Helpline answers burial benefits questions

VFW Magazine, Jan, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

With some 1,800 veterans dying each day, VFW staff members manning the toll-free Veterans Helpline (1-800-VFW-1899) in Washington, D.C., have reported an increase in questions pertaining to veterans burial benefits. Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions, with answers provided by VFW's National Veterans Service staff.

Q: How do I obtain a copy of my spouse's discharge for burial purposes?

A: In some cases, funeral directors can be helpful. However, records are stored in the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, and obtaining them can be time consuming. We suggest you request a copy well before it is needed for burial purposes. For assistance in obtaining the necessary form, call 1-800-VFW-1899.

Q: Who is entitled to burial in a national cemetery?

A: With few exceptions, such as a conviction for a capital offense, all honorably discharged veterans are entitled to burial in a national cemetery. This includes a headstone or marker and a flag. Spouses and dependent children also are entitled to a plot and marker in a national cemetery. There is no charge for opening or closing the grave, a vault or liner, or setting the marker in a national cemetery. Families are responsible for all other expenses, including casketing the remains, transportation to the cemetery and all other incidental expenses.

Q: Who is entitled to military funeral honors?

A: The law entitles all honorably discharged veterans to a military funeral honors ceremony that includes folding and presenting the burial flag and the playing of Taps. The honor detail must include at least two uniformed military personnel with at least one from the veteran's service. The Pentagon requires funeral home directors to request military honors on behalf of the veteran's family.

Q: Is it true that families receive a certificate from the President after the funeral?

A: Yes. Presidential Memorial Certificates are provided to the next-of-kin, other relatives and friends of deceased veterans. Copies may be requested at any VA regional office or by writing to Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (403A), 810 Vermont Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20420-0001. Be sure to send along a copy of the vet's separation documents.

Q: Can I get a government marker for my spouse's grave in a private cemetery?

A: In some cases. The Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (P. L. 107-103) allows VA to furnish appropriate markers for graves of eligible veterans who died on or after Dec. 27, 2001, and are buried in private cemeteries.

Q: What does the military pay for when an active-duty member dies?

A: All funeral expenses--body preparation, casket, transportation to the place of disposition, interment (if it's in a national cemetery) and a marker--are paid by the military. Next-of-kin also receive a $6,000 "death gratuity."

Q: My spouse died of a service-connected disability. To what benefits am I entitled?

A: A $2,000 "burial allowance" is available. It may be used to cover some of the funeral director's expenses, the casket and transportation to the cemetery. If death occurred in a VA facility, transporting the body to the cemetery will be paid, provided it is no farther than the last place of residence. If burial is not in a national cemetery, there is a $300 "interment allowance." Although a marker is available at no charge, the private cemetery will probably charge a fee for placing it on the grave.

Q: My spouse had a service-connected disability but died of other causes. Am I eligible for burial benefits?

A: A $300 "burial allowance" is available if the veteran received or was eligible for VA compensation or a pension. It's also available if he died in a VA facility. Although burial in a national cemetery is free to these veterans, all other mortuary expenses are the responsibility of the family. Transportation to a national cemetery will be provided only if the death occurs in a VA facility and the cemetery is not farther than the residence of the deceased. The $300 interment allowance applies when burial is in other than a national cemetery.

Q: My spouse is a veteran but had no disabilities. Am I eligible for benefits?

A: The $2,000 and $300 benefits do not apply, nor is there reimbursement for transportation to the cemetery. The plot in a national cemetery, any required vault, interment, a marker, a flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate are the only burial benefits. If interment is in other than a national cemetery, the family is responsible for the cost of the plot, opening and closing charges, the vault and and fee charged for setting a government marker if the family chooses to do so. The family also must bear all other funeral costs.

Q: How can I obtain a burial flag?

A: You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you. When burial is in a national, state or post cemetery, a burial flag will be provided.

Q: Can a burial flag be replaced?

A: No. The taw allows VA to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral.