Veterans Services

While many take our freedoms for granted, the staff at Denton Wood Funeral Home proudly recognizes the sacrifices made by those who have served our country with patriotism, devotion, and a willingness to defend others.

Our team is dedicated to offering quality service and professional guidance in assisting families with completing the necessary paperwork to obtain benefits provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans.

Understanding VA Burial Benefits and Memorial Items

VA burial benefits are designed to support service members, veterans, and their families in planning and funding a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are supplied by Veterans Affairs to honor the service of those who have served our nation.

Eligibility for Burial Benefits and National Cemetery Burial

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery and other benefits if they fulfill one of the following requirements:

• A veteran who did not receive a dishonorable discharge
• A service member who passed away while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
• The spouse or minor child of a veteran, even if the veteran passed away first
• In some instances, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran.
  
  

Military Funeral Honors and Committal Services

Military funeral honors consist of playing "Taps," a rifle detail, a color guard, and uniformed service members who respectfully fold and present the United States flag to the grieving family. These flags are typically given to the deceased's next of kin or close friend. To qualify for the burial flag, a veteran or reservist must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Served during wartime
• Passed away while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
• Served after January 31, 1955
• Served during peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after completing at least one enlistment or due to a disability caused or worsened by active military service
• Served in the Selected Reserves, or served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and passed away on or after April 25, 1951
  
  

Applying for Burial Benefits

Veterans' death benefits assist with covering burial, funeral, and transportation expenses related to the deceased's services and disposition. Survivors of those buried in a national cemetery can receive help with burial and funeral costs, plot or interment, and transporting the veteran's remains for burial.

A claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance must be filed within two years of the veteran's burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot, or interment allowance.

You can apply online at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530.

Veterans without a dishonorable discharge or service members who passed away while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet specific requirements. To determine if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/

The Department of Veterans Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of eligible deceased veterans at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, complete the VA Form 10-1330 and send it to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

5109 Russell Road

Quantico, VA 22134-3903

For more information about VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.