Veterans Benefits
We are honored to assist veterans and their families.
Veterans and their families may be eligible for burial, memorial, and financial benefits through the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligibility depends on the veteran's military service, discharge status, and other circumstances.
If you are making cremation arrangements for a veteran, please provide us with a copy of the veteran's
DD Form 214 (DD-214) or other military discharge documentation if available.
Who May Be Eligible?
In general, veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable may be eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits. Service members who die while on active duty may also be eligible.
Spouses and dependent children may qualify for certain burial benefits as well.
Because eligibility requirements can vary based on when and how the veteran served, the VA should make the final determination of eligibility.
How do you apply?
Depending on eligibility and the family's plans, VA benefits may include:
- Burial in a VA national cemetery
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Perpetual care
- Burial or inurnment of cremated remains
- A government headstone, marker, or niche marker
- A burial flag
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Certain memorial items
- Possible burial, funeral, plot, or transportation allowances
Not every benefit applies to every veteran or every type of final disposition.
Burial Flags
Eligible veterans and service members may receive a United States burial flag to honor their military service.
For cremation, the flag may be displayed with the urn or cremated remains and later presented to the next of kin or another appropriate recipient.
National Cemetery Burial
Eligible veterans, service members, and certain family members may qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery.
Cremated remains may be placed in a columbarium or buried in an available gravesite, depending on the cemetery and the family's wishes.
Families may also apply to the VA in advance for a
pre-need determination of eligibility
for burial in a national cemetery.
Headstones and Markers
The VA may provide an eligible veteran with a government headstone, grave marker, or niche marker.
Benefits and application procedures vary depending on whether the veteran will be placed in a national, state veterans, military, or private cemetery.
Presidential Memorial Certificate
Eligible family members and loved ones may request a Presidential Memorial Certificate honoring the veteran's military service.
The certificate bears the veteran's name and the signature of the current President of the United States.
Burial and Funeral Allowances
Some families may qualify for financial assistance from the VA toward burial, funeral, transportation, plot, or interment expenses.
Eligibility and payment amounts depend on several factors and can change over time. For current eligibility requirements and benefit amounts, families should contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs directly.
How We Can Help
Navigating veterans benefits can sometimes be confusing. Our staff can assist families with understanding and obtaining available burial and memorial benefits.
The most commonly requested benefit we assist with is the United States burial flag, but we can also help with: • Burial flags
• Presidential Memorial Certificates
• Government headstones and markers
• National cemetery burial or inurnment
• Other available VA burial and memorial benefits
Please provide us with the veteran's DD Form 214 (DD-214) or other military discharge documentation if available. This documentation is commonly needed to verify eligibility for veterans benefits.
If you do not have a copy, let us know. We can help direct you to resources for obtaining military service records.
Questions About VA Benefits?
For current information about eligibility, applications, burial allowances, national cemetery burial, and memorial benefits, contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA Benefits Hotline:
800-827-1000
You can also find current burial and memorial information through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If you have questions about cremation arrangements with the Cremation Society of Milwaukee, call us at:
Phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Address
2729 S 108th St West Allis, WI 53227