Don’t Forget the Veterans!
Thought you were covered for everything? Think again.
Lincoln Heritage agents have been assisting veteran’s family needs over the years with supplemental needs to fulfill a final expense plan that are NOT covered by the Veteran’s Administration.
The following 10 key facts are important to share. They highlight the need for a final expense policy to compliment veteran’s benefits.
Veterans Affairs (VA) does NOT cover all the funeral or cremation arrangements of honorably discharged veterans. Veteran’s caskets are NOT free! The VA nor the branch’s of service provides a free casket for a deceased veteran unless death occurs while on active duty.
Burial requirements for honorable discharged veterans include: an assigned grave-site, open & closing of the grave, a grave liner for casketed remains, a government issued headstone or marker, and perpetual care of the grave-site at no cost to the family.
What You Need To Request
All honorable discharged veterans are eligible to receive military funeral honors ceremony. This includes the folding of the flag for presentation to the family and the playing of “Taps.”
Veteran’s family needs to provide documentation to verify Military Service. An honorable discharge known as a “DD-214” needs to be submitted along with “Form 21p-530 Application” for funeral benefits.
A veteran’s family must request a United States Flag. They are not automatically given. Flags must be requested by the immediate family. An “Application for US Flag for Burial Purposes” (VA Form 21-2008) must be submitted along with a copy of the veteran’s DD-214 honorable discharge.
Initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy a “Presidential Memorial Certificate” is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current President to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans. Honorable discharged veteran’s family may apply in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. Mail.
Honorable discharged veterans are entitled to burial in a VA National Cemetery and their legally married spouse. Under certain conditions the un-remarried surviving spouse and minor children of an eligible veteran are also entitled to this benefit. Cremated remains are buried or inured in VA National Cemetery in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
Headstones, Grave Markers, or Medallions for a burial space in a private cemetery must be requested using VA Form 40-1330.
Replacement of Military Service Medals, Awards, and Decorations must be requested in writing by the veteran’s family from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Form 180 (SF 180) is available through the Veterans Affairs website.
Additional information on these highlighted veterans benefits, the qualification requirements, and the VA forms mentioned in this article can be found at www.va.gov/vaforms.
Capt. Ed Sullivan (Rt.)
U.S. Military Sealift Command
Tehachapi Agent
Lincoln Heritage Final Expense Plan
Mike Stambaugh – Regional Manager
Apply Today – (888) 620-6907
