ESSENTIAL Information About FUNERAL & BURIAL Benefits for VETERANS

1. Military Discharge

In order to apply for Veteran’s benefits, whether federal or local, you will need a military discharge. The discharge can be War time or Peace time issued under conditions other than dishonorable. (Example: DD214, General Discharge, or a Report of Separation from the Armed Services) If a military discharge is not available we can help you receive one, however, it can be a lengthy process.

If a copy of the discharge was registered in Allegheny County, you can contact the Department of Real Estate, 101 County Office Bldg., Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 412-350-4226, FAX 412-350-3787.

National Military Personnel Record Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118. Veterans can call 314-263-2800, or online at www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/indez.html

If you have a military discharge, we strongly advise that you keep it in a convenient location, we will also be happy to keep a copy of it on file at the funeral home.

2. United States of America Flag

Veterans with a military discharge other than dishonorable are entitled to receive a U.S. flag to drape the casket or be with the urn. Each Veteran will receive one flag.

3. Military Funeral Honors

A basic Military Funeral Honors Ceremony consists of two members of the Armed Forces. At least one of the Funeral Honors Detail will be from a branch of the Armed Forces in which the deceased veteran served The Funeral Honor Detail will fold and present the flag to the designated next-of-kin and Taps (or a recording) will be played. The family will need to provide, at the time of death, a discharge or separation papers other than dishonorable. Also, local Veteran Service Organizations may complement the Military Funeral Honors Detail.

4. Presidential Memorial Certificate

A Presidential Memorial Certificate is available to honor a deceased Veteran with an honorable discharge. The certificate is signed by the sitting president at the time of the application.

5. Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records

In the Commonwealth of PA, free certified copies of the death certificate are available for the Veteran, spouse, or a dependent child of the Veteran. (If at the time of death, residency is not in PA consult the state of residency for the regulation of free Veteran Death Certificates.)

6. Burial in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

For the most part, any honorable discharged Veteran is eligible for burial in the National Cemetery. It is imperative to have the honorable discharge at the time of death in order to apply for burial. If approved, the grave space, outer burial container, marker and opening fees are provided free of charge for the Veteran, spouse and dependent children (subject to approval by National Cemetery of the Alleghenies).

• Cremated remains can be buried or entombed.
  
• Grave spaces cannot be reserved in advance.
  
• Graves are assigned on an as needed basis.
  
• No Burials on Holidays or Week-ends.
  

7. Veterans Monetary Burial Benefits

A. Federal

Veterans in receipt of some form of compensation from the V.A. or if death occurs in a V.A. Hospital are entitled to the following benefits.

1. Burial Allowance of $300.00

2. Interment Plot Allowance of $300.00

Also, if death occurs in a V.A. Hospital or a designated facility, a Transportation Allowance is provided for transportation of the deceased from the V.A. Hospital, to funeral home, to the final resting place.

3. Service Connected Allowance: The V.A. will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000.00 dollars if the veteran’s death is service-connected.

B. Southwestern PA Counties

Each county in Southwestern PA has benefits for Veterans. They all provide flag holders and flags for Veterans graves. Distribution systems vary. Other benefits are:

Allegheny County

Wartime Veterans Burial Allowance $100

Wartime Widow’s Burial Allowance $100

Marker Allowance $50

Butler County

Wartime Veterans Burial Allowance $75

Wartime Widow’s Burial Allowance $75

Marker Allowance $50

Washington County

Wartime Veterans Burial Allowance $75

Wartime Widow’s Burial Allowance $75

Marker Allowance $100

Westmoreland County

Wartime Veterans Burial Allowance $75

Wartime Widow’s Burial Allowance $75

Marker Installation $25

Marker Allowance $50

Lettering Allowance $35

8. Headstone Or Markers For A Veteran’s Grave

Honorably discharged Veterans (whether War time or Peace time), Active Duty members, Retired Reservists and National Guard members are eligible for an inscribed headstone or marker to mark their grave at any cemetery in the world; delivered at no cost. Most cemeteries charge for the foundation and installation of a veteran headstone/marker. We can assist you in filing the proper applications.

9. V.A./G.I. Insurance

Some Veterans have carried their life insurance which was issued while in the military service. For claims or information call 1-800-669-8477 or contact us at Savolskis-Wasik-Glenn Funeral Home, Inc., and we can assist you.

For Your Information

Military discharges, replacement medals or awards may be available from the:

National Personnel Records Center

www.archives.com

Allegheny County Department of Veteran Services

412-621-4357

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

1-800-827-1000

National Cemetery of the Alleghenies

724-746-4363

Military Personnel Records Center

(Lost Records) 314-263-2800

Please contact us at SWG if you need help in applying for any and all of the listed benefits. 412-462-2288