A YEAR OF DAILY GRIEF SUPPORT
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LOCAL GRIEF SUPPORT
GRIEF SUPPORT WEBSITES
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Grief Share is a nationwide network of groups of people who meet weekly to share and support each other during the grief recovery process.
A forum resource with more than 45,000 active members. Topics range from terminal illness and sudden death.
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 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 BURIAL FLAG
The law only allows one burial flag per Veteran. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen.
HEADSTONES / MARKERS
The Department of Veterans Affairs furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.
Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark the inurnment of cremated remains.
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.
Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery.
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 are at private expense.
Click on the above link to see available emblems.
Click on the above link for suggestions.
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
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:
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
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 PRE-PLAN tab above.
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.
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).