|
Benefits
are available to veterans discharged or separated from active duty under
conditions other than dishonorable who have completed the required period
of service, or U.S. Armed Forces members who die on active duty.
Spouses and dependent children of eligible living and deceased veterans,
and of current and deceased armed forces members, may also be eligible.
Note:
The surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried a non-veteran
prior to October 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was terminated by death
or divorce prior to or on that date is eligible for burial in a national
cemetery. A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried
a non-veteran prior to October 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was intact
on or after that date, however, is not eligible for burial in a national
cemetery. A surviving spouse who remarries a non-veteran after October
31, 1990, is not eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Burial
Grave in a National Cemetery
The
United States Government provides free burial in a National Cemetery to
all those eligible. This includes the grave site, opening and closing of
the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria
niches for the internment of cremated remains or special sections for burial
of cremated remains.
Headstones
and Markers
The
United States Government provides headstones and markers for the graves
of veterans and eligible dependents anywhere in the world. Flat bronze,
flat granite, flat marble and upright marble types are available to mark
the grave of a veteran or dependent in the style consistent with exiting
monuments at the place of burial. Bronze niche markers are also available
to mark columbaria in national cemeteries used for internment of cremated
remains. (Some cemeteries charge for marker installation.)
Burial
at Sea
Burial
at sea is not just a tradition that was practiced by the Navy of old. It
is a means of final disposition of cremains and intact remains that is
offered to and still utilized by active duty, retired, and honorable veterans
of all branches of the United States military. Burial at sea services are
performed while the vessel is on official maneuvers. Therefore, it is impossible
for the family to be present. The family will be notified by the commanding
officer of that vessel of the date time, longitude, and latitude of the
committal service.
Individuals
eligible for this program are members of the uniformed services, veterans
discharged under honorable conditions, United States civilian marine personnel
of the Military Sea Lift Command, and dependents of members, retirees,
and veterans of the uniformed services.
Ports
of Embarkation
Bremerton,
Washington
Naval Hospital
Bremerton, Washington
98312-5008
(206) 478-9388
|
|
|
|
Jacksonville,
Florida
Naval Hospital Branch
Clinic
Naval Station
Mayport, Florida
32228
(904) 270-5303
|
Long Beach,
California
Naval Hospital
Long Beach, California
90822-5199
(310) 420-5263
|
|
|
Norfolk,
Virginia
Naval Medical Center
620 John Paul Jones
Circle
Portsmouth, Virginia
23708-5100
(804) 398-5573
|
Newport,
Rhode Island
Naval Hospital
Newport, Rhode Island
02841-5003
(401) 841-4128
|
|
|
San Diego,
California
Naval Hospital
San Diego, California
92134-5000
(619) 532-8323
|
San Francisco,
California
Naval Hospital
Oakland, California
94627-5000
(510) 633-5692
|
Presidential
Memorial Certificate
The
Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment with a calligraphic inscription
expressing the nation's grateful recognition of the veteran's service.
The veteran's name is inscribed, and the certificate bears the signature
of the President and the presidential seal in gold foil.
Reimbursement
of Burial Expenses
The
United States Government provides a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance
for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive pension
or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt
of military retirement pay. Eligibility is also established when death
occurs in a Veterans Administration facility or a nursing home which the
Veterans Administration contracted, and additional costs of transportation
of the remains may be reimbursed in those cases. Claims must be filed within
two years after permanent burial or cremation.
United
States Burial Flag
The
United States Government provides an American flag to drape the casket
of a veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or
a close associate of the deceased.
How to Contact
the Veterans Administration
Military
veterans and their dependents are entitled to a variety of benefits depending
on their circumstances. Contact the Veterans Affairs office to determine
what benefits can he claimed and then gather the information required.
Before you can
file you will need:
-
Certified
copy of or original DD214 (Enlisted Record of Separation).
-
Certified
copy of or original marriage certificate.
-
Certified
copy of Death Certificate.
-
Verification
of amount of life insurance you will receive as a result of veteran's death.
-
Paid
receipts for funeral and cemetery expense.
-
Paid
receipts for hospital and doctor bills incurred by last illness, if applicable.
-
Social
Security number for yourself and your dependent children.
If
the veteran or yourself was previously married:
-
A certified
copy of or original divorce decree, or a Death Certificate proving the
previous marriage was dissolved by divorce or death.
If
there are dependent children:
-
For
children under the age of 18, or over 18 and still in school, you need
certified copies of original birth certificates for each.
-
If
over 18 and still in school, you will need VA Form 21-674 filled out.
If
either of you currently receive Social Security benefits:
-
You
will need to know the exact amount received for each of you.
If
you already have a VA claim number:
-
You
must furnish the VA with the claim number you have been assigned.
If
either of you receive additional income:
-
The
source and exact amount of the benefit must be reported to the VA.
Important
If you qualify
for Social Security benefits, you should go to the Social
Security office before going to the Veteran's Administration office.
Once you have
all the forms and information that apply to you, call the VA office and
make an appointment to file your claim.
Veterans
Administration
Your
VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE Telephone Number is:
(800) 827-1000
Return
to Top |
