What Benefits Are Provided by the VA (Veterans Affairs) at the Time of Death?

Losing a loved one can be devastating.

And sadly, it often means that family members are faced with unexpected and significant funeral and burial costs.

If your loved one completed military service during their lifetime, you may be entitled to veteran life insurance benefits provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which is meant to alleviate some of the financial burden.

What Are Veterans Benefits?

Veterans benefits are various forms of assistance and support provided by the government to individuals who have served in the military, typically in the armed forces.

These benefits are intended to recognize and honor the sacrifices made by veterans and to help improve their quality of life after their military service, including a pension, educational benefits, and even burial assistance, including burial in a national cemetery, provision of a headstone or marker, and financial support for funeral expenses.

What Will Veteran Benefits Provide At the Time of Death? 

The VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) provides burial privileges to all honorably discharged veterans, which includes reservists, members of the National Guard, active duty military personnel, Korean War Veterans, and others.

Any dependent children, as well as the veteran's spouse, are also eligible for burial at a VA national cemetery when they pass away.

The VA burial benefits will cover the costs of burying the veteran at a national cemetery up to $2,000, depending on the circumstances. 

The VA will provide funeral services for veterans who qualify at no cost, including transportation of the remains, perpetual care of the gravesite, a headstone or marker, funeral arrangements, and the services of a funeral director.

In addition, the Department of Defense or National Guard may provide full military funeral honors if requested. 

This will include the folding and presenting of the US burial flag at either a private or national cemetery during the burial.

Eligible survivors will receive a tax-free death pension as a means of financial assistance. In order to receive the benefits, the veteran should have met one of the following criteria:

• Age 65 or older at the time of their death

• Had a service-related permanent or total disability

• Been killed in action or died on active duty

• Received VA disability compensation at the time of death

• Have served during a war period at the time of death

The death pension is typically between $250 and $1,000 per month.

Unfortunately for most families, this isn’t enough to cover the rising cost of funerals, burials and other end-of-life expenses that follow after a loved one passes away.

Bridging the Gap With Final Expense Insurance

When a veteran passes away, their family members often assume that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will cover all the necessary expenses.

However, it's important to understand that the VA may not cover all the costs associated with the veteran's final arrangements.

If your loved one is a veteran and the primary breadwinner, settling debts and keeping up the mortgage will be extremely difficult, even if your family is eligible for a death pension. 

Final Expense Direct is a company specializing in final expense insurance, also known as burial insurance or funeral insurance.

This type of insurance is designed to help alleviate the financial burden on families when a loved one passes away. 

If your loved one takes out a final expense policy, they will receive:

Coverage for Funeral Expenses

Final Expense Direct policies provide a lump sum benefit that can be used to cover any funeral expenses.

These expenses may include the cost of the casket, burial plot, funeral service, transportation, flowers, and other related costs.

While the VA may provide up to $2000, this may not cover all expenses, especially if your family travels to the funeral service, or if the veteran in question doesn’t want to be buried in the national cemetery.

The average funeral is between $8,000 to $10,000 so final expense insurance is a great way to bridge the gap between the VA benefits, and the remainder of expenses incurred at the time of death.

Customized Coverage

Final Expense Direct offers customizable policies through a number of top rated insurance companies allowing families to select the desired coverage amount based on their specific needs. This flexibility enables them to tailor the policy to cover the expected costs of the funeral and other final arrangements.

No Medical Exam

Final Expense Direct offers policies with a simplified application process that does not require a medical examination. This can be especially beneficial for older veterans or people with pre-existing health conditions.

Peace of Mind

By securing final expense insurance through Final Expense Direct, families can have peace of mind knowing that they have financial protection in place for the inevitable costs associated with their loved one's passing. It can alleviate stress during an already challenging and emotional time.

How Final Expense Direct Can Help Supplement Where Veterans Benefits Lack

While the VA may offer certain benefits to veterans, such as burial in a national cemetery or a burial flag, these benefits may not cover the entirety of the expenses involved.

Final Expense Direct can complement the VA benefits by ensuring that the family has the necessary funds to cover the remaining costs.

If the family relies solely on VA benefits, they may face unexpected financial burdens, which can be particularly challenging if they are already dealing with grief and loss.

Final Expense Direct's final expense insurance provides a practical solution by offering coverage specifically designed for funeral and end-of-life expenses, ensuring that the family can honor their loved one's memory without added financial stress.

If you are a veteran and have questions that your funeral and final expenses may or may not be fully covered by your veterans benefits, then, get in touch with Final Expense Direct. 

We partner with all of the top final-expense life insurance companies that can help you find the best coverage options for your family.

Call 1(877)674-0014 now and see what you qualify for.