Dolly, As far as paperwork, his military death certificate should be sufficient. Neal Burial Arrangements No
special forms are required when requesting burial in a VA national
cemetery. The person making burial arrangements should have their
funeral home contact the national cemetery in which burial is desired
at the time of need. Scheduling can be done seven days a week for
interments on Mondays through Fridays. If possible, the following information concerning the deceased should be provided when the cemetery is first contacted:
The discharge documents must specify active military duty and show
that release from active duty was under other than dishonorable
conditions. Viewing facilities are not available and funeral services cannot be held at VA national cemeteries, but a final committal service may be performed. For safety reasons, these committal services are held in committal shelters located away from the gravesite. Burial will take place following the committal service. Floral arrangements may accompany the casket or urn from the committal shelter and will be placed on the grave after burial. A headstone or marker will be ordered by cemetery personnel upon inscription approval by the next of kin and a burial flag will be provided. Upright headstones are standard in most national cemeteries, however, some have both upright headstone and flat marker sections. Be sure to discuss these options with the cemetery director prior to burial. The same procedures are followed if the veteran's eligible spouse or dependent predeceases the Veteran. In most cases, one gravesite is provided for the burial of all eligible family members and a single headstone or marker is provided. When both spouses are Veterans, two gravesites and two headstones or markers may be provided if requested. The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing Military Funeral Honors. The DOD program, "Honoring Those Who Served," calls for funeral directors to request military funeral honors on behalf of the Veterans' families. Veterans' organizations may assist in the provision of military funeral honors. In support of this program, VA national cemetery staff may assist to coordinate military funeral honors. Neal A. Puckett, Esq LtCol, USMC (Ret) Puckett & Faraj, PC Washington DC | Virginia 888.970.0005 The information contained in this electronic message is confidential, and is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are hereby notified that any use, distribution, copying of disclosure of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you received this communication in error, please notify Puckett & Faraj, P.C. at 888-970-0005 or via a return the e-mail to sender. You are required to purge this E-mail immediately without reading or making any copy or distribution. |