Stay informed with our free Senior Newswire service
|
Senior Resources
• Aging Organizations and General
Interest
• Assistive Devices and Senior Gadgets • Caregiving and Support Services • Computer and Internet • Employment • End of Life Issues • Finances and Retirement • Grandparenting and Intergenerational Family • Government Resources and Assistance • Health Resources • Housing, Long Term Care and Universal Design • Insurance • Legal Issues and Resources • Leisure, Learning and Personal Growth • Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security • Older Drivers and Transportation • Relationships and Online Dating • Research and Statistics • Travel • Volunteering • State and Local Resources |
What's New!
How to Tap Underutilized Burial Benefits for Veterans
Dear Savvy Senior,
What types of funeral benefits are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old
father, who has Alzheimer's disease, served during the Vietnam War in the
1960s.
Dear Planning, Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn't receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible for burial benefits. To verify your dad's discharge, you'll need a copy of his DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty." If you don't have it, you can request online at Archives.gov/veterans. Here's a rundown of some of the different benefits that are available to veterans that die a nonservice related death.
Military Cemetery Benefits If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains. But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran's family, but some veteran's survivors may be eligible for burial allowances. The VA also offers a memorial web page called the Veterans Legacy Memorial for any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial or tribal cemetery. This allows families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember and honor their service. If you're interested in this option, the VA has a pre-need burial eligibility determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See VA.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
Private Cemetery Benefits Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family, and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents that are buried in private cemeteries.
Military Funeral Honors The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may need to be completed which are always better to be done in advance. For a complete rundown of burial and memorial benefits, eligibility details and required forms visit Cem.va.gov.
Burial Allowances |