Cremation and Veterans Benefits
Your loved one courageously served our nation—so why not give him or her a patriotic send-off? All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are entitled to a FREE burial at a national cemetery, whether they chose a traditional funeral or cremation. These benefits include a cemetery lot, opening and closing of the grave, an outer burial container and a veteran grave marker.
Here is a detailed list of benefits:
VA Benefits for Reimbursement of Cremation Expenses
A. $300 is available for honorably discharged veterans if one of the following conditions are met:
- Veteran was receiving a pension or disability benefits from the VA at the time of death.
- Death occurred in a VA hospital.
- Death occurred in a VA nursing home or VA contracted health care facility.
B. $2,000 is available if one of the following conditions are met:
- Veterans died during active duty.
- Honorably discharged veteran died of a service-connected injury.
C. $300 Burial Plot Allowance is available when an honorably discharged veteran is not interred in a cemetery that is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. government if one of the following conditions are met:
- Veteran was receiving a pension or disability benefits from the VA at the time of death.
- Death occurred in a VA hospital.
- Death occurred in a VA nursing home or VA contracted health care facility.
D. Transportation Allowance for deceased veterans will be reimbursed by the VA for:
- Transportation expenses from the place of death to the cremation facility if the death occurred in a VA hospital or military hospital for retired and active duty personnel.
- Transportation expenses from the crematory to a National cemetery for veterans that either: Died from a service connected injury, were receiving a VA pension or disability benefits, or died in a VA or military hospital.
Interment In a National Cemetery
Many families of deceased veterans take advantage of interment benefits available through the Veterans Administration National Cemetery System. FREE gravespace for interment of cremated remains is available in any one of a number of VA National cemeteries located throughout the country.
Eligibility Requirements
All honorably discharged veterans, their spouses and minor/dependent children who have been cremated are eligible for interment in a national cemetery. In addition, certain members of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces, World War II Merchant Marines and Commissioned Officers of NOAA and the Public Health Service may also eligible. For a complete listing of eligibility requirements contact your local veterans affairs office or visit the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery System Web Site www.va.gov or www.cem.va.gov.
Interment Options
There is no charge for interment of cremated remains in a National Cemetery. Cremated remains may be interred in either an in-ground grave, a garden niche, or placed in a columbarium depending upon the family’s preference. Please note that not all National cemeteries provide for each of these three interment options. A complete listing of VA National Cemeteries and telephone numbers can be found at www.cem.va.gov.
Military Honors
Section 578 on the National Defense Act provides free military honors for eligible veterans whose families request them. The law includes a basic military funeral honor ceremony consisting of the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps. The military detail performing this ceremony will consist of two or more uniformed members of the military, with at least one member representing the branch in which the veteran served. Each military branch may also include additional elements of the ceremony such as a rifle volley. In most cases, the cremation society that you select will handle the details of scheduling the military ceremony if they assisted the family is setting up and coordinating the memorial service. For more information about military honors, you may visit the Department of Defense web site at www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil or www.dmdc.osd.mil/mfh/
Headstones, Markers and Monuments
If burial of the cremated remains takes place in a National Cemetery, the VA will provide a free granite or marble headstone or a granite, marble, or bronze marker. If burial takes place in a private cemetery, the VA will provide a free headstone consistent with the cemetery requirements. For veterans who’s cremated remains have been scattered, a memorial monument is available. Most cremation societies will take care of arranging for installation of a headstone, marker or memorial monument at no charge.
Contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to find out if you or a loved one are eligible to receive these valuable benefits by clicking www.va.gov or calling (800)827-1000.
For more information about cremation benefits for veterans and other cremation options, contact us today at (678)584-0914 or email us at info@georgiacremation.com . We’ll be happy to answer any questions and point you in the right direction.
