honoring those who served
Veteran Services
Veterans and their families may be eligible for honors and benefits that can become part of funeral arrangements. We’re here to help you understand what may be available, assist with the necessary paperwork, and coordinate those details as part of the services you choose.
Understanding Veterans Benefits
A veteran’s military service may provide their family with certain funeral and burial benefits. Depending on eligibility and
the family’s wishes, these may include military funeral honors, presentation of the American flag, burial in a veterans cemetery,
a government-furnished headstone or marker, and other available benefits.
We’ll help you understand what may be available, gather the information needed, and coordinate
with the appropriate organizations to incorporate those benefits into the arrangements.
Veteran Burial Benefits
The veterans death benefits help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition.
Click on the questions below to learn more.
Who Qualifies?
- A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge
- A service member who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
- The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran died first
- In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran
How do I apply?
You can apply online here or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530.
What if I need help?
Our staff is committed to providing quality service and professional assistance to help families complete the necessary forms to obtain benefits. For online information visit here or VA office 800-827-1000.
Burial and Funeral Services
The service for veterans will be determined by the status of the veteran. The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony includes the folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veterans family and the playing of Taps. The ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least two members of the Armed Forces. For further information please visit: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance
Headstones for Veterans
The Department of Veteran Affairs provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker fill out VA Form 10-1330 and send to:
Fax: 800-455-7143
Or mail the discharge papers and the form to:
Memorial products Service (41B)
Department of Veteran Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3903of the Armed Forces.\
For more information please visit:
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/
Burial Flags
You may be eligible for a burial flag if you’re the next of kin or a close friend of the Veteran or Reservist and one of the descriptions below is true for that person. Form VA form 27-2008 will need to be filled out and given to your Funeral Director, a VA Regional office, or a United States Post Office. For further information visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/burial-flags/
Presidential Memorial Certificate
You may be eligible if you meet both of the requirements listed below.
- The Veteran or Reservist is eligible for burial in a national cemetery
- You’re next of kin, family member, or close friend of the Veteran or Reservist (or an authorized service representative for a family member or friend of the Veteran or Reservist)
To request more copies of PMC please download and fill out VA Form 40-0247. For further information please visit: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates/
