Benefits

Death and Burial Benefits

When a service member dies while on active duty, the government provides the family with a number of benefits.

In most cases, a military casualty assistance officer from the nearest installation will be available to help the families of those who die while on active duty. The officers are also responsible for notifying the family of the member's death and circumstances surrounding it. If the family wishes, they can assist with burial arrangements, typically advising and having the body prepared and transported to the burial site.

Death Gratuity

Next of kin are eligible for a lump sum payment of $6000.They will also be eligible for the gratuity if the member dies within 120 days of discharge or release from active duty. This payment applies to reservists, too, provided they were on active duty when they died or received injuries that led to their death.

Burial Benefits

Additionally, the immediate family of the service member will be allowed 180 days rent free occupancy in government quarters (if they are already living there) or 180 days of Basic Allowance for Housing as well as one-year TRICAR-Standard eligibility.

• Up to $1,750 for body preparation and a casket
• Up to $3,100 for interment in a private cemetery after the body has been consigned to a funeral home. Up to $2,000 for burial in a government cemetery after the body has been sent to a funeral home
• Up to $110 when the body is sent directly to a government cemetery. The Defense Department will also reimburse the family for the money they spend to transport the body to its final destination. Most funeral homes have the knowledge and paperwork to handle such arrangements.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker to mark the unmarked grave of an eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world.

By law, these markers are not provided to be used as foot stones and should not be used to double-mark a veteran's grave. VA relies on the integrity of the applicant to request a Government-provided headstone or marker only if the grave is not, or will not be, marked with a private headstone or marker.

Headstones and markers are provided for eligible spouses and dependents of veterans only when buried in a national, military post/base, or State veterans cemetery. Spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery are not eligible for a Government-provided headstone or marker.

Flat bronze, granite or marble markers and upright granite and marble headstones are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

When burial or memorialization is in a national, post, or State veterans' cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin.

When burial is in a private cemetery, VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans' Cemetery, must be submitted by the next of kin, funeral director or cemetery representative, along with a copy of the veteran's military discharge documents, to request a Government-provided headstone or marker.

Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned. VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans' Cemetery and additional application information may be obtained at any VA national cemetery or regional office by calling 1-800-827-1000. This form is available but it may not be filled out and submitted electronically or by fax. All completed applications should be mailed to:

Memorial Programs Service (403), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420-0001

Burial in one of the nearly 200 National and State cemeteries is also an option for deceased active-duty, reserve and veterans.

Flags and Honors

According to DoD regulations, honor guards are authorized for funerals of all active duty members, and reservists and National Guard members who die on active duty. Congress has passed a law requiring at least a three-person contingent at every military funeral. But the three persons will not necessarily have to be members of a military service. Also, veterans' organizations will provide honor guards when uniformed service members are not available.

Active duty service members and reservists as well as veterans who have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to have their casket draped in an American Flag during burial. That flag will be presented to the designated representative or next of kin of the deceased.

The funeral director normally handles the details of getting an honor guard. An adjutant general's office, duty officer or commander's office at a local installation or reserve training center also can provide this service.