Cremation insurance for military veterans: Is It Worth It?

It’s something none of us want to think about: our death. What will happen after we’re gone? Will we have a big funeral? Will anybody show up?

If you want to have a big funeral and a fancy tombstone in a nice cemetery, it will cost a lot. That’s OK. You’re a veteran; the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay. Right? Let’s explore facts about Cremation insurance for military veterans.

Is cremation insurance worth it for veterans?

Is cremation insurance worth it for veterans? It depends on individual circumstances, such as financial needs and existing benefits. Veterans may already qualify for burial benefits through the VA, which can cover part of the cremation or burial costs. However, these benefits might not cover all expenses, such as transportation or an urn. Cremation insurance for military veterans can be a good choice if your family would struggle to afford those extra costs or if you want to ensure more flexibility in arrangements. It’s crucial to weigh the potential out-of-pocket expenses against what the VA covers to determine if cremation insurance provides additional value.

Understanding Cremation insurance for military veterans

The VA’s benefits can be difficult to navigate, particularly when it comes to cremation. More veterans and their families are searching for answers about their benefits as they opt for cremation in the way of more traditional options.

The VA’s language around cremation can be somewhat confusing. Regardless of whether you or your family have selected cremation or burial, the VA describes all death benefits as “burial benefits” or “burial allowance.” Throughout this article, our language reflects the VA’s description. Whenever we discuss “VA burial benefits,” we’re talking about Cremation insurance for military veterans too.

We’re dedicated to serving veterans and their families. With this article, our goal is to provide you with resources to help you understand VA benefits for cremation.

Of course, the best resource will always be your local funeral professional—they will work with you or your family directly, serving as an expert on your benefits from the VA and beyond. Whether you’re pre-planning your funeral or working on behalf of a loved one after death, you can trust your funeral home to guide you.

Does the VA Pay for Cremation?

One of the most common questions we’ve seen is very direct—does the VA pay for cremation? As it turns out, the answer to that question isn’t so simple. The short answer is the VA won’t pay for cremation directly, but the family of the veteran may be eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement for Cremation

All veteran burial benefits work on a reimbursement basis. To qualify for reimbursement, the family must first have paid for a funeral, burial, or cremation. That means all upfront costs will fall on the decedent’s family.

However, not all veterans are eligible to be reimbursed by VA burial benefits. To qualify, the veteran must not have been dishonorably discharged. The VA provides a flat rate of $300 to all qualifying veterans. If the veteran’s death was service-related, the family may be reimbursed up to $2,000. Reimbursement amounts will differ based on a variety of factors, including service dates.

Will the VA Provide a Military Plaque or Urn?

Many veterans are also eligible for a military plaque or urn. However, it’s important to note that if you do choose one of these options, the individual will no longer be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, headstone, marker, or medallion. For these reasons, many veterans and their families don’t opt for a VA-provided urn or plaque.

Interment Options for Cremated Veterans

Here’s a variety of options for veterans when it comes to interment, like a VA cemetery, public cemetery, or in-home placement for cremains—and, of course, ceremonial scattering.

VA Cemetery

Burial in a VA cemetery is accompanied by a variety of benefits, including a gravesite or niche, opening and closing of the grave or niche, a headstone or marker, and ongoing care of the gravesite. These benefits are provided at no cost to the family.

However, the family and their funeral home will need to handle cremation and pick an urn for the veteran. Work with your funeral professional to ensure you decide on an appropriate urn for niche placement in a VA cemetery.

Be aware that not all VA cemeteries can provide burial for cremains. Work with your funeral professional to ensure that you’ve selected the best location for your needs.

Public Cemetery

The veteran and their family can opt for a public cemetery, like a church or traditional family site. If so, they’re eligible for a headstone or marker provided by the VA if a military urn or plaque isn’t requested.

If the veteran or their family picks a non-military marker, they are eligible for a medallion to be attached to that marker if they didn’t receive a military urn.

Not all public cemeteries offer burial for cremains. Your funeral professional will provide guidance to help you decide on the correct cemetery for you or your loved one.

In-Home Placement

In-home placement is a powerful option for many families. Being able to keep their loved one close can provide peace of mind and comfort. If you decide to keep cremains in the home, the VA-provided urn or plaque is an excellent option to reflect your loved one’s service.

The VA urn isn’t right for every veteran or family. Batesville offers a diverse selection of urns and remembrance items if you prefer a different style of urn or desire multiple urns to share cremains among family members and loved ones.

Ceremonial Scattering

If ceremonial scattering is the right choice for the veteran and their family.

Best Cremation Benefits for Veterans

Cremation and burial benefits depend on various factors, including the length of service, whether the veteran died at a qualified VA facility, and other factors. 

Here’s general information about veteran’s burial expenses. 

Cremation expenses

The VA provides a burial allowance that can be used to help cover cremation costs. This includes the basic cremation service, transportation of the body, and cremation containers. This burial allowance is reimbursed to the family members following the veteran’s death. Burial allowances may not cover the entire cost of cremation. 

Funeral costs

The burial and funeral expense allowance can help cover the costs of a funeral service, including any viewing or memorial services. Again, this allowance is reimbursed to a close family member of the deceased and may not cover all funeral costs.

Plot or interment costs

If the veteran is to be buried in a national cemetery, the VA covers the burial plot or interment cost. For cremation, this includes the cost of an inurnment of the cremated remains in a columbarium.

Grave marker

The VA provides a free headstone or marker for eligible veterans, which can be used for veterans buried in a private cemetery, not just national cemeteries.

Perpetual care

National cemeteries provide perpetual care at no cost to the family, ensuring the burial site is maintained indefinitely.

Applying for Veteran’s Burial Benefits

Applying for burial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs is a simple process. Eligible veterans and their families are encouraged to contact their local VA representative to learn about available resources and benefit reimbursement options and discuss any documents that may be required to ensure eligibility, such as form 21P-530.

Information needed to apply for veteran’s burial benefits may include:

• A copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214 (discharge papers) or equivalent documentation
• The deceased’s Social Security number
• Proof of relationship to the veteran (applicable for spouses and dependents)
• Proof of death (such as a death certificate)
• Proof of income
• A copy of the veteran’s service record
• A copy of a marriage certificate (applicable for spouses)
• A copy of birth certificates (applicable for dependents)
• Documentation to support any additional financial requests (such as additional funeral or memorial expenses)
• A copy of the burial plot deed or statement from the cemetery

Once the necessary paperwork is submitted and approved, families can begin to work with a reputable cremation service provider or funeral home to arrange the burial services. An experienced professional will present all available options, including low-cost direct cremation, and will provide the chance to save money by locking in today’s costs. It’s practical and important to consider lower-cost options, especially when families must bear up-front costs and benefits only come as reimbursements after the fact.

It is wise to take the time to research each option thoroughly before making a decision. By doing so, veterans and their families can be sure that they are given a dignified and fitting memorial service.

Applying for burial benefits is a relatively straightforward process that can help families cover the costs associated with a veteran’s cremation or burial services. It’s possible to provide a dignified and respectful sendoff without spending more than the family can afford. Eligible veterans and their families should contact their local VA representative to learn more about what they should know about veteran cremation costs.

Choosing the Cremation insurance for military veterans

For some families of veterans, Cremation insurance for military veterans is the right choice. The VA’s burial benefits make it more affordable but may not cover the full costs of cremation and service. It’s important to work with your funeral professional to find the right selection for your family and budget.

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