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For families of Veterans, there are many different types of benefits that are available to you. Benefits are available on both a Federal and Local (County based) level.

All Veterans May Receive:

          • 9’ X 5.5’ American Flag (to be placed in the casket folded and then draped over the casket)
          • Free Grave Marker (Granite or Bronze)
          • Military Honors (Taps, Firing Squad, Flag Presentation)

Federal Benefits:

Wartime Veteran Benefits when burial is NOT in a NATIONAL CEMETERY may include:

  • Transportation from a VA hospital to the funeral home
  • Transportation from funeral home to any cemetery if veteran died in a VA facility or was receiving disability or pension at the time of death.
  • United States Flag
  • Cemetery Flag Marker
  • Government Marker for the Veteran; may include spouse’s name if requested. **
  • Monetary burial and plot allowance for a Veteran who dies in a VA Hospital and/or is receiving a disability and/or pension at the time of death.

Wartime Veteran Benefits when burial IS in a National Cemetery may include:

  • Transportation from a VA Hospital to the funeral home
  • Transportation from funeral home to any cemetery if veteran died in a VA Facility or was receiving disability or pension at the time of death.
  • United States Flag
  • Cemetery Flag Marker
  • Government Marker for the Veteran; may include spouse’s name if requested. **

A monetary burial allowance for a Veteran who is buried in a National Cemetery (in our area the National Cemetery is Indiantown Gap National Cemetery) rather than the monetary benefit listed above. However, in addition to the free marker and installation in a National Cemetrey, the Veteran’s Administration also provides:

  • Free burial space in a National Cemetery
  • Free outer burial container in the National Cemetery (Graveliner, not a vault)
  • Free opening and closing of the grave in the National Cemetery

To be eligible for Wartime Veterans Benefits:

The Veteran must have served at least ONE DAY during dates of war. A $2,000 benefit may be available for a veteran who dies of a service-connected disability. The Veterans Administration Office will determine eligibility.

Peacetime Veterans Benefits may include:

  • United States Flag
  • Government marker for the Veteran; may include the spouse’s name, if requested. *&
  • Free burial space in a National Cemetery
  • Free outer burial container in a National Cemetery (Graveliner, not a vault)
  • Free opening and closing of the grave in the National Cemetery.

State Benefits

The Commonealth of Pennsylvania will provide 10 Free Certified Copies of the Death. Certificate (Takes 4-8 weeks to obtain). Other states may vary.

Local Benefits

  • Pay towards the installation of the veterans marker in a cemetery
  • Bronze or plastic VA Grave Flag holder and new flag in it each year.
  • $100.00 towards funeral expenses

The above information may change without notice to the funeral home. Current benefits may be checked by linking to the following website. www.vba.va.go/survivors/index.htm.

** Note…All cemeteries and/or monument companies have an installation fee for placing the government marker and where applicable, the support base. This fee may range from $200 - $700 or more. When burial is in a National Cemetery, there is no charge for the installation of this marker.