TThere are several benefits available to honorably discharged veterans. Burial benefits include a gravesite in a national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, government headstone, marker or medallion, burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in the same manner. See the National Cemetery Administration’s webpage about Burial Benefits.

Reimbursements for burials in a private cemetery may also be provided as long as reimbursement is not provided by other government agency or employer. You may apply for reimbursement if you are a surviving spouse, child, parent or administrator of the veteran’s estate.

The reimbursement amounts vary depending on whether death was service-connected or not, the date of death and whether the death was in a VA contracted hospital. Although there is time limit of two years to apply for reimbursement for non-service-connected deaths, there is no time limit for service-connected deaths. Please check with the Veterans Administration for more detailed information and how to apply.

For more information, US Dept of Veterans Affairs office | 800-698-2411

See also the national Funeral Consumers Alliance’s webpage about Veterans’ Funeral and Burial Benefits

For Massachusetts information, see Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. These cemeteries are located in Agawam and in Winchendon.

• For Agawam, call 413-821-9500 or visit 1390 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001
• For Winchedon, call 978-297-9501 or visit 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA 01475