Frequently Asked Questions

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Veterans Death Benefits


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How can I pay for long-term care if I am a veteran?

You may be able to pay for your long-term care through VA, Federal, and State programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. You may also be able to pay using private insurance, or your own personal funds. Read more about paying for long-term care.

What happens to the burial flag of a veteran after the funeral service?

The flag is removed from the casket, folded properly, and given to the next of kin as a keepsake. If next of kin is not available, the flag may be given to a friend or donated upon request.

How can you apply for a burial flag for a U.S. veteran?

You can apply for a burial flag by completing VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. The funeral provider can assist you with obtaining a flag as well. U.S. Post Offices are the primary issuing point for burial flags; call and confirm with the post office in advance. Not all local post offices have burial flags on hand, but they should be able to direct you to the closest issuing post office. Regional VA offices can also help identify local issuing points.

What are the requirements for veterans who wish to be buried in a national cemetery?

For the purpose of receiving burial in a national cemetery, a “veteran” is defined as one of the following:

• Someone who is currently serving, or has served, as a member of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard)
• Members of Reserve Components and Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Commissioned Officers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• A Commissioned Officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service
• World War II Merchant Mariners
• The Philippine Armed Forces

Read detailed information on determining veteran status as it pertains to funeral benefits.

What is a Presidential Memorial Certificate and who is eligible?

This engraved paper certificate honors the memory of the deceased veteran, and is signed by the current President of the United States. Eligible recipients include the next of kin and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased veterans. More than one certificate may be provided.

Read instructions on how to request a certificate.

Will the Veterans Administration provide a headstone or marker?

The VA will provide a standard headstone or grave marker at no cost to the family. Read specific information on headstones and markers.

How do I request veterans’ funeral benefits through the funeral home?

You will need to provide the funeral director with a copy of your loved one’s military discharge papers, or DD 214/Separation Documents. This document is necessary to establish proof of eligibility for burial benefits. If you do not already have a copy of the discharge papers, you can request them online.

Read more about VA burial benefits.

How can my family request military funeral honors?

The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration cemetery staff assist with military funeral honors at VA national cemeteries.

Since the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2000, every Armed Forces veteran and member on active duty or in the active reserve has the right to be buried with patriotic flourishes provided by a military honor guard.

Upon the family’s request, every eligible veteran will receive a basic military funeral honors ceremony. This ceremony includes members of the military serving as pallbearers, the folding and presentation of the United States burial flag, and the sounding of Taps, at no cost to the family. In certain instances, a rifle volley, or 21-gun salute, is also included in the ceremony.

The DOD program calls for the funeral home provider to request military funeral honors on behalf of the veterans' family.

View the full U.S. code regarding military honors.

How do I confirm eligibility for VA death benefits and services?

Get complete information on available benefits and eligibility criteria at benefits.va.gov/benefits.

As a survivor of a deceased U.S. veteran, am I eligible for compensation in the month of death?

This benefit is only payable to surviving spouses of veterans who were already receiving VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of their death. The VA may not know if a veteran has a surviving spouse. If your spouse was a veteran and was receiving VA benefits at the time of death, contact the VA to determine if you are eligible for payment in the month of death.

What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of  U.S. Armed Forces members who died in the line of duty, or to eligible survivors of veterans who died from a service-related injury or disease. Read more on eligibility requirements and how to apply for compensation.

Where can I learn more about long-term care options for veterans?

Consult this guide provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn about long-term care options, including home and community-based services, nursing homes, residential settings, and other services and resources.

Who is eligible to receive the burial flag?

All veterans, except those dishonorably discharged, are entitled to a burial flag.

What are the eligibility requirements for the VA Hospice or Palliative Care Program?

All veterans who are enrolled in the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package are eligible for hospice care, provided they meet the clinical requirements for the service: they have a terminal condition, with less than 6 months to live, and are no longer seeking treatment other than palliative care. Hospice care can be provided at home, in an outpatient clinic or inpatient setting. There are no co-pays for hospice care. Co-pays may be charged for palliative care.

Can I schedule or reserve a burial in a national cemetery? How do I do this?

Grave sites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance, but you can schedule a burial. Let your family know your wishes, and where your discharge papers are. You must send the VA National Cemetery Administration an application, and it will make pre-need burial eligibility determination.

There are two main steps to scheduling a burial.

  1. Submit documentation of eligibility to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. You can do this by either faxing the appropriate documentation to 1-866-900-6417, or you can scan and email the documentation to [email protected]. Acceptable forms of discharge documents may be found here.
  2. Call the Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 with the following required information:
    • Cemetery of choice.
    • First or subsequent burial (veteran or dependent already buried).
    • If subsequent interment, who is already interred, section and site number (if known).
    • Decedent’s full name, gender, Social Security number, date of death, date of birth and relationship (veteran or dependent).
    • Contact information (funeral director’s name as well as the name, address, and e-mail address of the funeral home).
    • Next of kin information (name, relationship to deceased, Social Security number, phone number, address).
    • Type of religious emblem for headstone (if known).
    • Did the decedent reside within 75 miles of requested cemetery?
    • ZIP code of decedent at time of death.
    • County of decedent at time of death.
    • Type of burial (casket or cremation).
    • Marital status of deceased (if veteran is buried in a private cemetery, must provide documentation of marital status of spouse at time of death).
    • Casket size/liner size/urn size/urn vault size.
    • Is surviving spouse a Veteran?
    • Any disabled children for future interment (must provide name and date of birth). If requesting immediate interment (must provide marital status, doctor’s statement stating type of illness, date of onset of illness and capability of self-support).
    • Military honors requested.
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