Veteran Funeral Benefits in Chattanooga

VA Burial Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides several burial benefits to eligible veterans and their families. These benefits can significantly reduce the financial burden of funeral expenses.

Burial Allowance

VA provides burial allowances to help cover burial, funeral, and transportation costs. The amount varies based on the circumstances of the veterans death:

• Service-Connected Death: Up to $2,000 for burial and funeral expenses
• Non-Service-Connected Death: Up to $893 for burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by VA at time of death) or $300 (if not hospitalized)
• Plot Allowance: $893 for veterans not buried in a national cemetery

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for VA burial benefits, the veteran must have:

• • Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
• • Been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• • Died while hospitalized by VA or receiving VA compensation

Military Funeral Honors

All eligible veterans are entitled to military funeral honors at no cost. The honors ceremony is a way to show the nations gratitude for the veterans service.

Standard Military Honors Include:

• Folding and Presentation of the American Flag: The flag is folded 13 times and presented to the next of kin with the words, "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army, and a grateful nation..."
• Playing of Taps: The 24-note bugle call is played either live or via recording
• Honor Guard: At least two uniformed service members conduct the ceremony

Full Military Honors

Additional honors may be available for certain veterans and include:

• • Three-rifle volley (often called a 21-gun salute)
• • Casket team (pallbearers)
• • Color guard
• • Military chaplain
• • Caisson or hearse escort

National Cemeteries Near Chattanooga

Veterans and eligible family members may be buried in a national cemetery at no cost. The VA maintains several national cemeteries within driving distance of Chattanooga.

Benefits of National Cemetery Burial

• • Gravesite at no cost to the family
• • Opening and closing of the grave
• • Perpetual care of the gravesite
• • Government headstone or marker
• • Burial flag
• • Presidential Memorial Certificate

Headstones, Markers & Medallions

VA provides headstones, markers, and medallions at no cost to mark the graves of eligible veterans.

Available Options:

• Upright Headstone: White marble or granite, available for national and private cemeteries
• Flat Marker: Bronze, granite, or marble options available
• Niche Marker: For cremated remains placed in a columbarium
• Bronze Medallion: For veterans buried in private cemeteries with privately purchased headstones

Inscriptions can include name, dates, branch of service, rank, war service, awards, and an optional emblem of belief.

How to Arrange a Veteran Funeral

Planning a funeral for a veteran involves several steps. Heres what you need to know:

1. 1

   Gather Documents

   Locate the veterans DD-214 (discharge papers), death certificate, and any VA correspondence.

2. 2

   Contact a Funeral Home

   Choose a funeral home experienced with veteran services. They will help coordinate military honors.

3. 3

   Request Military Honors

   Your funeral home will contact the appropriate military branch to arrange honors.

4. 4

   Apply for Benefits

   Submit applications for burial allowance, headstone/marker, and Presidential Memorial Certificate.