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At The Cremation Society
of the SOUTH, we are committed to providing you with the necessary
information that you need to make the important decisions. You will find
information for veterans and veterans’ families. The information below
details benefits, requirements, and guidelines for services available to
veterans.
 Benefits
Benefits are available to
veterans discharged or separated from active duty under conditions (other
than dishonorable) who have completed the required period of service, or
U.S. Armed Forces members who die during active duty. Spouses and dependent
children of eligible living and deceased veterans, and of current and
deceased armed forces members, may also be eligible.
Note: The surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried a
non-veteran prior to October 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was terminated
by death or divorce prior to or on that date is eligible for burial in a
national cemetery. A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who remarried a
non-veteran prior to October 31, 1990, and whose remarriage was intact on or
after that date, however, is not eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
A surviving spouse who remarries a non-veteran after October 31, 1990, is
not eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
 Burial
Grave in a National Cemetery
The United States Government provides free burial in a National Cemetery to
all those who are eligible. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing
of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria
niches for the inurnment of cremated remains or special sections for burial
of cremated remains, if cremation is chosen as the final form of
disposition.
Georgia National cemetery
In April of 2007, the United States
Government opened the
Georgia National Cemetery located just minutes North of Atlanta. Our staff will coordinate every
detail for every family that chooses burial in the Georgia National Cemetery
or any National Cemetery.
Headstones and
Markers
The United States Government provides headstones and markers for the graves
of veterans and eligible dependents anywhere in the world that are not
already marked. Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, and upright marble
types are available to mark the grave of a veteran or dependent in the style
consistent with exiting monuments at the place of burial. Bronze niche
markers are also available to mark columbaria in national cemeteries used
for inurnment of cremated remains (some cemeteries charge for marker
installation).
Burial at
Sea
Burial at sea is not just a tradition that was practiced by the Navy of old.
It is a means of final disposition of cremated and intact remains that is
offered to and still utilized by active duty, retired, and honorable
veterans of all branches of the United States military. Burial at sea
services are performed while the vessel is on official maneuvers;
consequently, it is impossible for the family to be present. The family is
notified by the commanding officer of that vessel of the date, time,
longitude, and latitude of the committal service.
Individuals eligible for
this program are members of the uniformed services, veterans discharged
under honorable conditions, United States civilian marine personnel of the
Military Sealift Command, and dependents of members, retirees, and veterans
of the uniformed services.
 Presidential
Memorial Certificate
The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment
with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation's grateful recognition
of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed, and the
certificate bears the signature of the President and the presidential seal
in gold foil.
Reimbursement of Burial Expenses
The United States Government provides a $300 burial and funeral expense
allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were entitled to receive
pension or compensation or would have been entitled to compensation but for
receipt of military retirement pay. Eligibility is also established when
death occurs in a Veterans’ Administration facility or a nursing home which
the Veterans’ Administration contracted, and additional costs of
transportation of the remains may be reimbursed in those cases. Claims must
be filed within two years after permanent burial or cremation.
 United
States Burial Flag
The United States Government provides an American flag to drape the casket
of a veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a
close associate of the deceased.
How to
Contact the Veterans’ Administration
Military veterans and their dependents are entitled to a variety of benefits
depending on their circumstances. Once you have determined what benefits can
be claimed and you have gathered all the forms and information that apply to
you, you may contact the Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000 or reach them
through their website,
www.va.gov
Before you can file, you will need:
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Certified copy of or
original DD214 (Enlisted Record of Separation)
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Certified copy of or
original marriage certificate
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Certified copy of Death
Certificate
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Verification of amount of
life insurance you will receive as a result of veteran's death
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Paid receipts for funeral
and cemetery expense
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Paid receipts for hospital
and doctor bills incurred by last illness, if applicable
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Social Security number for
yourself and your dependent children
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If the veteran or yourself
was previously married, you will need a certified copy of or original
divorce decree, or a Death Certificate proving the previous marriage was
dissolved by divorce or death
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If there are dependent
children: For children under the age of 18, or over 18 and still in
school, you need certified copies of original birth certificates for each.
If the dependent children are over 18 and still in school, you will need
VA Form 21-674 filled out.
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If either of you currently
receive Social Security benefits, you will need to know the exact amount
received for each of you
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If you already have a VA
claim number, you must furnish the VA with the claim number you have been
assigned
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If either of you receive
additional income, the source and exact amount of the benefit must be
reported to the VA
Social
security
If you qualify
for
Social Security benefits, you should go to the Social Security
office before going to the Veteran's Administration office.
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Veteran Military
Services Available
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