Your years of military service are highly valued by our country. Benefits are available to your family to make certain that you receive the final send-off you deserve.
Burial benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs
Burial Flag, Headstone and Grave Marker: Provided at no-cost for honorably discharged veterans.
Burial Allowance for Service-Related Death: VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001.
Burial Allowance:VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $300 plot-interment allowance for deaths on or after December 1, 2001. The plot-interment allowance is $150 for deaths prior to December 1, 2001. If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under VA contracted nursing home care, some or all of the costs for transporting the deceased’s remains may be reimbursed.
Death Pension: Benefit payable to eligible dependents of a deceased wartime veteran, with specific income limitations.
Planning Ahead
Making sure that the member’s family is knowledgeable about a variety of personal financial and family issues is important. Experts recommend preparing some type of a Personal Log to document this information. There are a number of steps that can be taken in advance to help the transition go smoother for family members grieving for the loss of a loved one. Following is a checklist to assist this preparation.
Does each spouse have a general understanding of the family’s assets and investments; this includes knowing WHERE the money is and WHY it is there?
Does each spouse know where all important papers are: bank account statements; investments; deeds and insurance policies (life, medical, property/casualty, long term care)? This may include website login information and who to contact when needed.
Does each spouse have a will? (Military Legal Assistance can assist with this.) Along with a will, does each spouse know the other’s wishes? Life support and quality of life issues are among the things to discuss and put in writing. It may be beneficial to consider a living will, an advance medical directive and a durable power of attorney.
Keep one folder with original copies of the following forms, and any others that are important to you. Locate a safe storage location for these and other important originals, preferably outside the home:
Marriage and Birth Certificate
Wills
Trust
Advance Medical Directives
Powers of Attorney
DD Form 214
Social Security Papers
Divorce Decrees
Adoption papers
Naturalization Papers
Vehicle Title and Registration Papers
Keep another folder with copies of these forms in an easily accessible and secure location.
Does each spouse have access to current names, addresses, and contact information for:
Family Members
Close Friends
Attorney
Financial Planner
CPA
Place of worship
Funeral, burial and church service details
Does each spouse know where records of previous years IRS returns and also current year materials are kept?
Are medical and dental records up to date? Does each spouse know where all records are kept, including pet records?
Reference Phone Numbers and Websites
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits (800) 827-1000 Life Insurance (800) 669-8477 Website: www.va.gov
