Veteran’s Death Benefits
Each November, our country gathers to honor those individuals who fought for our freedom. According to Wikipedia, we have been paying our respects to our military veterans for sixty-eight years. Every November 11th, across the United States, parades are held, military tributes take place at the tomb of the unknown soldier, restaurants provide discounted or free meals for retired and active-duty military, while government businesses close to observe this federal holiday.
It would be safe to assume most people have a clear understanding of what Veteran’s Day is, but not necessarily why we celebrate it each November 11th. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I came to an end after four brutal years of fighting. One year later, America dedicated November 11th as Armistice Day to celebrate the peace and the veterans who fought to make the world a safer place.
Most active and retired veteran’s and their family understand are the living benefits. What’s not clear are the death benefits. The following paragraphs will share the present-day death benefits available for non-active military and where to seek assistance should your loved one die and was honorably discharged when their time served came to an end.
What is needed to receive Veteran Burial Benefits?
First and foremost, it all begins with a copy of the deceased’s military separation papers stating they were honorably discharged. This is often referred to as a DD214. This document is essential should you want to take advantage of the Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits.
Who can receive Veteran Burial Benefits?
Outside of the active, retired, or honorably separated veteran, the spouse or dependent child of the Veteran or service member, can qualify – even if the veteran died first.
What death benefits are available?
First things first!
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits do not cover all the funeral or cremation arrangements of honorably discharged veterans. There may be some monetary funds available if the veteran qualifies, however all honorable discharged veterans are entitled to recognition and benefits depending on where they elect to be laid to rest.
National Cemetery
Presently, there are 155 national cemeteries in 44 states and Puerto Rico. If a deceased qualifies for benefits and there was a desire to buried in a military National Cemetery, there is no charge for the following items:
- A grave or burial plot will be provided, the family does not select it. If the government’s cemetery has a columbarium (above ground vault) for cremated remains this can be requested.
- The opening and closing of the grave for the burial of the deceased’s casketed or cremated remains. (This includes the columbarium)
- The government issued grave liner for casketed remains only.
- Perpetual care of the gravesite.
- A government issued marker or headstone with inscription.
- Military service rights including a twenty-one-gun salute and taps..
- A burial flag is presented to the next of kin or designated family member.
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate.
- A dedicated memorial page on the Veterans Legacy Memorial site where friends and family can upload photos and remembrances.
Burial in a private cemetery
- A government headstone, marker, or medallion.
- A burial flag is presented to the next of kin or designated family member.
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate.
- The local VFW or retired veterans will often provide military rights, present the flag, conduct the twenty-one-gun salute, and play taps. Typically, your funeral director will assist in arranging this.
- Some survivors may also be entitled to VA burial allowances as partial reimbursement for the costs of funerals and burials for eligible Veterans.
What partial reimbursement for the costs of funerals and burials mean?
There is no guarantee that you will be eligible for Veterans burial allowances, but it can’t hurt apply. Please take note that if any of the funeral or burial costs are being subsidized by an employer, other government agency or organization you will be denied.
Here are the requitements that must be met:
The individual applying must be one of the following (taken directly from the VA.gov’s website):
- The veteran’s surviving spouse (same-sex marriage or unions are acknowledged).
- A surviving child of the Veteran.
- Parent of the Veteran.
- Executor or administrator of the Veteran’s estate.
- The Veteran must have been honorably discharged, and the Veteran died because of a service-connected disability, died while getting VA care, either at a VA facility or at a facility contracted by VA, or died while traveling with proper authorization at VA’s expense, either to or from a facility for an examination, or to receive treatment or care.
- If the Veteran died with an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death, they would’ve been entitled to benefits before the time of death, or died while receiving a VA pension or compensation, or died while eligible for a VA pension or compensation at time of death, but instead received full military retirement or disability pay.
OR
- The Veteran had been getting a VA pension or compensation when they died.
- The Veteran had chosen to get military retired pay instead of compensation.
Should these conditions above for reimbursement be met, the VA will also provide an allowance for the cost of transporting a Veteran’s remains for burial in a national cemetery.
Like anything else with the government, the devil is in the details. There are specifics that revolve around numerous issues. Most counties have a Veteran’s County Council who can and will assist you with applying. The terms can and due change.
The reimbursement benefits vary based on dates of service and wartime. Here is the link (https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/) that breaks it out for families to easily see what if any benefit they may qualify for.
Additional costs that are not covered.
Merchandise, such as a casket, urn, flowers, printed material, or keepsakes are not a covered cost for a veteran who has been honorably discharged. The only time a casket or urn is provided is if the veteran died in active duty. What this means, is if burial or cremations is chosen, even if it takes place in a National Cemetery, the family will have to purchase the casket /urn, any flowers, printed material, and keepsakes.
The VA will provide one death certificate at no charge. Additional death certificates needed, must be paid by the deceased’s family. The average individual requires between four and six death certificates.
Can VA National Cemetery be approved ahead of time?
Yes! The VA has created a department called the “Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility Program”. This department will provide eligibility determinations for interment in a VA national cemetery prior to the time of need.
In order to have a pre-need determination, Veteran’s must submit the VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery and supporting documentation, such as a DD Form 214.
This information must be sent or given to the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office via:
- Faxe toll-free to 1-855-840-8299
- Email to PreNeed@va.gov
- Mail to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office, P.O. Box 510543, St. Louis, MO 63151
Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will receive written notice of its determination of eligibility. If approved, the VA will save determinations and supporting documentation in an electronic information system to expedite burial arrangements at the time of need.
Thank you for your service!
In closing, please never forget the freedoms we as Americans enjoy came at a price. Through the years, lives have been lost and family dinner tables bear empty seats that were once occupied. Young men and women placed duty, service, and country first. When you see active military in airports or retired veterans, please take a minute to thank them for their service.
