Below are a few of the common features that military death benefits provide and cover. The veteran may or may not be eligible for these benefits depending on his or her status and situation.
- A gravesite at any of the 136 Veteran Affairs’ National Cemeteries
- As an alternative to the National cemeteries operated by the Veteran Affairs, many states have established state veteran cemeteries. Eligibility is quite similar to the ones outlined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but may include residency requirements.
- Most veterans are eligible to receive a headstone, marker, or medallion at no cost. The flat markers are available in granite, marble, and bronze. The headstones are available in granite and marble.
- Presidential Memorial Certificate
- As already mentioned an American flag is provided, at no cost, to drape over the casket or accompany the urn of the deceased veteran.
- Burial Allowances refer to the flat monetary sum that is paid to cover the Veteran’s funeral costs.
- The casket may transported via a horse-drawn limbers and caissons
- Fighter jets may perform an aerial flyover
- A gun salute. The number of shots fired depends on the veterans rank.
- For funerals of commanding officers, a riderless horse that represents a fallen leader will usually follow the horse-drawn hearse
Sources:
Military.com. (2018). Military funeral honors. Retrieved from: https://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial/military-funeral-honors.html
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018). Burial Benefits. Retrieved from: https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018). Military funeral honors. Retrieved from: https://www.cem.va.gov/military_funeral_honors.asp
Wikipedia. (2018). Military funerals in the United States. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_funerals_in_the_United_States