Veterans I

Veterans Part I
In this segment Mark addresses the benefits of an honorably discharged veteran. Some people are under the misconception that the Veterans Administration provides a burial for any veteran that is honorably discharged; that’s not necessarily true. 

Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of the 136 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of burial space and or niche for cremations, casket, burial container and vault, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, 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 inured 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. The VA created Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit, to assist Veterans and their family members in pre-need planning and record storage

The VA site has many helpful links for families as well. If you don’t know where your loved one would like to be buried, but you know he or she would like to be at a National Cemetery click here. The VA has a cemetery and grave locator for veteran’s families. 
Share by: