Homeless Veterans Burial Program

Too often, veterans who are homeless or indigent pass away while living on the streets, with no connection to family members of friends. The Dignity Memorial® Homeless Veterans Burial Program believes that all veterans deserve dignified funeral services and the military funeral honors in death that they are entitled to, regardless of their life circumstances.

Veterans section at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary 
Military Funeral Honors are performed in front of the Armed Forces flags
American flags and flowers at Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery

Dignified funerals for homeless veterans

Founded on the belief that every veteran deserves a dignified and honorable burial, our Homeless Veterans Burial Program is a cooperative effort among Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Service Organizations, local medical examiners, coroners and other veteran's advocates. So far, the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program has provided burial services for more than 1,700 homeless veterans since the program’s inception.

Through this program, homeless and indigent veterans who have no family to claim them and who are identified as being discharged anything other than dishonorable, are provided with a proper military burial. Our Dignity Memorial locations provide preparation of the body, transportation, clothing, casket and coordination of the funeral service at no charge. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 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.

Military funeral honors for lost heroes

We take great pride in providing veterans with respectful, dignified funerals and burials befitting of their service. When we provide these services, our professionals work to deliver the Dignity Difference—that means we treat every memorial like a unique celebration of life, complete with traditional military honors like the playing of "Taps" or the folding of the flag.

Dignity Memorial professionals work hard to guarantee that our veterans receive the honors in death that their service in life merited. If you are interested in learning more about veterans burial benefits, reach out to a Dignity Memorial professional today.

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Vets Guide

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.

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