Things to Do Before and After a Veteran’s Death
Submitted by Member Paul Kasper
How to prepare some of the information before it’s to late. Think about what
this will do to help your family later!
Morbid to some–but necessary to all in advance
Below is a copy of the form you need to fill out and place in a safe place for your spouse to be able to know where all your information she/he will need to know is located. There is no background on this page so that printing it will be clear.
Please it only takes a few moments to fill out and make it easier on your
spouse, as she/he will have enough to worry about when the time comes. Also
think about any special possessions you want to go to someone or place in the
information.. One guy I knew put masking tape with the name on the bottom or
back of several items he wanted to go to a special person.
And please tell her/him if you want a Military Funeral, We need that service at
the Funeral Parlor to honor your wishes.
I am not rushing you ,Still hope you are going to stick around for a while.
INFORMATION CHECK LIST:
When A Veteran Dies
1.Contact
your Funeral Director for your choice of Interment.
2.Contact your
Clergy, to maker arrangements for service’s you desire.
3.Provide the
Funeral Director with a copy of the Veterans Discharge, VA Claim number if
known, &Veterans Social Security Number.
4.The Funeral
Director will apply to the Department of Military Affairs for the amount
allowable toward the burial expenses. And also the allowable from Social
Security for burial.
5.The Funeral
Director will apply to the Department of Military Affairs for the American Flag
to Drape over the casket or Urn.
6.If the
Veteran is a member of a Veteran Organization, contact the Post Commander to
inquire about the post providing Military Services, Firing Squad, or Pall
Bearers if needed.
7.If the
Veteran had GI Insurance, contact the county Veteran Service Officer for
assistance in completing the insurance forms. If the Veteran had Commercial
Insurance, contact the agent for that particular company which insured the
Veteran.
8.The spouse
should contact the Social Security office to file for benefits that maybe
available to her or him and for any dependent children.
9.The County
Veterans Service Officer will assist the spouse and children in obtaining any
benefits to which they maybe entitled, such as: Survivor’s Death benefits from
the VA, or a Headstone if burial is in a Private Cemetery. Provide the County
Veterans Service Officer with the following when applying for Benefits.
A. Copy of the
Veterans service record (Discharge).
B. The Veteran’s VA claim number if there is one.
C. Social Security number of the Veteran, Spouse and Dependent Children.
D. GI Insurance policies, if any
E. Have information regarding marriage, birth dates of children, and if any
prior marriages existed, the information regarding when,
and how dissolved (death/divorce)
F. Copy of the Death Certificate of the Veteran.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE VETERAN TO HAVE ON HAND.
Name:____________________________________________________________
HOME ADDRESS:____________________________________________________
DATE OF ENLISTMENT:__________________PLACE:________________________
DATE OF DISCHARGE:________________PLACE:___________________________
BRANCH OF SERVICE:___________SERVICE:__________________________
DATE OF BIRTH:_________________PLACE OF BIRTH:___________________
DATE OF MARRAGE:______________________PLACE:_______________________
(City&County)
GOVERNMENT LIFE INSURANCE:___________POLICY #:_________________
(Amount)
VA CLAIM #:_____________________________SSN#:_______________________
RECORDS LOCATED:__________________________________________________
RECEIVED COMPENSATION:______________PENSION:______________________
(Amount) (Amount)
VA OFFICE WHERE
VETERAN’S RECORDS ARE MAINTAINED:____________
Fill in the form and place it in a safe place to be readily accessible in case
of the Veterans Death or Incapacitation.