Veteran’s Benefits
The benefits that the Veterans Administration (VA) offers to all veterans are:An American Flag that can be draped on the casket, Military Honors at the cemetery, A government marker. The funeral home arranges for these benefits with a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214).
If burial is in a National Cemetery the VA also provides for the grave space for the veteran, opening and closing of the grave, and a government issued concrete liner. Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans of the armed forces members may also be eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Many national cemeteries have columbarai for the inurnment of cremated remains or special gravesites for the burial of cremated remains.
Headstones and markers and their placement are provided at the government’s expense. The funeral home arranges with the national cemetery for burial after a death occurs. Again, the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214) are required. The veteran may be eligible for additional burial benefits for which the family can apply. To determine what benefits the veteran is eligible for, please contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000 or online at http://www.cem.va.gov/