SERVICES

At Church Funeral Services & Crematory, we deeply honor the sacrifices made by those who served our country with bravery and dedication. Our staff is committed to recognizing their patriotism and ensuring they receive the respect they deserve. We provide compassionate support to families, guiding them through the process of obtaining benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans, and ensuring that every detail is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. 

VA burial benefits are designed to help service members, veterans, and their families with the planning and costs of a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items, provided by the Veterans Affairs, honor the service of those who have dedicated their lives to our country. 

Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery and associated benefits may include veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents who meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge 
• Service members who died 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 has passed away 
• In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran 

Military funeral honors typically include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard, and uniformed service members who fold and present the United States flag to the family. The flag is usually given to the deceased’s next of kin or a close friend. To qualify for the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must meet one of the following conditions: 

• Served in wartime 
• Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941 
• Served after January 31, 1955 
• Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after at least one enlistment or due to a disability related to their service 
• Served in the Selected Reserves or in the military forces of the Philippines while in service to the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951 

VA burial benefits can help cover costs related to burial, funeral, and transportation. For those buried in a national cemetery, assistance include the plot and internment. 

To apply for a non-service-connected burial allowance, you must file a claim within two years of the burial or cremation. There is no time limit for applying for a service-connected burial, plot, or interment allowance. 

You can apply online at VA Burials and Memorials or by mail using VA Form 21P-530. 

Veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge or service members who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain conditions. For more information on eligibility, visit VA Headstones and Markers. 

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

Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3909 

For additional information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit VA Burial and Memorials or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.