I receive many questions regarding benefits after the death of a veteran. Many of these questions should be asked prior to death. What about burial benefits? Was there any life insurance through the VA? What paperwork do I need to complete the process? These are just a few of the questions received. Hopefully this article will get your attention and help you get prepared.
Have you been paying life insurance premiums for years? Is your husband or wife aware of these policies? Do you have documentation readily available with the policy number and a phone number to call the life insurance company? Are the beneficiaries up to date on your policy? Aside from regular commercial life insurance is there a VA policy you have been paying since you left the service? It’s a good idea to have an up to date folder with all pertinent information.
The folder should also have your discharge paperwork. In most cases this is your DD-214 form. This form is key to getting things started. The DD-214 is needed by the mortuary for proof of military service. The mortuary will then be able to interface with agencies to have a burial/cremation. It should be noted, burials with military funeral honors can be arranged by the mortuary not only at national cemeteries but also private or veterans’ cemeteries. Check with your local veteran’s organization (VFW American Legion) about military honors as they have groups that will assist with the arrangements.
Gravesites can’t be reserved in advance. This is done post death and again is organized by the mortuary. Also some gravesites only take cremations. The VA also provides headstones for the deceased veteran. The following is information is needed by the mortuary or if you choose to schedule the burial/cremation yourself:
The following information is from: http://www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/
To schedule a burial, first fax all discharge documentation to the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-866- 900-6417 or scan and email the documentation to NCA.Scheduling@va.gov with the name of the decedent in the subject line. Follow-up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117 and have the following information readily available when you call:
• Cemetery of choice
• First or subsequent burial (Veteran or dependent already buried)
o If subsequent interment, who is already interred, section and site number (if known)
• Decedent's:
o Full name;
o Gender;
o Social Security Number (SSN);
o Date of death; o Date of birth; and
o Relationship (Veteran or dependent)
• Funeral director's contact information:
o Funeral director's name;
o Funeral home’s name;
o Address; and
o Email address of the funeral home
• Next of kin information:
o Name;
o Relationship to deceased;
o SSN;
o Telephone number; and
o 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:
o Casket;
• Casket size/liner size
o Cremation
• Urn size/urn vault size
• Marital status of deceased (if Veteran is buried in a private cemetery, must provide documentation of marital status of spouse at time of death)
• 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
As you can see this can be a complicated process. Why not have this information readily available? Also you could be eligible for a VA burial allowance. Generally, the veteran had to be in receipt of VA compensation or VA pension to qualify. If they died at a VA or VA sponsored facility they would also qualify. The amount is determined on whether the death was service connected or not. In other words, if the veteran was in receipt of VA compensation and the death certificate lists a service connected disability as cause of death you would then receive the higher amount. If the veteran died on or after September 11, 2001, the maximum service connected burial allowance is $2,000. If the death is non-service connected VA will pay a $600 burial allowance and $747 for a plot.
If the death occurred while the Veteran was properly hospitalized by VA, or under VA contracted nursing home care, some or all of the costs for transporting the Veteran’s remains may be reimbursed. If the Veteran dies while traveling at VA expense for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care, VA will pay burial and plot allowances and transportation expenses.
Remember to contact your local PVA service officer upon the passing of a veteran or dependent so they can assist with needed paperwork for benefits that a family member maybe entitled to.
St. Louis area Gateway members can call myself at 314-894-6467 or NSO Jeremy Lile at 314-253-4480. Kansas City area Gateway member can call NSO Brent Follas at 816-922-2882.