Veterans
End-of-Life & Burials
The American Legion Military and Veteran Burial Benefits and Funeral Honors
One of the eventualities in life that spouses and families of veterans face is the death of their loved one who served America in uniform. To help ease the burden on loved ones, veterans can make preparations in advance.
Navy Veterans – Burial at Sea
Questions concerning Burial-at-Sea? Please call Monday – Friday, 0730-1600 Central Time Toll Free – 1-866-787-0081
The Neptune Society
Article and resources – Veteran Cremation Costs: What Military Members and their Families Need to Know.
The Patriot Guard
100% Volunteer organization whose main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:
Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protester or a group of protesters.
Additionally, we have an active Help On The Homefront (HOTH) program, which provides assistance to our veterans and their families.
USA.gov – Death, Burial & Survivor Benefits for Veterans Burial Benefits, Death Benefits, and Memorial Items for Veterans
If you’re a veteran and your discharge was not dishonorable, you are probably eligible for burial in a national veterans cemetery. If you’re buried in a private cemetery, your family may be entitled to a veteran’s burial allowance. You are paying for the veteran’s burial and funeral costs. No other organization will reimburse you. You can receive military funeral honors and memorial items whether you’re interred in a veterans cemetery or a private one.
VA.gov – Burial Benefits – For Veteran’s spouses and dependents
Effective July 7, 2014: VA is changing its monetary burial benefits regulations to simplify the program and pay eligible survivors more quickly and efficiently. These regulations will authorize VA to pay, without a written application, most eligible surviving spouses basic monetary burial benefits at the maximum amount authorized in law through automated systems rather than reimbursing them for actual costs incurred.
Veteran Aid – What to Do When a Veteran Has Passed Away
The passing of a loved one can be an extremely difficult, emotional time. Unfortunately, there are usually many decisions to be made and actions to be taken by the surviving spouse and/or children, especially if the loved one was a veteran of U.S. military service. While there are numerous benefits, honors, and services to claim in your veteran’s name, it’s helpful to be prepared and organized to ensure his or her service is properly honored.
We Honor Veterans
The “No Veteran Dies Alone” (NVDA) program is inspired by the program called “No One Dies Alone,” and is designed to honor Veterans and to meet the needs of those Veterans who, for whatever reason, find themselves alone. This training manual and videos created in partnership with the PsychArmor Institute and Department of Veterans Affairs assists educators in engaging the community, especially Veteran volunteers, in improving end-of-life (EOL) care for Veterans. After completing their training, these volunteers will have expertise in military culture and the dying process and be able to provide the comfort of presence at the bedside when family and friends are unable to be near their loved ones. The two videos based on the NVDA volunteer training units “Introduction to Hospice and Palliative Care” and “Concepts of Death, Dying, and Grief” provide an overview so they may contribute to the comfort as part of the care plan to honor Veterans’ preferences.
Mesothelioma
20 Places in the Military with Asbestos Exposure and How Veterans Are at Risk
The brave men and women who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way while serving in our nation’s military were unaware that a hidden enemy lurked in nearly every setting, whether in battle, transport, or even their sleeping quarters. That enemy was asbestos, and while it didn’t cause immediate death, it slowly and quietly led to deadly asbestosis, mesothelioma, and asbestos lung cancer. Decades later, its relentless attack continues, and the death toll from military asbestos exposure continues to climb.
Mesothelioma Veterans Center
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center was founded in 2015 to help veterans with mesothelioma get the support needed to fight this cancer. Our team consists of U.S. veterans, patient advocates and nurses, and VA-accredited lawyers.
Veterans and Mesothelioma
Veterans suffer from mesothelioma at higher rates than most other demographic groups. Nearly a third of mesothelioma cases diagnosed are in military veterans. Mesothelioma.net offers veterans support through specialized medical care, assistance with VA claims, legal resources, and financial aid to manage their mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment effectively.”
At Mesothelioma.net our mission is to provide veterans with the very best in cancer treatment information, financial aid, 24/7 online support, and much more.
