The death of a military family member is devastating to everyone involved and can bring your life to a halt. Part of the grieving process is honoring the fallen, and if you need to know how to plan a funeral for your veteran family member, here is some helpful information to ease the experience.
Confirm Their Eligibility
The first step in securing a burial spot for your loved one in a national cemetery is validating their eligibility with the VA through the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. You will need a DD214 (if you don’t already have a pre-need decision letter) or other discharge documents. Sometimes, you may need additional documents that prove your relationship to the veteran.
The information required of the deceased includes:
- Name and gender
- SSN or Veteran ID
- Birthdate
- Date of death
- Marital status
You may also need to provide general information regarding the “next of kin.”
Once eligibility has been confirmed with the VA, you can decide on the burial site for your loved one.
Find a National Cemetery
The VA will require you to inform them on which cemetery you prefer for your loved one. The information required by the VA for selecting a burial site includes:
- The preferred cemetery
- The preferred type of burial (casket or cremation)
- The preferred size of casket or urn
- The preferred gravesite memorial, including a headstone and grave marker
- The preferred religious inscription for a headstone
- Any additional military honors to be conducted on the day of the service
Once you’ve gathered this information, you can start the process of planning the physical memorial.
Plan the Service
One benefit of being buried at a national cemetery is that most, if not all, of the funeral honors are pre-planned. While they vary depending on the branch of the military, these honors always include:
- A casket team
- A firing squad
- A bugler
- The folding of the US flag
You and your family will receive all the information regarding the service before the burial. It is up to you if you prefer a chapel or funeral service before the graveside service, and you should discuss these plans with a representative from the cemetery.
Some cemeteries offer additional services to make your loved one’s service more honoring. One of which is the ability to hire a professional videographer to capture the beautiful burial, so you can share it with those who could not attend.
Knowing how to plan a funeral for your veteran family member is overwhelming, especially when reeling from a loss. Fortunately, resources, such as the VA and various national cemeteries, exist to offer support. Remember to enjoy the beauty of these military services as, ultimately, they serve to honor the bravery and sacrifice of your exemplary loved one.