- For Immediate Need Call 801-394-5505
Blog
If you have lost a loved one who served their country and who was entitled to funerary benefits for veterans, you will want to make sure you know as much as possible about the options available. There are lots of things that you want to keep in mind as you make these arrangements. To be certain that everything is in place, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in Layton, UT want you to ask.
Who is Entitled to Benefits?
You want to make sure that your loved one is eligible for the services that you want them to receive. A person who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guards and who received a general discharge, is entitled to benefits. If the person received a dishonorable discharge, this usually means that they are not eligible, but you still want to double check with the VA. Keep in mind that members of the National Guard may also be eligible if they died while on duty. The spouses and dependent children of a veteran can also receive benefits, and sometimes even the parents of the veteran. To make certain of all of this, you will want to reach out to the VA and ask.
What Do the Benefits Cover?
You can expect to be able to offer your loved one a burial in a national cemetery at no cost. This includes the opening and closing of the grave, the grave marker, perpetual care, and a number of other things. You want to remember that you will not be able to reserve space in a cemetery, so your loved one may not be able to be buried in the national cemetery that they may have wanted. There are also state cemeteries that can be great options.
What is Not Covered?
You need to remember that the actual funeral or memorial service will not be covered. The VA will not pay for the service, the transportation to the burial place, the flowers, or the casket. In many instances, they do offer reimbursements, so be sure to remember that as you start thinking about the options you have.
These are some crucial questions you want to ask when getting ready to make arrangements for a loved one who passed away and who was a veteran. You want to always check that the person was eligible and that you know exactly what benefits they will receive. This can help you plan the kind of options that you want for them. If you still have questions or if you want to get started planning the services for your loved one, you can reach out to a Layton, UT funeral home like us at Aaron’s Mortuary & Crematory. We are ready to help you with all of the plans that you want to put together for your loved one. You can stop by one of our locations or you can give us a call right now.
