mickeyd
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I have been led to believe that this contains information that accurately describes what it takes to be buried in a National Cemetery. If anyone knows any more accurate information, this may be a good place to note it.
I do not have an immediate need for this info. Just becoming wise.
I do not have an immediate need for this info. Just becoming wise.
If the veterans passes regardless if they are receiving benefits for not, and have an Honorable discharge or under honorable conditions, they get free burial at the National Cemetery.
What does it take
(1) Copy of DD-214
(2) Family sets the services up, and informs the Funeral Director they want military honors and to be buried at the National Cemetery.
(3) The family pays for the service, there may be a cost for transportation of the remains or cremains. The cost is but by the funeral home, most funeral homes charge $75.00 some more, but nothing outrageous. If they charge some ungodly amount then that needs to be brought up then not wait until later (as to why it cost so much for transporting)
(4) Funeral Director will setup honors, and burial time after contacting the National Cemetery
(5) if the family desires to have the veteran buried at an outside cemetery outside of the National Cemetery because they have plots already or the families desires to have the veteran laid to rest then its at their cost or life insurance policy.
(6) The only thing that the military honors consist of is the two military members to fold the flag and present it, along with playing tapes, if the family wants full honors, then the funeral director should contact the local veterans organization to provide the honor guard for the volley of fire, and possible playing of taps.
Many years ago the change occurred when the full military honors was provided by the military, due to the shortage of military personnel and the cost of war, is when this came about.
Remember to the family, cost to be laid to rest at the National Cemetery is free, to include opening, closing, crept, headstone and honors saving $10,000.00
Cost at a local cemetery, opening and closing $300.00. Cost of the Crept who knows, cost of headstone is free from VA, but has to be ordered by the funeral director. cost of a private headstone who knows, cost of service casket etc.anywhere from $3,000.00 at the cheapest to $6 or 7,000.00
Every state has one or two National Cemeteries, depending on the size of the state there may be more, like California