Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. The core elements conducted for military funeral honors ceremonies include:

 

 Flag folding
 Flag presentation
 Playing of Taps

 

The veteran’s parent Service representative will present the flag.

 

Anyone desiring burial at sea should indicate that preference in writing (in a will or other legal document). Burial at Sea is a means of final disposition of remains that is performed on United States Navy vessels.

 

Eligibility: Individuals eligible for this program are:

1. active duty members of the uniformed services
2. retirees and veterans who were honorably discharged
3. U.S. civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command; and
4. dependent family members of active duty personnel, retirees, and veterans of the uniformed services
   

The committal ceremony is performed while the ship is deployed. For further assistance or questions about the Burial at Sea program, please contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office toll-free at 1-866-787-0081.

Commanding Officer
Naval Hospital Bremerton
Code 015-BAS/HPO1 Boone Road
Bremerton, WA 98312-1898
Phone: (360) 475-4790/4543

Morticians are also available 24 hours a day to provide benefits guidance and technical assistance to funeral directors and CACOs, or to answer any questions that may arise. Normal office hours are 0730 to 1600 Central Time. After hours, the duty mortician can be paged. Mortuary Affairs can be contacted at DSN 882-6682, commercial (901) 874-6682 or 3858 or toll free at 1-866-787-0081.

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. The following documents will be needed for claims processing related to a veteran's death:

1. Veteran's marriage certificate for claims of a surviving spouse or children.
2. Veteran's death certificate if the veteran did not die in a VA health care facility.
3. Children's birth certificates or adoption papers to determine children's benefits.
4. Veteran's birth certificate to determine parents' benefits.

Some veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

 

http://www.cem.va.gov/bbene_burial.asp

 
Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependents name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the veteran’s headstone, at no cost to the family.
 
Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the veteran.