We also proudly sponsor The American Cancer Society, the MD Cancer Center, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Spouses & Families
Aid for Families
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits Program
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
DIC benefits for surviving spouses and dependents
DIC Rates for Veteran’s Spouses and Dependents – 2024
Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program (SBHCBP)
Military One Source – The Casualty Assistance Program Gold Star & Surviving Family Members – Resources
The Department of Defense’s Casualty Assistance Program makes sure that military families have support in their time of need, including understanding all benefits and other forms of assistance.
VA Launches New Life Insurance Plan
Veteran Aid
Our Service Is 100% Free to Veterans and Their Families. Learn About How Much You Are Eligible for and How to Apply and et Availability, Costs and Reviews for Eligible Care Communities Near You.
Veteran Service Officers provide free assistance for veterans and dependents to apply for VA benefits. Here is a link to find a local VSO
Caring for Veterans
Caring for Veterans
Whether recovering from a recent deployment or requiring increased help as they age, the veteran you care for may need a surprising breadth and depth of help.
Dementia Care – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Care for Veterans with Alzheimer’s or dementia is provided throughout the full range of VA health care services. Depending on the Veteran’s needs, services may include Home Based Primary Care, Homemaker and Home Health Aide, Respite Care, Adult Day Health Care, outpatient clinic, inpatient hospital, Nursing Home, Palliative Care, or Hospice Care. Caregiver support is also an essential part of these services.
Mesothelioma
20 Places in the Military with Asbestos Exposure and How Veterans Are at Risk
The brave men and women who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way while serving in our nation’s military were unaware that a hidden enemy lurked in nearly every setting, whether in battle, transport, or even their sleeping quarters. That enemy was asbestos, and while it didn’t cause immediate death, it slowly and quietly led to deadly asbestosis, mesothelioma, and asbestos lung cancer. Decades later, its relentless attack continues, and the death toll from military asbestos exposure continues to climb.
Mesothelioma Resources for Veterans
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center was founded in 2015 to help veterans with mesothelioma get the support needed to fight this cancer. Our team consists of U.S. veterans, patient advocates and nurses, and VA-accredited lawyers.
Veterans and Mesothelioma
Veterans suffer from mesothelioma at higher rates than most other demographic groups. Nearly a third of mesothelioma cases diagnosed are in military veterans. Mesothelioma.net offers veterans support through specialized medical care, assistance with VA claims, legal resources, and financial aid to manage their mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment effectively.”
At Mesothelioma.net our mission is to provide veterans with the very best in cancer treatment information, financial aid, 24/7 online support, and much more.
We also proudly sponsor The American Cancer Society, the MD Cancer Center, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Surviving Spouses & Families
7 Important Benefits Veterans’ Survivors Should Know
From health care to education, help is available to military families. AARP Article
8 Things You Didn’t Know About VA Burial Benefits
Clearing up confusion around getting help with military veterans’ funeral arrangements
vets.franklincountyohio.gov – Things to Know and Do Before a Veteran Dies
Sadly, our time with our loved one will come to end one day. We hope that time is in the distant future, but we know that one day we will face this loss. To help prepare you and your family, the Columbus VA Palliative Care Team has developed this resource guide.
Note: Hats off to the Franklin County Ohio Veterans Service Commission for creating this very helpful and informative Website!
VA Home Loan Programs for Surviving Spouses
10 Things You Didn’t Know About the VA Home Loan Program
2024 VA DIC rates for spouses and dependents
Veteran Assistance
Discount Memberships
Disabled Veterans
DAV – Disabled American Veterans Organization
When a death in the family happens, all too often, survivors find themselves ill-prepared to cope with the recent loss. Decisions have to be made, and if eligible, paperwork must be submitted to ensure VA benefits are received on the veteran’s behalf. If you think you might qualify for veterans’ death benefits, a DAV national service officer (NSO) can help you and your family at no charge or obligation. They are experienced with helping to ease the burden when a death in the family occurs. Find your local DAV office
Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI)
Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) provides low-cost coverage to eligible service members. This program stopped taking new applications after December 31, 2022. But if you already have S-DVI, you can keep it. Read this page to learn more about S-DVI.
Job Assistance
AARP Job Center: Veterans and Military Spouses – Get the skills you need for your next career