VETERAN
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BURIAL FLAG
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket of a deceased Veteran who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.
APPLYING FOR THE BURIAL FLAG
If the Veteran dies at a VA Hospital, they will provide the flag.
If the Veteran does NOT die at a VA Hospital, you will need to provide us with a copy of the DD-214. We will then complete the application for procuring the Flag, and have the next-of-kin sign it.
REPLACING THE BURIAL FLAG
The law only allows one burial flag per Veteran. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen.
DONATING BURIAL FLAGS TO NATIONAL CEMETERIES
Most of the National Cemeteries display an Avenue of Flags on patriotic holidays and during special events. These burial flags have been donated by the families of deceased Veterans and provide a unique visible tribute to all our Nation's Veterans. A Certificate of Appreciation is presented to the donor for providing their loved ones' burial flag to a national cemetery. Please contact the cemetery of your choice for information on how to donate a Veteran's burial flag.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL TOLL-FREE
1-800-827-1000
DEATH BENEFITS
The veterans death benefits help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. For those being buried in a national cemetery, survivors can receive assistance with the burial and funeral costs, the plot or internment, and the transporting of the veteran’s remains for burial.
You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance.
To apply for burial death benefits, click on the below website:
HEADSTONES AND MARKERS
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MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS
Whenever a Veteran is eligible, and the burial is local, we will request for the Military Funeral Honors to be provided by the "Joint Service Honors Command". They provide at the families request:
• Taps.
• 21-Gun Salute.
• Folding and presentation of the flag.
• Chaplain.
• Pall Bearers.
If the burial is at a National Cemetery, we will request for the Military Funeral Honors to be provided by the branch of service (Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, etc.) indicated on the veteran's DD-214.
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY OF A VETERAN
The preferred method to determine eligibility is the DD-214 (Honorable Discharge).
If you do not have a DD-214, a copy may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center by clicking on the below website:
NATIONAL CEMETERY
BURIAL BENEFITS
Burial benefits include a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, vault (or liner), perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker. A burial flag is provided by the funeral home at no cost to the family.
In a National Cemetery, burial benefits are available for spouses and dependents. The gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, vault (or liner), 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 at a national cemetery, even if they predecease the Veteran.
PREPARING IN ADVANCE
Gravesites in National Cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance.
You should advise your family of your wishes and where your DD-214 (Honorable Discharge) is kept. These papers are very important in establishing your eligibility.
If you do not have a DD-214, a copy may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center by clicking on the below website:
If you are interested in Preparing in Advance, we will then keep a copy of your DD-214 (Honorable Discharge) on file. To Prepare in Advance, click on the PLANNING tab above and select PRE-PLANNING.
AT THE TIME OF NEED
At the time of need, we will assist the next-of-kin with making burial arrangements at the national cemetery. To schedule a burial, we will fax all discharge documentation to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-866-900-6417 and follow-up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117.
When burial is in a national cemetery, we will complete the headstone or marker application form and have the next-of-kin sign it. The next-of-kin will then write down the inscription they would like for the marker.
PRIVATE CEMETERY
BURIAL BENEFITS
Burial benefits available for Veterans buried in a private cemetery, may include a Government headstone, and a burial flag issued at no cost to the family.
Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees shall be paid for by the applicant.
There are not any VA burial benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery (this benefit is extended to spouses and dependents ONLY at national cemeteries).
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