Veterans
All information is on the Veterans’ Administration website under VA burials benefits and memorial items.
Benefits may be more limited than you think, so do not just assume there will be no costs for the survivors. Understand that this is mostly a CEMETERY benefit, not funeral services, so you must make your own arrangements for a casket or cremation and urn and probably transportation. Some might be eligible for a “burial allowance,” but expect this to be under $1000.
Who is eligible?
Honorably discharged service members, with exceptions, along with a list of other specific groups. Also, spouses (not ex’s) and dependent children may be eligible.
If you plan ahead:
The VA will issue you a”pre-need decision letter.” If you have this, you can just call them when the need arises and their is no need to call a funeral provider. If you do NOT PLAN AHEAD, then the benefits are reimbursed per their schedule, as listed on their website.
Where can veterans be buried?
There are national cemeteries, managed by the VA. These are listed in their Find a Cemetery page.
There are also state-run veteran cemeteries. The VA lists those grant-funded cemeteries on a separate page.
NOTE: The VA will provide their marker for placement in a private cemetery, but you will probably have to pay to have it installed.
Burial at sea
This option is operated by the Navy Mortuary Affairs office for all eligible service members, their spouses and dependent children.
Info is on the Navy’s Burial At Sea page.
The survivor is responsible funeral services, including the casket or cremation and urn and for the cost of transporting the casket or urn to 1 of the 5 ports located in Norfolk VA, Jacksonville FL, Bremerton WA, Honolulu HI, and San Diego CA.