Veterans Burial Program
“Honoring Veterans for their Service to our Nation”

The Ultimate Experts in Burial and Cremation
Pre-Planning for Veterans

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR VETERANS BURIAL BENEFITS?

DON’T PURCHASE BURIAL OR CREMATION PROPERTY!

Qualified Veterans have earned FREE burial or cremation space at a National Cemetery. Burial in a National Cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces and Veterans who have met the minimum active service duty requirements and were discharged under circumstances other than dishonorable. Their spouse, widow or widower, minor children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adults children with disabilities, may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty, or while performing training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.

What is the
Veterans Burial Program?

The Veterans Burial Program educates veterans and their spouses about the burial and memorial benefits they are eligible for through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and assists them in putting a burial or cremation plan in place to assure they receive this valuable benefit and see that their wishes are carried out.

The program assists veterans and families in seven areas:

Presidential_memorial

Presidential Memorial Certificates

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of deceased Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

The Greatest Myth About Your
VA Burial & Memorial Benefits

A few years ago I was talking to an old Korean War Veteran who said, “I told my wife that when I die, all she needs to do is call the National Cemetery office. They will come and get me and take care of everything for you.”

Someone in the past had told him that the Veterans Administration would take care of all the expenses relating to his funeral. He assumed that expenses like the casket, transportation to the cemetery, death certificates, embalming or cremation were all covered.

Many Veterans have the mistaken idea that the National Cemetery has a mortuary or a crematory and all that their family needs to do is hand over a copy of the DD-214 and it’s all taken care of. They believe that their space is reserved and all expenses are paid for. The great news is that Cemetery expenses are indeed free for you, your spouse and your dependent children if you qualify. However, funeral obligations fall squarely on you! Here is the easy way to remember this: Inside the gate – your cost is free; Outside the gate – you pay the fee! It’s a good thing we were able to help him before it was too late. If his family would have followed his mistaken advice and waited until his death, they would have been in for a heartwrenching financial disaster.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you were honorably discharged, your spouse is eligible to be buried or interred with you at no charge.

No. Everything inside the gates of the National Cemetery is free for the veteran and spouse; however, all other expenses (including casket, transportation, cremation costs, etc.) are the responsibility of the veteran and their family.

No. Space at Riverside National Cemetery is assigned at the time of need.

Military funeral honors consist of folding and the presenting of the United States flag and the playing of taps. A funeral honors detail consists of two or more uniformed members of the armed forces, with at least one member from the deceased’s branch of service.

Family members should inform their funeral director if they want military funeral honors. The DoD maintains a special toll-free number for use by funeral directors only to request honors.

Since the VA does not make funeral arrangements or perform cremations, families should request that a file be opened with a funeral provider or cremation office. This file is prepared to assist you and your next of kin in carrying out your final wishes to include interment in Riverside National Cemetery.

About us

Veterans Burial Program Counselors are knowledgeable, state-licensed and professionally trained. The VBP has assisted thousands of Veterans and families all over Southern California. Counselors are always available to speak to your Veteran organization. Contact us to schedule a personal appointment. You will be glad you did!

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“There is no better time than NOW to decide what you want and to let your loved ones know. The best reason to plan for that final event is to make it easier on your surviving spouse and family members. Sometimes departure from this life is abrupt – instantly turning your loved one’s world upside down. Even if you know it is imminent, it is extremely difficult. All through life we learn to plan. We plan for college, marriage, careers, and retirement. Why is it that relatively few people plan for their Final Roll Call?”

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