VA Burial Benefits
Tracy Renee Lee • May 28, 2020
Quite often, I serve a family who has lost a veteran and sincerely believes they are entitled to some wonderful (non-existing) burial funds from the US government. While it is true, the government has funds set aside for Veteran’s death benefits, it has been my experience that almost no one ever qualifies for them.
Presently, I have a veteran in my embalming room who will be buried this weekend. Unfortunately, he did not prepare financially for his death. He, like his family, believed that he qualified for plenty of money to cover his final expenses through his military service. In reality, if his family ever sees a cent from the government, I will be very pleasantly surprised.
It has long been my opinion that the government intentionally writes information to confuse the average American citizen. For this reason, I will attempt to explain the necessary qualifications your veteran MUST meet for governmental funding to cover his or her final expenses and the benefits for which he or she MIGHT qualify.
While reading this article, please note that the government "MIGHT" (which means maybe or maybe not) pay benefits for your veteran, while your veteran "MUST" (which means shall or is obliged to) meet the requirements as set forth through the VA. Before we begin, however, I want to tell you exactly what I tell my mother almost daily.
“The government does not establish requirements to qualify you for aid; they establish restrictions in order to disqualify you. If the government, an attorney or an insurance company is asking you a question, understand that they are trying to find information to disqualify you from any funds for which you are asking, or in which you stand in need.”
So, what are these burial benefits, and how is a veteran not disqualified from them?
REQUIREMENT aka. Restriction
Every veteran that has been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable MIGHT be eligible for VA memorial benefits.
PLAIN ENGLISH
If you were dishonorably discharged, you are disqualified from VA memorial benefits.
If you were not dishonorably discharged, the VA MIGHT have other ways to disqualify you.
INTERMENT BENEFITS
Interment benefits MIGHT include burial or inurnment in a national cemetery. If so, the burial plot, headstone, grave-liner, opening and closing and perpetual care would likewise be included. Please understand that these elements are only provided at a national cemetery.
If your veteran is interred at any other cemetery and meets the discharge requirement listed above, the VA MIGHT provide a governmental regulated headstone. Please recognize that although they MIGHT provide a headstone; they will not set the stone. You will still incur fees for the setting of the stone. You must also have someone willing to accept delivery of the stone. These stones are heavy and are generally delivered by a large semi truck. Once the stone has been accepted, one must also transport it to the cemetery at the appropriate time. Some stone setters will come by the delivery location and retrieve the stone. Be sure to ask your stone setter for this service but be prepared to pay for it. If you locate a stone setter prior to ordering the stone, you might ask if it can be delivered to the stone setter's place of work. That would be convenient for you.
Interestingly enough, the VA does not provide FINAL honors at a veteran’s funeral. Military honors are provided through the Department of Defense. Public Law 106-65 provides that every eligible veteran receive “final honors.” Please note that a veteran must qualify for these honors under the above-mentioned requirement. Final honors include the folding and presentation of a burial flag and the rendering of Taps. Although many expect it, 21 gun salutes are not included in the description of "final honors." In addition, ample time allowances are required when requesting this ceremony. Be prepared to hold your services in accordance with the honor guards schedule rather than your own.
Please note that interment benefits only apply to things that happen at the cemetery. They do not cover preparation of the veteran for burial or transportation of the veteran to the cemetery. These expenses are referred to as funeral expenses.
FUNERAL EXPENSE BENEFITS
A veteran’s family pays for all funeral expenses. If they are lucky, they MIGHT be reimbursed for a portion of them. These expenses include, but are not limited to, removal of remains, preparation of the body (embalming, casketing, dressing, disinfecting or cremating of remains), funeral arrangements (visitation, viewing, memorial, funeral or other ceremonies), funeral and burial merchandise (caskets, vaults, register books, funeral folders, acknowledgement cards, flowers, etc.) and privately, municipality or state owned cemetery property.
Service Related Death
BENEFIT: $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths occurring on or after September 11, 2001.
RESTRICTIONS:
•MUST have been discharged under condition other than dishonorable.
•MUST have been involved in a military action at the moment of death.
•MUST apply for the funds within two years of final disposition.
Non-Service Related Death
BENEFIT: Up to $722 toward funeral expenses and $722 interment allowance for deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2012.
RESTRICTIONS:
•MUST have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
•MUST apply for funds within two years of final disposition.
•
•Oh, remember those other ways you MIGHT be disqualified mentioned under “PLAIN ENGLISH"?
PLAIN ENGLISH NON-SERVICE RELATED DEATH BENEFITS DISQUALIFIERS
You are disqualified for these benefits if:
•Your veteran was dishonorably discharged.
•You fail to apply within two years of final disposition using VA Form 21-530.
•You have received funds from another source, i.e. decedent’s employer or a state agency.
In addition to the aforementioned disqualifiers, your veteran MUST meet at least one of the following conditions to dodge disqualification from death benefits.•Your veteran MUST have died due to a service-related disability (OR)
•Your veteran MUST have been receiving a VA pension or VA compensation at the time of death (OR)
•Your veteran MUST have been entitled to receive a VA pension or VA compensation, but decided not to reduce his or her military retirement or disability pay (OR)
•Your veteran MUST have died in a VA hospital, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility (OR)
•Your veteran MUST have died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment or care (OR)
•Your veteran MUST have an original or reopened claim pending at time of death and would have been entitled to VA compensation or pension from a date prior to the date of death (OR)
•Your veteran MUST have died on or after October 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA approved state nursing home.
Your application packet MUST include the following:•VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Benefits
•Proof of military service (DD 214)
•Death Certificate
•Copy of funeral bill
•Copy of burial bill
The information for this article was obtained from experience as a military wife and funeral director, www.benefits.va.gov and VFW magazine. I hope this helps you understand how and who qualifies for VA burial benefits.
The past two weeks have been difficult for me. I have suffered the loss of a dear friend and have served families that have suffered great losses. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unwarranted loss, stress, and heartache to so many people this year. Not only have we lost loved ones, but we have lost our economy, our comfort, and our security as Americans. Everywhere I look, it seems that people are rude and uncaring toward each other when what we need is love. I wish we could be kind to each other, considerate to each other, and help each other through our difficulties rather than burning cities, burning businesses, and tearing apart what makes up great, our Union. Americans are the most blessed people in the world. We live in a time of convenience and wealth. Why is it then that we can’t add kindness and respect to our society? Why must there be murders and brutal attacks on innocent people walking down the street? I work with families every day who would give all that they have for just one more moment with their loved one to say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you.” Time is so precious, but even more precious is the way that we treat others. For if we treat others with contempt, we will reap the bitter reward of hatred. Hate eats a person from the inside out, and no matter how hard a hateful person tries to find happiness, it will never come to them. I know this because I see it every day. A hateful heart has no room for happiness. Happiness only comes to those who love. Love is like light. Light is the only thing that is stronger than the dark. If you have a completely dark room and you strike a match, the light from that match will push the darkness away and light up the room. Conversely, if you have a room filled with light and you cup your hands to create a spot of darkness. As soon as you open your hands, the dark is gone. Light overpowers it just as love overpowers hate. Love is the only thing that is stronger than hate. If you strike an ember of love in the heart of someone full of hate, love will grow and overtake their hatred. In my profession, love is very important. I see all too often those who have pushed love aside thinking that they were winning an argument or for some other ridiculous reason. What I see when this happens is that at the end of life, those who were foolish and let hatred get the best of them suffer the most. They remain miserable for the rest of their lives. Don’t be one of these people. Don’t let hatred get the best of you. And most assuredly, let us not allow hatred to overtake our country. I don’t want to live in a world filled with hatred and discontent. I want happiness and love for all. I especially want love in your life when you suffer loss because believe me, when the grim reaper knocks, it’s too late to cry for one more moment to say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you.” At that moment, the weight of hatred crushes every hope you ever had to make amends, to accomplish happiness, or to right any wrong you may have perpetrated. It’s too late and you are the person who will suffer the consequences of your vicious actions. You are the person who will have no friends, no love, and who will die alone; miserable because of your hatred and terrible deeds. I know because I see it in