Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: VA Question: Gravestones:

  1. #1

    VA Question: Gravestones:

    This question probably has never been asked before, because I have never heard of anyone walking out on it, but it has to do with VA Headstones.

    Veteran died and after the Funeral , the person that was supposed to fill out the VA Headstone forms , along with the reimbursement for the Plot and whatever Burial/ funeral expenses that the VA will reimburse; NEVER FILLED OUT THE FORMS !! Apparently, they are either too busy, or don't know how the heck to fill out the forms!

    Now, my questions:


    1. If they decide not to fill out that form, the Veteran is going to be left with just a temporary marker. That WILL NOT DO !! Can someone else go ahead and fill out those forms to get a VA Headstone on that Grave ?

    2. What happens to the reimbursement from the VA for the Plot and the Burial expenses if the receipts are in the name of the person that decided NOT to fill out that paperwork, and someone else fills out the paperwork and sends it in to the VA ?

  2. #2
    Are you sure the VA will reimburse for plot & burial expenses? I was of the understanding they only supplied the bronze plate attached to the stone with the correct military markings such as rank and branch of service. From what I understand, this is done at the request of a relative who contacts the VA with death information.
    Last edited by Mac McQuinn; 06-21-2017 at 1:36 AM.

  3. #3
    He served in the Korean War. They supply the flat Marble or Granite marker or the Upright tombstone . Choice of either one. They don't cover all funeral and Plot expenses $300 for the Burial and $749 for for the plot.

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Clarence Martin View Post
    He served in the Korean War. They supply the flat Marble or Granite marker or the Upright tombstone . Choice of either one. They don't cover all funeral and Plot expenses $300 for the Burial and $749 for for the plot.
    Was he a combat veteran or buried in a Military Cemetery by chance or is this something which was just recently implemented for veterans?
    Mac
    Last edited by Mac McQuinn; 06-21-2017 at 4:07 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    McKean, PA
    Posts
    15,593
    Blog Entries
    1
    It appears only the next of kin or a person specifically designated by the veteran may request a headstone from the VA. A copy the veterans DD 214 or retirement eligibility paper work must be provided. Here is a link. VA Headstone. You can certainly obtain the forms and help the next of kin. All VA regional offices can help with the forms as can many veterans organizations. If the next of kin is opposed or not interested you could have a problem getting a headstone for free. You could call Applicant VA Assistance Unit toll free at: 1-800-697-6947.

    However, if there is no next of kin, it may be possible for a Congressman or Senator to get the work done. There is nothing to prevent you from paying for a similar stone out of your own pocket, but the next of kin could object to having it placed on the grave.

    Captain USN (RET)
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Lee Schierer View Post
    It appears only the next of kin or a person specifically designated by the veteran may request a headstone from the VA. A copy the veterans DD 214 or retirement eligibility paper work must be provided. Here is a link. VA Headstone. You can certainly obtain the forms and help the next of kin. All VA regional offices can help with the forms as can many veterans organizations. If the next of kin is opposed or not interested you could have a problem getting a headstone for free. You could call Applicant VA Assistance Unit toll free at: 1-800-697-6947.

    However, if there is no next of kin, it may be possible for a Congressman or Senator to get the work done. There is nothing to prevent you from paying for a similar stone out of your own pocket, but the next of kin could object to having it placed on the grave.

    Captain USN (RET)
    Lee,

    Does this mean the veteran has to be retired from the military to be eligible?
    Mac

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    381
    Mac, the short answer is No. Any veteran qualifies for the marker. Least we can do for those who served. Clarence, Thanks for taking care of this, whether it's for a stranger or a friend.
    - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    Jim Mackell
    Arundel, ME

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,209
    Quote Originally Posted by Mac McQuinn View Post
    Lee,

    Does this mean the veteran has to be retired from the military to be eligible?
    Mac
    As Jim said, no. We just went through this for a relative who was not retired, but served honorably (WWII). There is a choice of markers I believe, so as others have mentioned it is important to have the next of kin involved. The link has more information.

    https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Mid Michigan
    Posts
    468
    FWIW....Dad was an undertaker for 40+ years.

    Most common was the flat bronze marker that was then affixed to the back of the private headstone, if no headstone, the flat granite one was used, placed on a cement base. Never saw dad use on of the upright ones, didn't know they were still offered until now.

    Some cemeteries only allow flat markers, so the bronze has to be used there.

    Biggest problem was the shipping companies, they most always dropped something on the granite markers, chipping them.

    Ed

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Carrollton, Georgia
    Posts
    1,815
    ..Just my opinion, but I believe the military ought to handle all of this, as well as medical needs, not the civilian sector. It's their province.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    McKean, PA
    Posts
    15,593
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Mac McQuinn View Post
    Lee,

    Does this mean the veteran has to be retired from the military to be eligible?
    Mac
    Here is the exact wording from the VA form.
    Capture.JPG
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  12. #12
    Totally different, but in NC there is a program run by NC Woodworker that GIVES urns for cremated remains of NC vets. Recently we received one for my nephew's remains. Some other states have a similar program, all run by woodworkers.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Carrollton, Georgia
    Posts
    1,815
    I guess that doesn't really answer the immediate question : If the NOK is not willing or able or otherwise fails to fill out the form, can the next in line make the request ?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    McKean, PA
    Posts
    15,593
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Yonak Hawkins View Post
    If the NOK is not willing or able or otherwise fails to fill out the form, can the next in line make the request ?
    You would have to ask the VA. I've had other dealings with the VA in the past and I know that a congressional inquiry can have different results that an individual can get.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •