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Veterans Burial Benefits
Beinhauer Funeral • May 23, 2019
At Beinhauer Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, we believe the men and women who have served our nation deserve the same dedication and respect in return. We have gathered some information about Veteran’s Burial Benefits to help ensure families understand the options and resources that are available for their loved one’s funeral arrangements.
Burial Options for Veterans
National Cemetery
Burial benefits for veterans, at no cost to the family, include a gravesite at any of the national cemeteries that have available space as well as:
- Perpetual care
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Government marker or headstone
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- Burial Flag
The national cemeteries near the Pittsburgh area are the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies located in Bridgeville and the Allegheny Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot in Pittsburgh. It is important to prepare in advance for burial since the gravesites in the national cemeteries cannot be reserved ahead of time. During your pre-planning process, be sure to let your family know your wishes and where your discharge papers are located.
At the time of need, the family can contact Beinhauer Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, and we can assist them with making arrangements at one of the national cemeteries. We can also assist you with pre-planning to make this process easier for your family.
Private Cemetery
When choosing burial at a private cemetery, it is essential to keep in mind that there are no VA benefits available to spouses or dependents that are buried in a private cemetery. For veterans buried in a private cemetery benefits may include:
- Marker or medallion
- Burial Flag
- Government Headstone
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
These items will be provided at no cost to the family. Veterans, in some cases, may also be eligible for burial allowances.
Grave Medallions and Markers for Veterans
Upon request, the VA will furnish a Governments headstone or marker for an unmarked grave of any eligible deceased veteran. Government medallions may be provided for eligible Veterans whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone and marker and who served on or after April 6, 1917. Flat government markers are available in marble, bronze, or granite. Upright headstones are available in marble and granite.
Burial Flags and Presidential Memorial Certificates
For eligible Veterans, a United States flag is provided at no cost to the family to drape over the casket or to accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran to honor the memory of their military service. Beinhauer Funeral Homes can assist with obtaining this benefit. In most cases, the flag is given to the next-of-kin after the funeral service. In situations where there is no next-of-kin, the flag will be given to a friend at their request.
The Presidential Memorial Certificate or PMC is an engraved paper certificate that is signed by the current President and serves to honor the memory of deceased Veterans, specifically those who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Funeral Honors for Veterans
The Department of Defense (DOD) provides military honors for funerals. The DOD Program, “Honoring Those Who Served,” provides military honors to the Veterans who dedicated their lives to protecting our nation. Public Law 106-65, upon the request of the family, requires that each eligible Veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes:
- Folding/presenting of the U.S. burial flag
- Playing of Taps
Military funeral honors detail is defined by law as two or more uniformed military persons. One of the persons should be a member of the Veteran’s parent service of the armed forces. Your trusted funeral directors at Beinhauer Funeral homes can request military funeral honors, or the VA National Cemetery Association can provide assistance at National Cemeteries.
Information on Burial Allowances
The VA currently pays burial and plot or interment allowance at a flat rate to most eligible surviving spouses. For a non-service-connected death, the burial allowance is $300. For a death connected to military service, the burial allowance is $2,000. For more information on eligibility requirements, visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp
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