Funeral Benefits Available for Veterans

Veterans that are serving or have served in the military are entitled to some funeral benefits whether they have died on active duty or outside of it. Veterans and their families should be aware of the kinds of benefits they are eligible to receive the military. Here’s a brief look at what you can expect from the military:

1. All Military Veterans

All veterans that have served or are actively serving are eligible to the benefits mentioned below:

• Burial in a national cemetery of their choice
• Marble or granite headstone
• Flag
• Free opening and closing of the grave
• Liner
• Setting grave marker

2. Veterans that Die in Active Duty

If the veteran dies in active duty, all of their funeral expenses are covered. The military will prepare the body, provide the casket, and transport the decedent to the destination where they will be buried, and pay for other related expenses. The closest relative and next-of-kin will receive a total of $100,000 in death gratuity.

3. Veterans That Die Due to Service Injuries

The military will cover the funeral cost by providing $2,000 of burial allowance. This money can be spent on hiring a funeral director, buying a casket, and transporting the body to the cemetery. This is free of cost if the decedent is buried in the national cemetery (although there are some exceptions). The benefits are usually decided on a case-to-case basis.

4. Veterans that Died of Causes not Connected to the Military Service

These veterans don’t get additional benefits aside from the ones mentioned in the first point. They’ll receive burial in a national cemetery, a marble or granite headstone, and a flag.

If you want to know more about funerals or want to plan one, don’t hesitate to call Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home for more information.