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Veterans of Foreign Warsor
call 1-800-300-0436
VFW Dignity Memorial® Funeral Program benefits
http://www.dignitymemorial.com/DignityMemorial/VFWfuneralprogram.aspx
www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil
Or you may call the VFW Post 5546, phone no.
610-497-1727
Military Funeral Honors
The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military
funeral honors. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery
Administration cemetery staff assist with military funeral honors at VA
national cemeteries.
On January 1, 2000, the Department of Defense began the implementation
plan for providing military funeral honors for eligible veterans as enacted
in Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for FY 2000.
"Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the DOD program for providing
dignified military funeral honors to veterans who have defended our Nation.
While military funeral honors are a long-standing tradition within the Armed
Forces, this DOD program is in response to the new law governing funeral
honors for eligible veterans. Upon the family's request, the law requires that every eligible veteran
receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include folding and presenting
the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a
military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed
military persons with at least one a member of the veteran's parent service
of the Armed Forces. The DOD program calls for funeral home directors to
request military funeral honors on behalf of the veterans' family. Veterans
organizations may assist in the provision of military funeral honors. When
military funeral honors at a national cemetery are desired, they are
arranged prior to the committal service by the funeral home. Questions or comments concerning the DOD military funeral honors program
may be sent to the address listed below. A military funeral honors web site
is located at
www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil.
Military Funeral Honors
9504 IH-35 North, Suite 320
San Antonio, TX 78233-6635
Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans are
entitled to a
Grave Marker and
American Flag from the government
(including Merchant Marines who served during WWII).
Ask your mortuary for assistance in arranging for the Marker and
Flag.
Flags also may be obtained from VA regional offices, national cemeteries,
and most U.S. post offices using form VA-2008.
After the funeral service, consider donating your Flag to a local
National Cemetery,
Veterans group, children's organization (like Boy Scouts), or school.
VA benefits info and claims assistance: 1-800-827-1000
Government Links
Government Forms
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VA and National Cemetery Government Forms
- Form 21-530 Application For Burial Benefits
- Form 40-1330 Application For Standard
Government Headstone Or Marker For
Installation In A Private Or State Veterans Cemetery
- Form 40-4987 Agreement For Burial Of Cremated
Remains
- Form 49631 Instruction For Processing Request
For Replacement Of Headstone
Or Marker
- Form 4962 Verification Of
Eligibility For Burial In A National Cemetery
- Form VA-2008 Application For United States
Flag For Burial Purpose
Related Info
SERVICE TO OTHERS
SEPTEMBER 22, 2003
VOLUME XXXXJI NUMBER 1
GOVERNMENT GRAVE MARKER REQUESTS MADE
EASIER
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has
revised its application form to make requesting a Department of
Veterans Affairs grave marker easier. The new form,
Application For
Standard Government Headstone or Marker (VA Form 40-1330),
includes updated information about changes that expand
eligibility
for a government marker.
The new form and instruction sheets
also permit better communication between VA and veterans' families.
For deaths on or after September 11, 2001 ,
Public Laws 107-103 and 107-330 made government markers available
for use on veterans' graves that were already marked with privately
furnished headstones or markers. Previous law prevented VA from
furnishing markers when a grave was already marked.
In January 2002, VA introduced a toll-free fax service for
submitting applications. This service is available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, as an alternative to regular mail. Instructions,
as well as the fax number, 1-800-455-7143 ,
are on the Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.
cem.va.gov
<www.cem.va.gov/
> . The application form on the website can be filled in and printed
for submitting by mail or fax. Questions about a headstone or marker
application can be directed to VA's Memorial Programs Service
applicant assistance unit at 1 (800) 697-6947 .
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