Things to do when a Veteran dies:

1. Contact the Funeral Director of your choice to arrange for interment.

2. Contact the Pastor of your church to arrange for the services you desire.

3. Give the Funeral Director a copy of the Veteran's discharge, DD-214, VA claim number if known, and Veteran's Social Security Number.

4. The Funeral Director will apply for the amount allowable from the Department of Veterans Affairs toward burial expenses.

5. The Funeral Director will apply for the flag to drape the casket.

6. If the Veteran is a member of a local Veterans Organization, the Post Commander should be contacted to inquire about their possible participation; ritual service, firing squad if available, and casket bearers, if needed.

7. If the Veteran had GI insurance, contact the County Veterans Service Officer for assistance in completing the forms. If it is commercial insurance, contact an agent of the company that insured the Veteran.

8. The surviving spouse should contact the Social Security Office to file for benefits that may be available for themselves and for their children.

9. The County Veterans Service Officer will assist the spouse and children in obtaining any benefits to which
they may be entitled such as, survivors death benefits from the VA, and headstone if burial is in a
private cemetery. Bring to the County Veterans Service Officer the following information when applying
for benefits:

	Copy of the deceased Veteran's service record (discharge).
	The Veteran's VA claim number, if there is one.
	Social Security number of the deceased Veteran, spouse and dependent children.
	GI insurance policies, if any.
	Have information as to marriage, birth dates of children, and if any prior marriages existed, the information regarding when, where and how dissolved (death or divorce).
	Copy of the death certificate of Veteran.

For more information on Veterans benefits, please visit:

www.va.gov

For information on burial in a National Cemetery,
including eligibility requirements, please visit:

www.cem.va.gov