Headstone or Marker
BENEFIT PROVIDED
Headstone or Marker:
Furnished upon application for the grave of any deceased veteran. Applicant may be anyone having knowledge of the deceased.
Memorial Headstone or Marker:
Furnished upon application by a relative recognized as the next of kin for installation only in a cemetery to commemorate any veteran whose remains have not been recovered or identified, were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and the remains scattered. May not be used as a memento.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Any deceased veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Service after September 7, 1980, must be for a minimum of 24 months or be completed under special circumstances, e.g., death on active duty. Persons who have only limited active duty service for training while in the National Guard or Reserves are not eligible unless there are special circumstances, e.g., death while on, or as a result of training. Persons with extended Reserve or National Guard service which entitled them to retirement pay subsequent to October 27, 1992, are eligible; a copy of the Reserve Retirement Eligibility Benefits Letter must accompany the application. Active duty service during the Persian Gulf War for all referenced above also establishes eligibility. Service prior to World War I requires detailed documentation, e.g., muster rolls, extracts from State files, military or State organization where served, pension or land warrant, etc.
HOW TO APPLY
VA Form 40-1330 must be completed in full and mailed to Office of Memorial Programs (403A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420-0001.
All costs to INSTALL the headstone or marker must be paid from private funds (the applicant).
United States Flag
ELIGIBILITY FOR FLAG
Veteran of a war, Mexican Border Service, or of service after 1/1/1955, discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable.
Discharged from, or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable, after serving at least one enlistment, or discharged for disability incurred in line of duty.
Separated by death in active service after 5/27/1941, and flag was not furnished by the service department.
Separated from Philippine Military Forces, under conditions other than dishonorable, after serving the U.S. in such forces under the President's order of 7/26/1941, and died on or after 4/25/1951.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN FLAG
V.A. Form 90-2008 "Application For United States Flag For Burial Purposes." (The funeral director will fill out this form and secure the proper signatures.)
Certified copy of DD-214-Discharge papers, if available. (The next-of-kin should bring this form to the arrangement conference.)
The funeral director will secure the necessary documentation and take it to the appropriate Post Office for issuance of the flag. Flags will not be issued subsequent to burial, except where circumstances render it impossible to obtain a flag in time to drape the casket of a deceased veteran prior to interment.
USE OF THE FLAG
The flag is issued on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs to honor the memory of any who has served our country.
The flag may be used to drape the casket. After the military commitment ceremony the flag is folded.
The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stowed in such a manner as will permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
The flag should never have placed upon it, nor any part of it, nor attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
The flag, when badly worn, torn, or soiled should no longer be publicly displayed, but privately destroyed by burning in such a manner as to convey no suggestion of disrespect or irreverence.
PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG
When used to drape the casket of the deceased, it must be delivered to the next of kin following interment or inurnment.
"Next of kin" is defined in the order of preference to entitlement:
- Widow or widower
- Children, according to age
- Parents, including adoptive, stepparents and foster parents
- Brothers or sisters, including brothers or sisters of the halfblood
- Uncles or aunts
- Nephews or nieces
- Others -- cousins, grandparents, etc.
Burial Benefits
(Claims must be filed within 2 years after permanent burial or cremation.)
