Veteran's Burial Benefits
Private Cemetery Benefits
Many veteran families have expressed their desire to have traditional family plots in order to maintain the integrity of the family in their burial arrangements. Others have suggested a more private and personal burial would be in their best interest. Still others have wanted to have the traditional side by side burials. These options are not available at the national cemetery* so Mission Park has made this possible AND still have the veterans portion FREE**!
Introducing the Veterans Memorial Section
Field of Honor
at
Mission Park RETAMA cemetery.
In this exclusive part of our newest cemetery we offer free of charge to veteran and spouse:
Companion burial space
Outer burial container
Granite memorial marker
Opening and closing of grave
Care and maintenance of cemetery
We are proud to be the only funeral home in Bexar county that offers these benefits and has a dedicated advisor that caters specifically to veteran needs and has been a featured speaker about veteran burial benefits at dozens of area military organizations. Further, we will assist any veteran receive a copy of their discharge papers, Presidential Memorial Certificate and Bronze Veterans Medallion. There is no charge for this service or requirement to use Mission Park. This is being provided as a public service to our military veterans.
Contact our Veteran Benefits Department today:
Telephone - 210-576-3480
E-mail -
*Side by side graves are available at the national cemetery if both spouses are qualified military veterans.
**Must have served honorably and make pre-arrangements with Mission Park Funeral Chapels for items not provided by the VA . Service requirements are more flexible than at the national cemetery. Many will qualify for Retama benefits even if they are not qualified for burial at the national cemetery. Details will be provided by Mission Park veteran benefits advisor.
Presidential Memorial Certificates
 The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President. Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Eligible recipients include next of kin, other relatives and friends. The award of a certificate to one eligible recipient does not preclude certificates to other eligible recipients. The veteran may have died at any time in the past. The Mission Park Veteran Benefits Department will be happy to assist any veteran with applying for a copy of their DD-214, original Presidential memorial certificate or bronze Veteran medallion to qualifying veterans. There is no fee or requirement to use Mission Park to receive this service. For all others the local VA regional office generally originates the application for a Presidential Memorial Certificate. The next of kin also may request a certificate. Requests should be accompanied by a copy of a document such as a discharge to establish honorable service. VA regional offices can assist in applying for certificates.
Headstones and Markers
VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.
Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and upright marble types are available to mark the grave in a style consistent with the place of burial. Niche markers also are available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.
Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service. Optional items that also may be inscribed at VA expense are: military grade, rank or rate; war service such as World War II; months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting one's beliefs; valor awards; and the Purple Heart. Additional items may be inscribed at private expense.
When burial is in a national, state veteran or military cemetery, the headstone marker is ordered through the cemetery, inscription, shipping and placement can be obtained from the cemetery.
When burial occurs in a cemetery other than a national, military post or state veterans cemetery, the headstone marker must be applied for from VA. It is shipped at government expense. VA, however, does not pay the cost of placing the headstone or marker on the grave. To apply, you must complete VA form 40-1330 and forward it to Director, Office of Memorial Programs (403A), National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Forms and assistance are available at VA application you may call the Director, Office of Memorial Programs at 1-800-697-6947.
VA cannot issue a headstone or marker for a spouse or child buried in a private cemetery. Twenty year reservists without active duty service are eligible for a headstone or marker, if they are entitled to military retired pay at the time of death.
Burial Flags
VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a veteran and to a person entitled to retired military pay. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin or a close associate. VA also will issue a flag on behalf of a service member who was missing in action and later presumed dead. Flags are issued at VA regional offices, national cemeteries, and post offices. Mission Park Funeral Chapels will secure the flag on behalf of any qualified veteran when we perform the service.
Burial in National VA Cemeteries
Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria for the inurnment of cremated remains or special gravesites for the burial of cremated remains. Headstones and markers and their placement are provided at the government's expense.
Veterans and armed forces members who die on active duty are eligible for burial in one of VA's 114 national cemeteries. An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated from active duty under honorable or general conditions and have completed the required period of service. Persons entitled to retired pay as a result of 20 years creditable service with a reserve component are eligible. A U.S. citizen who served in the armed forces of a government allied with the United States in a war also may be eligible.
Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of armed forces members also may be buried in a national cemetery. A surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who married a nonveteran, and whose remarriage was terminated by death or divorce, is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Reservations made under previous programs are honored. The National Cemetery System normally does not conduct burials on weekends. A weekend caller, however, will be directed to one of three strategically located VA cemetery offices that remain open during weekends to schedule burials at the cemetery of the caller's choice during the following week.
What is the purpose of VA burial benefits?
VA burial benefits help to offset the costs of the veteran's burial, funeral, and plot-interment.
How much does VA pay?
Service-Related Deaths. If a military service-related injury or disease caused the veteran's death, 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 costs for transporting the veteran's remains may be reimbursed.
Certain Non Service-Related Deaths. For deaths occurring in a VA facility, a VA contracted nursing home or a State Veterans' nursing home on or after October 1, 2011, VA will pay a $700 burial and funeral allowance. In addition, VA will pay a $700 plot allowance when a veteran who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery and who is not buried in a national cemetery or other cemetery under U.S. government jurisdiction. In cases in which the Veteran's death was not service-connected, claims must be filed within two years after burial or cremation.
What are the eligibility criteria for non service-related death benefits?
- The veteran was receiving VA compensation or pension at the time of death, OR
- The veteran was entitled to receive VA compensation or but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, OR
- The veteran died in a VA hospital or while in a nursing home under VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing home, OR
- There is no next of kin or other person claiming the remains of the veteran, and there are not available sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral costs, and the veteran served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during any war or was discharged from the military because of a service-connected disability.
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