Arrange military benefits, if applicable

If the deceased was a veteran, you might consider arranging for military honors at the burial service. Under law, this honor is to be provided at no cost for eligible veterans and active members of the military. Veterans – and in some cases their spouses and dependents – also may qualify for additional military benefits, including no-cost burial plots and grave markers and reimbursement of other funeral-related expenses. See below for all the details.

Military Funeral Honors

Eligibility

To be considered eligible, the following criteria must be met: the deceased was a member on active duty; was a former member who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable; was a former member who completed at least one term of enlistment, or period of initial service in the Selected Reserve and ended service under conditions other than dishonorable; or was a former member who was discharged from service due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

What military honors look like in practice
If the deceased is determined to be eligible for military honors, an honor guard will attend the burial. The honor guard will consist of at least two members of the Armed Forces, with one being a representative of the branch in which the deceased served. At a minimum, the honor guard will conduct a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of “Taps.” If possible, “Taps” will be played by a bugler. However, keep in mind that nowadays very few people learn to play the bugle so a recording of “Taps” might be used.

Consider the deceased’s wishes
Military honors can obviously be a nice addition to a burial and a wonderful way to thank and honor the deceased for their military service. One thing to keep in mind, however, is whether the deceased would have wanted this honor. Some who serve prefer to not acknowledge their service or feel their service was not of note. This can be a deeply personal issue, so consulting with the deceased’s family before scheduling military honors is recommended.

Military Benefits for Funeral-related Costs

If the deceased was a member of the U.S. military at some point during their lives they also might be eligible to have certain funeral costs covered in full or in part, according the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For example, benefits available at no cost include a gravesite in any of the 133 national cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a headstone or marker, a burial flag and a President Memorial Certificate. Keep in mind that an eligible spouse and dependents of veterans are also entitled to this benefit, even if they die before the veteran.

The same benefits are in place for veterans buried in private cemeteries too. However, there are not any VA benefits available to spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery.

Funeral directors are the best resource for requesting and receiving the above benefits, so it is wise to let them coordinate it all.

In addition to the above benefits, the VA also will cover some funeral expenses. Under the current program guidelines, the VA will reimburse a portion of funeral or burial expenses as follows:

For deaths related to military service:

• The VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.

For veterans who died non-service-related deaths:

• The VA will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by the VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by the VA at time of death), and a $700 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery).

To be eligible to receive benefits on behalf the deceased, the following must all apply:

• You paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral.
• You have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran’s employer.
• The veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, must have been receiving or eligible for a VA pension or compensation, and/or have died while under the care of or at the expense of the VA.

For more information about VA funeral benefits and details about applying for them, you can call them toll-free at 1-800-827-1000. You also can learn more by clicking here.