What to Do When a Veteran Passes Away

If you are the survivor of a military veteran, we are sorry for your loss. To help you through this difficult time, we have created a list of notifications that need to be made promptly after a veteran’s death.

Note that additional organizations need to be notified in the event of a military retiree’s death. If you are the survivor of a military retiree, please reference this list of notifications that need to be made after a retiree’s death.

Department of Veterans Affairs

If the veteran was receiving disability compensation or a veteran’s pension, or was enrolled in VA Health Care, their death needs to be reported to the VA to avoid overpayment and end program enrollment. This prevents further payments being made and saves survivors from having to return funds to the VA.

The quickest way to notify the Veterans Benefits Administration of a veteran’s death is by phone: 800-827-1000. Representatives are available from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Reports can also be made in person at a VA regional office or by mail. Representatives will need to confirm the veteran’s identity – typically the VA asks for the veteran’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death, and branch of service. Having a death certificate available can make reporting the death simpler.

If the veteran desired to be interred in a VA cemetery, their survivors must contact the VA to learn about the burial benefits and eligibility requirements. They will also need to provide documentation including service records. Survivors of veterans may be eligible for a burial allowance. The amount of the allowance will vary depending on whether the death was service connected, but will not be more than $2000. The National Cemetery Administration may also provide – at no cost to the survivor – a gravesite in a VA cemetery with open space, a grave liner, a headstone, a burial flag, and perpetual care of the grave. Keep in mind that even though there are memorial benefits and possible burial allowances, it is very likely that burial costs for a veteran will exceed these benefits.

If the veteran died from a service connected condition or was rated 100% disabled for a qualifying number of years, their surviving spouse and/or children could be eligible for Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC). However, this benefit is not automatically activated and the survivors must apply directly with the VA by completing the Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (VA Form 21P-534EZ)

Life Insurers

If the veteran was insured under a life insurance policy, the policy’s beneficiary must initiate a claim to receive the death benefit. This process varies by insurer, but typically, the beneficiary must fill out a form asking for payment and submit supporting documentation, including the veteran’s death certificate.

• If the veteran was insured under Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), their death must be reported to the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance. To initiate a claim, a survivor must submit Form SGLV 8283 and the veteran’s death certificate.

• If the veteran was insured under VA Life, claims can be filed online with the Department of Veterans Affairs or mailed in via U.S. Postal Service. In addition to the requested claim form, the veteran’s death certificate must also be provided.

Survivors of veterans who had Navy Mutual policies can report a death online or by calling 800-628-6011. Provided the policy is in good standing, Navy Mutual may release 10% of the death benefit up to $10,000 for immediate use after notification of the insured’s death.

Social Security Administration

In many cases, the funeral home that handles a veteran’s burial will report their death to the Social Security Administration. However, a survivor can also make that notification by calling 800-772-1213 – representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There may be monetary benefits available for survivors. However, survivors must apply for these benefits and can request an appointment with a Social Security specialist to complete the process.

• Surviving spouses are eligible for a one-time death benefit payment of $255. If there is no spouse among the survivors, this payment may be made to an eligible child.

• The veteran’s Social Security credits may qualify their survivors for monthly benefits. Surviving spouses and unmarried, dependent children are frequently eligible, but stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, adopted children, and dependent parents may also qualify.

If the veteran was receiving Social Security benefits at the time of their death, any payments received during the month of their death or after their death must be refunded to the Social Security Administration.

Other Organizations

When anyone passes away – not just a veteran – there are other organizations that should be notified of the death to maintain accurate records and to prevent identity theft. These include:

• The DMV, to cancel the deceased’s driver’s license or ID card and transfer the title of any vehicles they may have owned to a new owner.

• The Department of State, to cancel the deceased’s passport. Survivors may elect to have to passport returned to them after the Department of State completes their updates.

• Financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms, to transfer to close any accounts owned by the deceased. Final credit card bills will need to be paid at this time as well.

• The IRS, to submit a final tax return on behalf of the deceased.

• The deceased’s employer, if they were working at the time of their death, so that payroll and enrollment in benefits can be completed and terminated.

Survivors may also want to contact the veteran’s friends and any fraternal organizations to which the veteran may have belonged. Local newspapers may also need to be contacted if the veteran desired an obituary. At Navy Mutual, we recommend that all members of a family complete and maintain a Personal Log describing their wishes and providing valuable information to their survivors. Download a fillable Personal Log and share your desires with your loved ones today.