Veterans have served and sacrificed for the citizens of the United States, and the nation honors their commitment not only in life but also in death. Burial rights for veterans are an essential part of the benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal, state, and local agencies. We have specialized in helping the families of veterans maximize their benefits for serving our great country.

All honorably discharged veterans are entitled to a free burial in a national cemetery and an American burial flag, as well as a marker for those who are buried in any cemetery. Many people are not aware that those who choose cremation are also entitled to a free bronze medallion for their urn.

For those who choose a free burial in a national cemetery, the government supplies the burial plot, prepares the grave, and provides an outer burial container for the veteran, their spouse, and their disabled children.

If the veteran was receiving disability, widows/widowers may be entitled to survivor benefits based on their specific circumstances. Many times, assistance with these benefits requires the help of the Veteran’s Administration, however, a knowledgeable funeral director can help significantly by making sure the death certificate is completed properly to reflect service-connected issues.

Today, many Vietnam veterans are suffering with service-related illnesses. Often times, their final cause of death is cancer, so their end-of-life care falls into the hands of a hospice doctor, who hasn’t been involved with their prior medical care. When the hospice doctor signs the death certificate, cancer is often the only cause of death listed, when the veteran may have been dealing with other service-connected issues, like Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, or some other complication from Agent Orange exposure while at war, prior to their hospice care. A knowledgeable funeral director can alert the doctor of these conditions and explain the importance of them being included on the death certificate as contributing factors, so it streamlines the process for survivors to receive their full benefits.

We are also experienced with indigent burial benefits that are allocated to assist families of veterans that are in need of financial help at the time of death.

Additionally, we are very fortunate in our area to have local volunteer groups that provide full military rites, along with active-duty funeral honors that are provided to families. 

As a local, family-owned, full-service funeral home, we take pride in coordinating all these benefits for the families of veterans who served our country. If you have further questions, please call to arrange a time to sit down with me or send me an email at [email protected].