Soldiers of the 412th Theater Engineer Command fold an American flag during the funeral held June 10, 2013, at the Vicksburg, Mississippi, Cedar Hill Cemetery for Command Sgt. Maj. James Albert Brown Jr. Retiring in 1989, Brown was the first African ...
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. (June 26, 2015) -- As a Legal Assistance Counsel I am often asked about burial and memorial benefits for veterans and retirees. This short article will give you a quick run-down on honorably discharged veterans and retirees' burial and memorial benefits.
First, burial in a VA national cemetery is available for veterans, spouses and dependents at no cost and includes the gravesite, grave-liner, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care as part of a national shrine. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs operates 131 national cemeteries including are own national cemetery here at Rock Island Arsenal. For pre-need planning you can call your local funeral home.
Second, honorably discharged veterans and retirees are eligible for an inscribed headstone or marker for their unmarked grave at any cemetery; national, state veterans, tribal or private at no cost and no cost for delivery anywhere in the world.
Third, United States burial flags are generally furnished by the VA to memorialize veterans or retirees who received other than a dishonorable discharge. The next of kin may apply for a flag at any VA regional office or United States post office by completing VA Form 21-2008. In most cases a funeral director will help the family obtain the United States burial flag.
Fourth, reimbursement of burial expenses is a very poorly understood benefit. The VA will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000.00 if the Veteran's death is service connected. This benefit is often stated as a "given" without the clause on service connection.
Fifth, internment at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, outside of Washington D.C., has special eligibility rules generally more restrictive, which generally include active military service in war time. For more information call 703-607-8000, write Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211, or visit; www.arlingtoncemetert.mil.
Finally, military funeral honors are available on request. The DoD will provide a funeral detail consisting of two or more uniformed members of the armed forces including at least one member from the deceased branch of service to play taps and present a United States flag. The DoD maintains a toll-free number 1-877-MIL-HONR (645-4667) for use by funeral directors only to request honors.
Further more detailed specific information on all the above benefits can be found in "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors," VA pamphlet 80-14-01.
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