Benefit Guide to How the Military Helps in Times of Grief

Service members and military family members should be aware of military memorial and burial benefits before you need them. In appreciation of the supreme sacrifice that a service member makes, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides memorial and burial services for eligible service members. Certain active duty, reserve and veteran members may be entitled to memorial and burial benefits from the military. Available burial benefits include a gravesite in any of the 124 national cemeteries with space available, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate all at no cost to the family. Memorial and Burial Benefits From the Military Memorial and burial benefits are also available to the spouse and dependents of a veteran. These benefits include burial with the veteran in a national cemetery, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name, date of birth and death will be inscribed on the veteran's headstone at no cost to the family. Service members who die in the line of duty and veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Reservists and National Guard members are eligible if they were entitled to retired pay at the time of death. If you've already paid for the burial arrangements of your loved one whose cause of death is not service-related, the military will reimburse your burial expenses. You can apply for reimbursement by submitting proof of your loved one's military service, a death certificate and copies of funeral and burial bills you paid to the military. Comments (0) Show/Hide comments Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Website Title Comment Add Comment