Veterans Funeral & Burial Resources
Military funeral honors
Military funeral honors are a solemn tribute to the valor and sacrifice of veterans. The U.S. Department of Defense fully funds funeral honors for all eligible veterans. It’s the privilege of Dignity Memorial providers to coordinate with veterans cemeteries and government agencies to ensure families have access to all eligible veterans funeral honors.
Depending on a service member’s circumstances of death or discharge characterization, these honors may include a flag folding and presentation by honor guard members, the playing of “Taps,” and a headstone, marker or medallion for his or her final resting place.
Plan a dignified military funeral
Most veterans are eligible for burial benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Learn more in our free guide, 10 Important Facts About Your VA Burial Benefits.
Veterans burial benefits
A variety of veterans burial benefits are offered by the U.S. government, depending on the circumstances of both the veteran’s service and his or her death. If a person serving in the military is killed in the line of duty, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) generally funds all funeral or cremation costs.
In all other situations, benefits and allowances vary. It’s important to understand that allowances may not cover the full costs of services, and they aren’t allocated automatically. Your Dignity Memorial provider can help you navigate the request process for veterans burial benefits.
Veterans pre-planning
Veterans who talk about their preferred funeral arrangements with their loved ones and plan ahead for their own funeral or cremation services can ensure their wishes are honored. Pre-planning can also help ease the burden on loved ones when the time comes. A veteran may specify his or her preferences, including for traditional burial or cremation and for the military honors he or she is eligible for.
Planning ahead also allows veterans to verify and request available benefits, organize service-related paperwork, such as discharge papers, and make informed decisions about final arrangements. This proactive, pre-planning approach can bring peace of mind to both veterans and their families.
Veterans cemetery information
Veterans cemeteries offer final resting places exclusively for those who have served the nation and their spouses. With 138 national VA cemeteries and many state-run VA cemeteries, there are many memorial parks to choose from. (A family would be responsible for the expenses associated with transferring a veteran to a distant cemetery.)
Known for their meticulous upkeep, veterans cemeteries ensure a dignified final resting place for honored veterans. Veterans and their families can find solace in knowing their loved ones rest in a location befitting their sacrifice and service to our country.
Homeless Veterans Burial Program
The Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program has provided dignified funerals and burials for thousands of unhoused veterans or those without connection to family or friends at no cost. Our providers work with the VA, veterans service organizations, and local officials and veterans advocates to provide services for veterans with any type of discharge except dishonorable.
Dignity Memorial locations provide preparation of the body, transportation, clothing, a casket and coordination of a funeral. The VA generally provides eligible veterans with the opening and closing of the gravesite, a grave liner, a headstone or marker, a graveside ceremony and perpetual care in any VA national cemetery nationwide.
They believe in FAMILY and treated us just like THEIR family. And when they knew they had a Veteran, they went above and beyond in Honoring him. With the utmost respect, they genuinely CARED about our husband/father and they genuinely CARED about us! We were completely devastated over his unexpected death and their sensitivity and kindness with us was so comforting and helpful. We had many complicated things happening at once and over a period of days and they were there EVERY step of the way. From the hospital transport, to people flying in, to helping us set up life mementos and displays, to the logistics of handling an hour-long motorcycle/car procession to dealing with the military National Cemetery, they took care of every detail.
—Dar R.
Plan a memorial fit for a hero
Serving in the military is a badge of honor that deserves recognition. Our free guide, 10 Important Facts About Your VA Burial Benefits, will walk you through everything you need to know to plan a dignified funeral for a member of the Armed Forces. From the folding of the flag to the playing of “Taps” and other government benefits, we’ll help you plan a memorial fitting of your loved one’s service to our country.