The process of planning a funeral can feel stressful and overwhelming, especially if you're also trying to work through grief or other emotions. When planning certain types of funerals, such as a funeral for a veteran, there are certain details that you need to keep in mind. Keep reading for a few things you need to know about making the final arrangements for a veteran.

1. Veterans Are Eligible for VA Burial Benefits

Many individuals worry about how they're going to pay for their loved one's burial. If your loved one is a veteran, you should know that the VA will issue financial burial benefits that will help pay for their final expenses.

The amount of the VA burial benefits varies based on multiple factors. Benefit payments are higher for service-related deaths, and veterans who are in a VA hospital when they pass away will also receive larger payments.

Note that your loved one is not eligible for financial VA burial benefits if they qualify to receive burial benefits from another source (like an employer or government agency).

2. You May Request Special Items Received for Veterans

Veterans are eligible for burial in one of the national veterans' cemeteries. This burial will also include a headstone or grave marker. You may prefer that your loved one be buried in a private graveyard. If so, you can still request items free of charge for their burial.

The VA will provide you with a headstone or gravemarker, as well as a burial flag. It's also possible to request military funeral honors for the burial. During the ceremony for military funeral honors, "Taps" will be played during a flag ceremony.

There is no cost for military funeral honors, and your funeral home can assist you with making this request for your loved one's funeral. They will contact the appropriate individual in your area and make the necessary arrangements

3. There Are Also Options for Cremation

If your loved one preferred cremation over burial for their final arrangements, you should know that there are still options available to veterans. It's possible to use VA burial benefits for final arrangements that include cremation. You can also request that your loved one's ashes be scattered at sea by the US navy.

Should you opt for scattering the ashes at sea, know that this service is free. However, you do need to have your loved one's body prepared for transit by your funeral home. You also need to make arrangements to get your loved one to the site of the ship. 

Reach out to a company like Aspen Mortuaries to learn more.