The following information is presented to you as a service of Bass & Gasper Funeral Homes and obtained from the Veteran's Administration.

REIMBURSEMENT OF BURIAL EXPENSES

The VA will pay a burial allowance up to $1,500 if the veteran’s death is service-connected. In some instances, VA also will pay the cost of transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran to the national cemetery nearest the home of the deceased that has available gravesites. In such cases, the person who bore the veteran’s burial expense may claim reimbursement from VA.

The VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility also may be established when death occurs in a VA facility, a nursing home under VA contact or a state nursing home. Additional costs of transportation of the remains may be paid. There is no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-connected deaths. In other deaths, claims must be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation.

The VA will pay a $150 plot allowance when a veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. government jurisdiction under the following circumstances: the veteran was discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or would have been except for receiving military retired pay; or the veteran died in a VA facility. The $150 plot allowance may be paid to the state if a veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for veteran burials. Burial expenses paid by the deceased’s employer or a state agency will not be reimbursed. For information on monetary benefits, call 1-800-827-1000.

This information was obtained from the 2000 Federal Benefits for Veterans and Their Dependents pamphlet.

BURIAL IN A PRIVATE CEMETERY

• When responding to an offer of a "free" gravesite for veterans, ask if there is a requirement to purchase an additional gravesite.
• If an additional gravesite is required, where will it be located and what the cost is?
• What type of trust fund does the cemetery have to protect buyers?
• Ask if there are restrictions on the type of headstone or marker that can be used to mark the grave.
• Does the cemetery require a special marker base to be purchased prior to ordering a free government marker for a veteran's grave?
• Is there an additional cost for the placement, setting or care of a free government headstone or marker? Is it more than if a private headstone or marker is purchased?
• Is an outside container (usually called a "vault" or "grave liner") required and how much does it cost?
• Know what you are receiving and what is required by the company and have them put it in writing prior to burial.

Only an eligible veteran may receive a Government-provided headstone or marker for placement in a private cemetery. Veteran’s spouses and dependent children are not eligible.

VETERAN GRAVE MARKERS

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker to mark the unmarked grave of an eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world.

By law, Government markers are not provided to be used as foot stones and should not be used to double-mark a veteran’s grave. VA relies on the integrity of the applicant to request a Government-provided headstone or marker only if the grave is not, or will not be, marked with a private headstone or marker.

Headstones and markers are provided for eligible spouses and dependents of veterans only when buried in a national, military post/base, or State veterans cemetery. Spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery are not eligible for a Government-provided headstone or marker.

Flat bronze, granite or marble markers and upright granite and marble headstones are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

BURIAL FLAGS

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides approximately 484,000 American burial flags for deceased veterans annually.

Only one burial flag may be provided per veteran. Most veterans are eligible for a burial flag. Reservist entitled to retired pay are also eligible to receive a burial flag.

When burial is in a national, state or post cemetery a burial flag will be provided. When burial is in a private cemetery, burial flags may be obtained from VA regional offices, national cemeteries and most U.S. post offices by completing VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes, and submitting it with a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers at any of these locations.

VA cannot provide flag holders for placement on private headstones or markers.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.