The family of a
veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable may be
eligible for certain benefits at the time of death. This may include:
- Burial in a national cemetery
- A government headstone or marker
- A burial flag
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate
- A burial allowance
- Transportation may also be included (from place of death to funeral home
Since gravesites in a
national cemetery cannot be arranged in advance, you should communicate your
wishes to family or the person that would be responsible for your funeral
arrangements. It is also important that this person know the location of your
discharge papers (DD-214).
Burial benefits
available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include
burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependent’s name and
date of birth and death 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.
Complete information on Veteran’s burial
benefits may be found at: http://www.cem.va.gov/
Military Honors “Honoring Those Who Served”
The Department of
Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors.
"Honoring Those Who Served” is the title of the DOD program for providing
dignified military funeral honors to Veterans who have defended our nation.
Upon the family's
request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every eligible Veteran receive a
military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United
States burial flag and the playing of “Taps.” The law defines a military
funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons,
with at least one being a member of the Veteran's parent service of the armed
forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to request military
funeral honors on behalf of the Veteran’s family. However, the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration cemetery staff can also
assist with arranging military funeral honors at VA national cemeteries.
Veterans organizations may assist in providing military funeral honors. When
military funeral honors at a national cemetery are desired, they are arranged
prior to the committal service by the funeral home.
Questions or comments
concerning the DOD military funeral honors program may be sent to the address
listed below. The military funeral honors website is located at: www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil.
Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense For Public Affairs
Community Relations and Public Liaison
1400 Defense Pentagon, Room 2D982
Washington, DC 20301-1400
To
arrange military funeral honors, contact your funeral home.