Most executors feel the strong desire to honor the deceased as best they can and to celebrate the most significant parts of that individual’s life at the funeral or memorial service. For many who served in the military, there is tremendous pride in the service that they provided to their nation, so it is appropriate that this service is recognized as a part of the celebration of their lives.
If the person for whom you are serving as an executor was a veteran, there are multiple ways you can honor their service in the military and potentially save the estate money. You’ll also want to make sure to meet your legal notification requirements.
Military Honors at the Funeral
If you become involved before the funeral plans are set, remember that military honors at the funeral are an option to consider and can be arranged by a funeral director. If the deceased is eligible, the Department of Defense, upon request, will arrange for an honor guard to attend the burial. The honor guard will consist of at least two members of the armed forces, with one being a representative of the branch in which the deceased served. At a minimum, they’ll conduct a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the U.S. flag to the next of kin and the playing of taps. If possible, a bugler will play taps. However, since nowadays very few people learn to play the bugle, a recording of taps might be used.
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Funeral Benefits and Cost Reimbursement
If your executor duties begin after the funeral, you’ll need to determine whether certain funeral-related costs may be reimbursed to the deceased’s estate by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
For example, free VA benefits available to qualified veterans include a gravesite in any of the 135 national cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a President Memorial Certificate.
In addition to the above benefits, the VA also may reimburse some funeral expenses for veterans who meet certain criteria, including having been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
For deaths related to military service:
- The VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.
For veterans who died nonservice-related deaths:
- The VA will pay up to $749 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by the VA at the time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by the VA at the time of death), and up to $749 for a burial plot (if not buried in a national cemetery).
To be eligible to receive benefits on behalf of the deceased, the following must apply:
- You paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral.
- You have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased’s employer.
- You can provide detailed receipts showing the cost of the funeral and related services.
Your funeral director can be a great resource for determining funeral benefits; in most cases, they’ll be able to help you arrange them. The VA is another great place to go for information (learn more by clicking here or calling 1-800-827-1000), as is Executor.org, which in addition to explaining military benefits can help you plan the entire funeral and settle the deceased’s estate.
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one who served in the military? Join our Loss of a Veteran grief support group.
Notifying the VA of the Death
If the deceased received benefits from the VA during his or her life, you also need to notify the VA of the death. By notifying the VA, you can ensure benefits are canceled and future benefits will not be distributed. Remember, it is part of the executor role to notify appropriate groups and organizations of the death in a timely manner. It is much easier to stop benefits before they are distributed than having to go through the process of paying them back if they were already issued. Many benefits are now distributed through direct deposit to a bank account, so be sure to check the deceased’s past bank statements for any indication of recurring VA benefit payments.
While most of the duties of an executor are the same regardless of whether the deceased was a veteran, part of the executor’s role is to ensure these specialized steps are followed when the deceased was a veteran.
Taking the time to honor your veteran is often appropriate, depending on the specifics of their service and their feelings about it after they served. Including a military honor guard at burial also can be very meaningful and important to family members. Seeking out reimbursement for funeral costs is important not only because the deceased earned those benefits by serving, but also because it will add value to the estate you are settling. The little bit of extra effort required to honor your loved one and collect these benefits will be worth the time and effort you’ll put into taking these steps.
Have a question about executorship? Get an answer by sending an email to [email protected].
Patrick O’Brien is CEO and co-founder of Executor.org, a free, comprehensive online resource that helps executors manage their responsibilities and duties in this complex role. The free tools include a helpful step-by-step interactive guide for executors and invaluable tips on everything from planning a funeral and keeping beneficiaries happy to dealing with grief and managing estate assets.
ALSO READ:
- What to Do When a Veteran Dies
- What Funeral Benefits Am I Eligible For?
- 3 Reasons to Plan a Funeral in Advance
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