Veterans Benefits

Air Force Military Funeral Honors

Memorial Benefits

In return for the sacrifices made by those who are serving, or have served, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense provide several memorial and burial services for eligible active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired and veteran members.

As a service member or military family member you should to be aware of your memorial benefits before you need them. The following information is presented to assist you in planning for, or dealing with, one of life's most unpleasant times. The following is a comprehensive list of benefits offered to pay respect to those who have served.

Memorial Benefits:
• Arlington National Cemetery 
• Burial Expenses 
• Burial Flags 
• Death Gratuity 
• Death Pension 
• Funeral Honors 
• Headstones and Markers 
• Memorial Benefits Eligibility
• Memorial Benefits Explained
• National Cemeteries 
• Presidential Memorial Certificates 
• Retiree Burial Benefits 
• State Cemeteries 
• Support Organizations 
• Tragedy Assistance Program 
• Survivor Benefits

Visit http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial to obtain information about the above benefits and programs.

Survivor Benefits

Dealing with the death of a family member in the military is never easy, but surviving family members are entitled to certain benefits that can help ease financial difficulties. Looking into these benefits at the time a loved one dies can be difficult emotionally, but you should go through this process as soon as possible, otherwise you risk facing unexpected circumstances that may prevent you from receiving your benefits.

When a service member dies, family members are offered several forms of compensation. These include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, proceeds from SGLI, various basic benefits, and the Survivor Benefits Plan. Each military service branch has a Casualty Assistance branch that is dedicated to assisting you with your paperwork and applications for all of your benefits and compensation.

The resources and information in this section will assist you in dealing with the death of service member or retiree.

Survivor Benefits
• Burial Expenses 
• Death Gratuity 
• Death Investigations 
• Death Pension 
• Dependency Compensation 
• Educational Assistance 
• Gold Star Lapel Button 
• Goods: Storage and Shipment 
• Health and Dental Care 
• Retiree Benefits 
• Retiree Casualty: DOs and DON'Ts 
• Servicemember's Life Insurance 
• Surviving Family Benefits 
• Survivor Benefit Plan
• Survivor Resources 
• Survivor Support Organizations 
• Terms and Definitions 
• Tragedy Assistance Program 
• VA: Benefits Overview 
• Veteran Disability Compensation

Visit http://www.military.com/benefits/survivor-benefits to obtain information about the above listed benefits and resources.