Veterans Resources
Who is eligible?
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Veterans discharged under conditions other than
dishonorable.
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The veteran died because of a service-related
disability OR....
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The veteran was receiving VA pension or
compensation at the time of death OR....
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The veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or
compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement
or disability pay OR....
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The veteran died in a VA hospital, in a nursing
home under VA contract, or while in an approved State nursing
home.
How much does the VA pay?
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Service Related
Death: VA will pay an allowance toward the
burial expenses for service-related deaths. If the veteran is
buried in a VA National Cemetery, some or all of the cost of
transporting the decease may be reimbursed.
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Nonservice-Related
Death: VA will pay an allowance toward burial, funeral, and
plot-interment costs. If the death happened while the
veterain was in a VA hospital or under VA contracted nursing home
care, some or all of the costs for transporting the deceased's
remains may be reimbursed.
How to Apply?
You can apply by filling out VA Form
21-530, Application for Burial Benefits. You should
attach proof of the veteran's military service (DD 214), a death
certificate, and copies of funeral and burial bills you have
paid.
Burial Flags
A United States flag is provided , at no cost, to
drape the casket or accpmpany the urn of a decease veteran who
served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. You may apply for
the flag by completing VA Form 21-2008,
application for United States Flag for Burial purposes. It is
furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to
his or her Country. Generally the flag is given to the
next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral
service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the
flag to a friend making a request for it. For those VA
National Cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans
buried in these National Cemeteries may donate the burial flags of
their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.
Presidential Memorial
Certificates
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an
engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to
honor the memory of an honorably discharged deceased veteran.
The next-of-kin, or someone acting on his/her behalf, may apply for
a PMC by completing VA Form 40-0247.
Military Funeral Honors
The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for
providing military funeral honors. "Honoring Those of Served"
is the title of the DOD program for providing dignified military
funeral honors to veterans who have defended our Nation. Upon
the family's request, Public Law 106-65 requires that every
eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony, to
include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and
the playing of Taps.The law defines a military funeral honors
detail as consisting of two or more uniformed militery persons,
with at least one being a member of the verteran's parent service
of the armed forces.
VA National Cemeteries
Burial in a VA National Cemetery is available for
eligible veterans, their spouses and dependents at no cost to the
family. VA operates 122 National Cemeteries, of which 83 are
open for new internments and 21 of these accept only cremated
remains. The closest National Cemetery to Clinton is located
on the Rock Island Arsenal Island.
Headstones and Markers
Public Law 110-157, allows the VA to furnish a
Goverment headstone or marker for the graves of eligible veterans
who on or after November 1, 1990 , regardless of whether the grave
is already marked with a privately purchased headstone or
marker.
Source and Additional
Reference
http://www.cem.va.gov/
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