What Are Military Funeral Honors

And A Committal Service?

Military funeral honors include: The playing of “Taps,” and uniformed service members who properly fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased’s next of kin or close friend.

National Cemetery Administration

Burial Benefits

Burial benefits available include a grave site in any of the VA national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone, marker, or medallion, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also be eligible for burial allowances. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran's headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran.

The Veterans family should make funeral or cremation arrangements with a funeral provider or cremation office. Any item or service obtained from a funeral home or cremation office will be at the family's expense.

For more information please visit: 

www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits

Who Qualifies For Burial Benefits

You may be eligible for Veterans burial allowances if you’re paying for the burial and funeral costs and you won’t be reimbursed by any other organization, like another government agency or the Veteran’s employer. You must also meet all of these requirements listed below.

The Veteran Must Not Have Received

A Dishonorable Discharge,  And One Of

These Circumstances Must Be True:

• You’re The Veteran’s Surviving Spouse
• You’re The Surviving Partner From Legal Union
• You’re A Surviving Child Of The Veteran
• You’re A Parent Of The Veteran
• You’re The Executor Or Administrator Of The Veteran’s Estate
• You’re A Family Member Or Friend Who Isn’t The Executor Of The Veteran’s Estate
• You’re A Representative From A Funeral Home, Cemetery, Or Other Organization
• The Veteran Died As A Result Of A Service-Connected Disability
• The Veteran Died While Getting VA Care, Either At A VA Facility Or At A Facility Contracted By VA
• The Veteran Died While Traveling With Proper Authorization And At VA's Expense, Either To Or From A Facility For An Examination Or Treatment
• The Veteran Died With An Original OR Reopened Claim For VA Compensation, Pension Pending At The Time Of Death And Would've Been Entitled To   Benefits Before The Time Of Death
• The Veteran Died While Receiving A VA Pension Or Compensation
• The Veteran Died While Died Eligible For Compensation Or A VA Pension At Their Time Of Death, But Instead Received Full Military Retirement  Disability Pay
• The Veteran Had Been Getting A VA Pension Compensation When They Died
• The Veteran Had Chosen To Get Military Retirement Pay Instead Of Compensation

Who Is Eligible To Be Buried

In A National VA Cemetery?

Veterans, Service Members, Spouses, And Dependents May Be Eligible For Burial In A VA National Cemetery, As Well As Other Benefits, If They Meet One Of The Requirements Listed Below:

• A veteran who received an Honorable Discharge or a Service Member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements.
• A veteran who served in wartime.
• A veteran who died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
• A veteran who served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or because of a disability that was  caused - or made worse - by their active military service.
• A veteran who served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951.
• A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training.
• The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first. In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran
  

Is A Veteran Buried In A Private Cemetery

Eligible For Benefits For Burial Or Memorialization?

Yes. Veterans buried in a private cemetery may be eligible for these benefits:

• Headstone or marker 
• Medallion 

Veterans buried in a private cemetery may also be eligible for these memorial items:

• Burial flag
• Presidential Memorial Certificate

Note: Veterans buried in a private cemetery aren’t eligible for a plaque or urn.

Do you know where your or a loved one's DD214 Form is? 

It is essential to have the Veteran's DD214 Military Record available in applying for burial and other benefits. 

If you're not able to located DD214 please visit the link below:

• https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/

To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit: 

• www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
• www.usa.gov/burial-survivor-benefits
  
• www.va.gov/burials-memorials
  

To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330

• www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions
  Send To:  Department of Veteran Affairs
                       5109 Russell Road
                       Quantico, VA 22134-3909

 For more information regarding VA burial benefits  and memorial items, visit:

• www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance  or you can call the the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.

You can also click on the tab below to

 call the Veteran's Administration