At McDonald and Son Funeral Homes, we take immense pride in serving our veterans with the honor and respect they deserve. Recognizing the significant veteran population in our county, we are dedicated to providing specialized services that reflect our gratitude for their sacrifices. Our experienced team ensures that every detail, from military honors to personalized tributes, is meticulously handled to celebrate the lives of those who have bravely served our nation. We are committed to supporting veteran families with compassion, dignity, and unwavering dedication.

Below is some helpful information as well as links that will help assist you. Any questions, we are here to help! Contact Us Today

See Photos of Veterans Trip to Georgia National Cemetery

Understanding Eligibility and Requirements:

Veteran eligibility for burial benefits, death benefits, and memorial items hinges on various factors, primarily verified through the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). Pre-1950, different military branches utilized similar forms. In the absence of a DD Form 214, alternative documents demonstrating honorable discharge may suffice, and replacements can be obtained through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

MORE INFO FROM THE VA

Eligibility Requirements:

Active duty service members and Selected Reserve members are typically eligible.

Former service members with honorable discharge are generally eligible, barring dishonorable discharge.

Those completing at least one enlistment period in the Selected Reserves, without dishonorable discharge, qualify.

Former Selective Reserve members discharged due to service-related disabilities are eligible.

Veterans Burial Allowance:

A burial allowance, also sometimes called a “veterans death benefit”, may be available to help offset any burial, funeral, and transportation costs related to a veteran’s death. You will need to pay for these services in advance and then apply for the allowance, however it is an option if these expenses are not being reimbursed by another agency or the veteran’s employer.

The amount of a burial allowance varies based on the veteran’s date of death and whether the death was service related. There is also an additional allowance amount for a headstone or marker. Your funeral director can help you determine eligibility and the amount of any potential allowances. You can also find more information regarding burial allowances here.

Burial Flag:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a United States flag at no cost to the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran. The flag is provided as a keepsake designed to honor the memory of the veteran. It is typically used during the funeral or memorial service during the flag folding and presentation ceremony detailed above before being presented to the family or next-of-kin.

Family members or close friends of the veteran may apply for a burial flag if the veteran meets one of the following eligibility requirements:

The veteran served during wartime
They died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
The veteran served after January 31, 1955
They served in peacetime and were discharged or released from service before June 27, 1950 after serving at least one enlistment or were discharged due to disability that was caused or made worse by active military service.
In certain cases, those who served in the Selected Reserves and those who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951.

Burial Flag:

Family members or close friends of the veteran may apply for a burial flag if the veteran meets one of the following eligibility requirements:

The veteran served during wartime
They died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
The veteran served after January 31, 1955
They served in peacetime and were discharged or released from service before June 27, 1950 after serving at least one enlistment or were discharged due to disability that was caused or made worse by active military service.
In certain cases, those who served in the Selected Reserves and those who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951.

Military Funeral Honors

All eligible veterans are entitled to standard Military Funeral Honors (MFH) during their funeral or memorial service. This ceremony includes traditions for military honors that are deeply meaningful and symbolic to our service members and their loved ones. The elements of the standard MFH ceremony typically include the following components.

Uniformed Detail: Every eligible veteran is entitled to have, at a minimum, two uniformed service members present at their ceremony, typically representing the veteran’s branch of service. You may be able to request more service members depending on the veteran’s rank. It is also possible to have additional service members to serve as pallbearers if desired.
Playing of Taps: Taps has been an element of standard military funeral ceremonies since 1891, and holds deep meaning for many people. Taps will be performed by a live bugler when possible, but may also be played using a high-quality recording depending on the circumstances. A recording may be played over a traditional music player or a ceremonial bugle, which is an electronic device designed to fit inside the bell of a bugle to mimic a live performance.
Flag Ceremony: The U.S. flag is an important symbol to help honor the memory of a service member and symbolize the contributions they’ve made. The ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag is included as part of the MFH tradition. For a casketed service, the flag is draped over a closet casket before being folded. While Taps plays, the flag is folded into the tricorn shape composed of 13 folds, designed to represent the original 13 colonies.

For a service with an urn, the flag will already be folded and carried next to the urn in a manner similar to ceremonies involving casketed remains. When the urn comes to its place of rest, the flag will be unfolded and ceremoniously held over the urn. It will then be folded again before the next part of the service.

Once the flag is folded, it will be presented to the family or other representative of the Veteran. The flag is intended to be a keepsake for the family and a long lasting tribute to remember the sacrifices made by the Veteran and their family. Many families choose to display the flag in a special flag case. There are also flag case urns designed to hold cremated remains while protecting the flag.

In addition to the standard MFH, some veterans may qualify for additional honors based on their rank. Full MFH may include elements such as a military flyover, color guard, and a rifle salute. To receive Military Funeral Honors, the required documentation must be submitted as soon as possible to provide sufficient time to organize resources. Your funeral home or funeral director can help with completing the correct forms and getting them submitted to the correct agency. You can also reach out to the Department of Defense with questions regarding the Military Funeral Honors program on their website.

Veterans Headstones

The VA will provide a free Government headstone or marker for any unmarked grave of an eligible veteran at any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death. For eligible veterans who passed away on or after November 1, 1990, a headstone or marker can be provided even if there is a private headstone or marker already in place. Headstones and markers are generally made of granite, marble, or bronze and the applicant can select the type of marker they’d prefer, whether flat or upright. Depending on the cemetery or place of burial, there may be specific restrictions and requirements for any headstones or markers that must be followed. For veterans choosing to be cremated, the VA can also provide a niche marker designed to accompany cremated remains placed in a columbarium.

For burials occurring in a national cemetery, state veteran’s cemetery, or at a military base or post cemetery, any headstones or markers will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on information provided by the next of kin or other representative of the veteran. Headstones and markers are not provided for the spouse or children of the veteran unless those family members are being buried with the veteran in a national cemetery, state Veteran’s cemetery, or on a military base or post.

The veteran’s family may be responsible for any fees associated with or charges incurred from placing the headstone or marker in a private cemetery, such as setting fees or cemetery expenses.

Burial in a National Cemetery

Eligible veterans may be entitled to burial in a VA national cemetery, along with their surviving spouse and children of the veteran in certain situations. Cremated remains may still be buried or interred in a VA national cemetery in the same manner as a traditional casketed burial, including any honors that may be rendered during the service.

The following benefits are included with burial in a VA national cemetery and are provided at no cost to the family of the veteran:

An assigned gravesite, provided the cemetery has a space available.
Any fees associated with opening and closing of the grave.
If necessary, a grave liner will be provided.
A government-furnished upright headstone, flat grave marker, or niche cover.
A burial flag.
Perpetual care of the grave.

VA cemeteries only allow arrangements to be made at the time of death and therefore you may not reserve a space in advance. However, you can apply for and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility to inform the state of any intentions to be buried in a VA cemetery within that state. While specific plots cannot be reserved, you are able to reserve a space adjacent to the plot for burial of a spouse or minor child next to the veteran. Also be aware that there are frequently waiting periods before a burial in a VA cemetery can take place, as the VA needs time to confirm a decedent’s eligibility. This process can be helped by making sure the family has all of the necessary documentation and by obtaining pre-need burial eligibility confirmation when possible.