Veterans’ Burial Benefits
Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the gravesite, a headstone or maker, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Veterans and dependants are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. To be eligible, a Veteran must have been discharged or separated from duty under honorable conditions, and have completed the required period of service. Spouses and minor children are also eligible and may be buried in a national cemetery. You may not reserve gravesites and must apply for a site at the time of death. Your funeral director will be happy to help you with this. They will also schedule military honors on behalf of the Veteran. The VA provides an American flag to drape over the casket for the eligible person. After military honors have been performed, the flag is then presented to the next of kin, relative, or close associate.
Social Security Benefits
A one time lump sum payment of $255.00 is paid to an eligible party. You must be a spouse who lived with the deceased at the time of death, a surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death. You may also be eligible for benefits if you are a widow or widower age 60 or (50 if disabled), or any age if caring for a child that is disabled. You may also be a divorced widow/widower age 60 or (50 and disabled), married the last 10 years or caregiver of a child 16 or under or disabled. Unmarried children may be eligible up to 18, 19 if still attending primary or secondary school full time, children who are disabled before reaching age 22, as long as they remain disabled and dependant parent or parents 62 years of age or older.
