• The mortuary can notify the Social Security Administration of the death with Social Security form SSA-721 • The mortuary cannot file a claim for Social Security burial allowances • Survivors can also contact the Social Security Administration directly Claims are made by the survivor
• Some mortuaries will file a VA claim for reimbursement of mortuary and burial allowances on behalf of the family and mail it to the VA Regional Office • It is the family’s responsibility to ask the mortuary if they filed the claim. If they have not, then the family may file th
• VA employees cannot recommend a mortuary or any funeral arrangements • For families unfamiliar with local services, mortuaries are listed in the yellow pages. They are pleased to give information about their services
Burial at a national cemetery is a free benefit for being an honorably discharged veteran. The marker, opening and closing of the gravesite, perpetual care and anything else related to the cemetery is free
• A veteran who comPleted the required period of military service and has been discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable • Veteran’s spouses and children under 21 years of age, and dependent children over 21 who have been dependent on the
VA will provide memorial markers for eligible veterans of deceased service members who remains were: • not recovered or identified • buried at sea • donated to science • cremated and scattered The memorial marker must be placed in a national, state veterans, local or private cemetery.
