VA Benefits for the Deceased
The Department of Veteran Affairs is the federal agency with authority to grant benefits to deceased veterans and their dependents. According to the VA, benefits apply to all service members who lost their lives while on active duty or on active duty for training, and those who suffer from disabilities connected to active military service. Dependents of deceased veterans and claimants for VA benefits have the right to apply for benefits and appeal decisions made by VA regarding status of eligibility. However, individuals found to have committed federal or state capital crimes are barred from receiving certain VA benefits.
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Burial in VA National Cemeteries
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Deceased veterans are eligible to be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost to the surviving family. According to the VA, the burial services in a national cemetery include the grave site, the grave liner, a headstone, a burial flag and perpetual care of the burial site. As of January 2010, there are 131 national cemeteries located in 36 states throughout the U.S., plus state veterans cemeteries to accommodate the preferences of military families. In addition, national cemetery eligibility extends to surviving spouses of veterans who died on or after January 1, 2000. The VA also allows unmarried dependent children under 21 years of age or under 23 if full-time students, and adult children who become physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support, to be eligible for the VA burial benefits.
Commemorative Medallion and Presidential Certificate
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The VA also grants surviving family members the option to choose the traditional white marble or granite headstone or to request an especially made medallion to affix onto a headstone purchased by surviving family members. However, these honorary medallions are only awarded to deceased veterans and not their dependents. In addition to the headstone and medallion, surviving loved ones may request a presidential certificate commemorating the military service of a deceased veteran, which is signed by the sitting president of the U.S. Upon request by relatives and loved ones, the military service will also issue a presidential memorial certificate to honor deceased veterans.
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Burial and Plot Allowance
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The VA provides separate allowances for burial and plot expenses. The VA pays a burial allowance up to $2,000 if the veteran's death is service-connected and $300 for veterans who were entitled to receive a VA pension at the time of death. In addition, a burial plot allowance of $300 is paid when a veteran is buried in a private cemetery. Both the service-connected and veteran burial allowances are paid as a reimbursement to the family member or other surviving loved one who paid for the burial and funeral expenses.
Military Funerals
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Funerals with military honors are also available for qualified service members and veterans. Military honors include a funeral detail of at least three service members, one of which must belong to the service of the deceased veterans. In addition, a military funeral includes playing "Taps" and draping the casket with a U.S. flag. Upon the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies, the funeral detail folds the flag in the familiar triangle shape, and a member of the detail presents the folded flag to the next of kin.
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