In view of the recent sudden death and burial of our esteemed Post Commander, I wanted to review VA death benefits for eligible Veterans to consider for end of life planning.

 

1)  You can apply to find out in advance if you can be buried in a VA national cemetery. This is called a pre-need determination of eligibility—and it can help make the burial planning process easier for your family members in their time of need. Follow the steps below to apply:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility/

 

2) How to get Veterans burial allowances (sometimes called “Veterans death benefits”) to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/

 

3) While planning a burial for a Veteran or Reservist, you can apply for certain memorial items to honor their military service, such as headstone, flag, or Presidential Memorial Certificate. An eligible spouse or other family member buried in a national cemetery, or certain other Veterans or military cemeteries, may also qualify for a headstone or marker to identify the place of burial:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/

 

4) If you’re the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died while serving their country, you may qualify for bereavement counseling through VA. Bereavement counseling (also sometimes called “grief counseling”) provides assistance and support for people going through emotional and psychological stress after the death of a loved one:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/bereavement-counseling/

 

Mike Lukowiak will cover the specifics of the VFW Day of Service event on May 7th in support of the fund raising event for Wimberley Valley Radio. #StillServing

 

V/r,

 

John Fraser

Service Officer

VFW Post 6441

Wimberley, TX