7 Important Benefits Veterans’ Survivors Should Know
From health care to education, help is available to military families. AARP Article
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 What to Do When a Veteran Has Passed Away; 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.