I Need Help After a Veteran Dies

Ask the Funeral Home Exactly What They’ll Do

Don’t assume the funeral home handles everything.

Ask:

“What will you arrange, and what does the family have to request separately?”

For burial in a VA national cemetery, ask whether they’ll contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. The family can call that office directly too.

Don’t assume the funeral home will start VA, insurance, or survivor benefits. Ask what they’ll handle and what the family must do separately.

Request the Burial Flag and Military Funeral Honors

The burial flag and military funeral honors are separate requests. Ask for both.

Ask the funeral director to request military funeral honors for you.

An eligible Veteran or Reservist may receive one burial flag at no cost.

If the funeral home doesn’t obtain the flag, ask about VA Form 27-2008. A participating Post Office or VA regional office may also provide one, but call before going.

Ask About Burial and Memorial Benefits

Ask the funeral director or cemetery office which benefits may apply:

• burial in a Veterans cemetery
• a government headstone, marker, or medallion
• a Presidential Memorial Certificate
• help with eligible burial or transportation costs

Approval for one doesn’t approve the others.

Cremation doesn’t end Veteran burial or memorial benefits.

Ask about cemetery eligibility for a spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent child too. In some cases, they may qualify even if the Veteran is buried elsewhere.

Report the Death to VA

Telling the funeral home, Social Security, hospice, or cemetery doesn’t update every VA program.

Report the Veteran’s death to VA as soon as you can. Calling 1-800-827-1000 and selecting option 5 is the fastest way to report it, or you can go to a VA regional office.

Do this promptly. Payments that continue after death may have to be repaid.

If the Veteran was a military retiree, VA doesn’t handle retired pay. Report the death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) too. If the retiree had Survivor Benefit Plan coverage, an eligible survivor may need to claim the annuity.

Check Survivor Benefits and Deadlines

A spouse or dependent child may need to apply in their own name.

Ask a VA-accredited representative to check whether benefits may be available, including:

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): a monthly payment for some eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents when the death meets VA rules
• Survivors Pension: income-based support for some eligible surviving spouses and children
• Accrued benefits: money VA owed a beneficiary before death but hadn’t yet paid
• CHAMPVA: health coverage for some surviving spouses and children
• VA life insurance or other survivor benefits

If VA owed benefits that hadn’t been paid before the person died, an accrued-benefits claim generally must be filed within one year of death. If a claim, decision review, or appeal was still pending, ask whether an eligible person should request substitution to continue it.

Ask:

• What should be filed first?
• Does the filing date affect payment?
• What deadlines apply?
• Which programs must be notified separately?

Veterans Service Organization representatives provide VA claims help at no charge.

For non-VA money and bills after death, use I Need Help With Money and Bills After a Death →

If a Benefit Is Denied

Ask what was denied, get the decision in writing, and ask about the deadline for review or appeal.

One denial doesn’t mean the other benefits are unavailable.

For support with grief, see I’m Grieving and Need Support →

Before You Stop for the Day

Make sure you know:

• the funeral home knows the person was a Veteran
• the burial flag and military funeral honors have both been requested
• cemetery arrangements are confirmed, not assumed
• which survivor benefits need separate applications
• which deadlines you need to protect