximum applies to burials where a veteran passed away directly from serving in the military. Additional allowances are available for veterans eligible to receive retirement benefits from the military. The VA provides a burial allowance of $300 and a plot allowance of $300. The VA awards these allowances in cases where the veteran passed in VA medical or nursing care facilities
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit arlington cemetary image by Dwight Davis from Fotolia.com
