Veteran's Benefits
Who is eligible for Veteran's burial benefits?
Deceased veterans who were, at the time of death, entitled to receive
pension or compensation, or would have been entitled to receive compensation but
for the receipt of military retired pay. Eligibility is also established
when death occurs in a VA facility or in a contract nursing home to which the
deceased was properly admitted.
What burial benefits are Veteran's entitled to?
1.) Burial/Funeral Expense
allowance - V.A. will pay a $300.00 burial and funeral expense allowance if the
deceased veteran fits the above eligibility requirements.
2.) Plot/Interment Allowance - V.A. will
also pay a $150.00 plot/interment allowance if the requirements for the burial
allowance are met, or if the deceased was discharged from active duty because of
disability which was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
Plot allowance
is not payable if the veteran is buried in a national cemetery. If the
veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state
owned cemetery, used solely for burying persons eligible for burial in a
national cemetery, the $150.00 may be paid to the state.
Veterans who die
of a service connected disability, the V.A. will pay a burial allowance up to
$1500.00 in lieu of other burial benefits.
Other Benefits
1.) Burial
Flag - the VA will issue an American Flag to drape the casket of an
eligible veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
The Flag is typically given to the next of kin.
2.) Headstone or Marker
- The V.A. will provide at no cost to the applicant a government headstone or
marker to mark the grave of an honorably discharged veteran.
3.) Military
Funeral Honors - Any eligible veteran is entitled to a basic Military
Funeral Honors Ceremony. While always provided if possible, federal law
now mandates that Military Funeral Honors now be rendered if requested by a
family. An honor guard detail of not less than two people will at minimum,
perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presentation of the
American flag to the next of kin and playing Taps.
Your Funeral Director will generally help
you
arrange for these veteran's benefits.
Other Related Links
Social
Security - Survivor Benefits
