Non Service-Connected Death after Retirement
Your years of military service are valued by our nation. Benefits are available to your family to make certain that you receive the final respect and memorial you deserve.
Burial benefits are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The available benefits include the following:
- Burial Flag, Headstone, and Grave Marker - These are provided at no cost for honorably discharged veterans.
- Burial Allowance for Service-Related Death - The VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on, or after, September 11, 2001.
- Burial Allowance - The VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance for deaths on, or after, December 1, 2001. The plot-interment allowance is $150 for deaths prior to December 1, 2001. If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under VA-contracted nursing home care, some or all of the costs for transporting the deceased’s remains may be reimbursed.
- Death Pension - This benefit is payable to eligible dependents of a deceased wartime veteran, with specific income limitations.
Planning Ahead
Making sure that the member’s family is knowledgeable about a variety of personal financial and family issues is important. Experts recommend preparing some type of a personal log to document this information. There are a number of steps that can be taken in advance to help the transition go smoother for family members grieving from the loss of a loved one. The following is a checklist to assist people with this preparation.
Printable Checklist
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Be sure both spouses have a general understanding of the family’s assets and investments that includes knowing WHERE the money is and WHY it is there. |
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Each spouse knows where all important papers are, including bank account statements, investments, deeds, and insurance policies (life, medical, property/casualty, long-term care). This may include website login information and who to contact, when needed. |
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Does each spouse have a will? (Military Legal Assistance can assist with this.) Along with a will, does each spouse know the other’s wishes? Life support and quality-of-life issues are among the things to discuss and put in writing. It may be beneficial to consider a living will, an advance medical directive, and a durable power of attorney. |
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Keep one folder with original copies of documents that are important to you. Locate a safe storage location for the following originals, preferably outside the home: |
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Does each spouse have access to current names, addresses, and contact information for the following: |
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Does each spouse know where records of past tax returns and current-year records are kept? |
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Are medical and dental records up-to-date? Does each spouse know where all records are kept, including pet records? |
Reference Phone Numbers and Websites
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Benefits (800) 827-1000
Life Insurance (800) 669-8477
Website: www.va.gov
Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213
Website: www.socialsecurity.gov
Defense Finance & Accounting Service
Retired and Annuity Pay
(800) 321-1080
Website: www.dfas.mil/
United States Coast Guard Headquarters
Decedent Affairs
Active Duty (866) 772-8724
Retired (800) 772-8724
Website: http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Commissioned Personnel Center (800) 224-6622
Website: http://www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Survivor Assistance (800) 638-8744
Website: www.usphs.gov
Navy Military Personnel Command
Casualty Assistance Branch
Active Duty/Reserves (800) 368-3202
Retired (800) 321-1080
Website: www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/casualtyassistance/
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
Casualty Assistance (800) 847-1597
Website: www.hqmc.usmc.mil
Military Officers Association of America
Survivor Assistance (800) 245-8762
Website: www.moaa.org
Office of Service Member’s Group Life
Insurance
(800) 419-1473
Report a Death (800) 669-8477
Website: www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/default.htm
Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors, Inc.
(800) 959-TAPS (8277)
Website: www.taps.org
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
(703) 696-4904
Website: www.nmcrs.org
Arlington National Cemetery
(703) 607-8585
(877) 907-8585
Tricare
North (877) 874-2273
South (800) 444-5445
West (888) 874-9378
Website: http://www.tricare.mil/