so many people who thought they could just make a statement, a judgment, or an action and not suffer the consequences. In the end, it’s the hateful people who suffer the consequences. They die alone without love or support. Their needs are not met and they writhe in misery. I lost a dear friend this past week. He was kind, loving, and good. He made the world a better place, and he made my life happier through his actions of kindness toward me. I wish everyone alive could have known my friend. Christ died to make man holy, and my friend John took up his offer. John was a holy man. He lived his life serving others, teaching others, and helping anyone who needed help. He was filled with love and he shared his love with those who needed it. If we could all be like John, the world would be an amazingly happy and beautiful place. John is gone and I feel the weight of his loss deeply in my soul. He leaves a legacy of service to our nation, service to Christ, and service to anyone who needed it. He was a good man, a great man, and now he is gone. I will have the honor of directing his memorial service in a few days. The church will be bursting as those who John served make their way there to express their sorrow and love for him. I will be one of those people. John’s legacy will continue in his absence because he ignited goodness, love, and service in the hearts of those about him. May we all understand and embrace John’s mission in life to serve and love our fellow beings. Doing so will bring us the greatest rewards. It will fill our lives with the greatest gifts on earth; joy, happiness, and love. This is my prayer for you, for our nation, and for the world during this time of uncertainty and discontent. Thank you, John, for being my friend, and my God bless you as you arrive home, never to suffer more, the pains of the world nor heartaches of men. Godspeed.
I received a first call late last night and was therefore at the hospital when I ran into an acquaintance of mine. As we spoke, she told me that her father had recently died. She began to cry and I offered to send over a set of my grief books (Mourning Light I, II, & III) to her office the following morning. I wrote her a sympathy card and delivered the books about 15 minutes ago. She had not yet arrived at her office, so I left the books and card with her secretary. The following is the note I wrote in the sympathy card. I thought I would share it, in hopes that it might help others who mourn as well. Dear Friend, February will be the 2nd anniversary of my grandson’s death. It is said that “Death is Final”; that is untrue. The pain and loneliness remain in my soul, and it feels as though I held his lifeless body, yesterday, in my arms. That day broke me; it almost killed me. Had I not had the love and support of my husband and children, I don’t think my sanity would have remained with me. The pain continues to crush my soul with anguish. There are 4 things that have helped me survive the debilitating pain of losing my grandson, and I wanted to share them with you in hopes that you might find peace in them as well. Prayer Prayer was, and continues to be, my saving grace. Without the love and promise of Christ’s redeeming grace, peace would remain unobtainable. Recounting my Experience Sharing my story out loud made it real. It took away my fear. It gave me power over the chaos of pain. Information As a certified grief counselor, knowing what to expect and whether it was normal or abnormal helped keep my worries at bay. The books that I have sent over are filled with information, plainly and simply written, to help you understand and identify the symptoms of grief, as well as recovery’s signs and secrets. Journaling Writing down my anguishes, thoughts, pains, worries, and fears helped me to let them go. I was able to organize myself, and it gave me hope for my future. I am sorry for the dreadful sorrow in your heart, and the pain that infiltrates your daily existence. I understand that breathing feels unnatural, it takes effort to continue on, and that peace eludes you. I wish that death did not exist, but it is a reality that the both of us know all too well; one that we must endure. I believe that families are forever, that we are all God’s children, and that we will reunite with our loved ones across the veil as we too, one day, experience death. Until that day arrives, however, I pray that you and I will live our lives as emissaries of Christ, basking in his grace, and recipients of his glory. I hope that as you suffer the loss of your daddy that you will feel comfortable in reaching out to others, and that you might call me should you need assistance. The pain of grief should never be carried nor suffered in silence, nor alone. Reach out and allow those who love and care for you to lighten your burdens. Life will never be as it once was, but it will improve as you share priceless moments of peace with those who remain by your side. I hold you in high esteem, and pray that Christ’s promise will grace your soul. With Deepest Regards, Tracy Lee My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C), Funeral Director (FDIC), published author, syndicated columnist, and co-founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, and Grief BRIEFs related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award. It is my life's work to comfort the bereaved and help them live on, as well as educate adults in the needs of surviving children.