Carrie ConboyIn honor of Memorial Day, we’d like to introduce you to some of the benefits available to Veterans’ and their spouses when one of them passes away.
Federally, the VA will provide funeral/burial and plot interment benefits to certain veterans, including those dying from a service-related disability, those receiving pension or compensation (including Aid and Attendance), or those passing away in a VA facility. The amount provided is $749 toward burial and funeral expenses and $749 toward plot expenses. It can be paid to a veteran’s spouse, child, parent or the executor of his or her estate, so long as proof of payment for the funeral expenses can be furnished.
In addition to the federal benefit, our counties also provide resources to pay towards the final expenses for Veterans and their spouses. In Allegheny County, there is a $100 burial benefit available on the death of the veteran and also upon the death of the spouse. They will pay up to $50.00 for the foundation and installation of the free federal headstone or marker if the deceased was a wartime veteran. This benefit is also available for peacetime veterans if their remains have been uncovered. In Washington County, the benefit is $75 for the burial expenses and $100 towards the foundation and installation of the marker, and in Westmoreland County, $75 towards the burial expenses and $25 towards the placing of the marker.
The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies is also available to provide no cost burial plots to all members of the armed forces who have met minimum active duty service requirements and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. A veterans’ spouse, widow or widower, minor children and some disabled adult children are also eligible, even if they predecease the veteran.
These are not benefits that can be applied for in advance, and your local funeral director will be able to make the necessary arrangements at the time of death.
We humbly thank the men and women who have served our country on this Memorial Day. For more information about benefits available to our aging Veteran population, please contact the experienced attorneys at Zacharia Brown. You may schedule an appointment by visiting our website at PittsburghElderLaw.com or by calling 724.942.6200.
Colleen D. Bratkovich
Carl Zacharia
Thanks for helping me understand aside from honoring our veterans, other benefits are provided to their families. My uncle is a retired Veteran and he just died due to old age. His families will be very thankful for this information and will continue to be proud of his bravery.