How do we arrange military funeral honors?
October 28, 2008
• Military funeral honors include the playing of taps, a flag presentation and gun salute
• Arrangements for military honors are made by the mortuary of family
How do we get an American Flag for burial?
October 28, 2008
• If the veteran’s death is in a VA Medical Center, a burial flag will be furnished to the mortuary which will be given to the family or a close associate of the deceased veteran
• If a veteran’s death is within the community, the mortuary will help the family to get a American Flag for burial
Who may file a claim and is there a time limit?
October 28, 2008
• Only the person who paid the veteran’s burial expenses may file a claim for reimbursement Call the VA regional office at 1(800)827-1000 for more information
• There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected death
• In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation
What is the reimbursement for mortuary and burial expenses?
October 28, 2008
The VA will pay:
• $300 for funeral costs when death occurs within..
…a VA facility
…a nursing home under VA contract
…a state veterans nursing home
• $300 for burial (if buried in a private cemetery)
• Up to $2000 if the veteran’s death is service-connected
• Transportation cost of the remains may be paid
Who can receive mortuary and burial allowances?
October 28, 2008
• Any veteran whose death occurs..
…as an inpatient at a VA Facility
…as a patient in a nursing home under VA contract
…as a patient in a state veterans nursing home
• Any veteran who at the time of death was entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to receipt of military retirement pay
Is there a national VA website?
October 28, 2008
Yes, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a website that you can access by going to www.va.gov and clicking on benefits tab or the burials & memorials tab.
What details should we plan for in honoring our loved one.
October 28, 2008
You may want to plan a memorial to honor the life of your loved one.
Music and art are often an important part of honoring the dead. You may choose to play some of your loved one’s favorite music as well display photographs of their life.
Is there a special garment that they may have wanted to be buried or cremated in.
Are there any special items that might be placed with the body in the casket? Often jewelry or special mementos or even a note might be buried along with the body.
What is the purpose of embalming?
October 28, 2008
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, retards the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.
Why have a public viewing?
October 28, 2008
Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary.
What does a funeral director do?
October 28, 2008
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the final disposition of the body. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death.