Posted on Dec 31, 2015
Have you indicated in your Last Will and Testament that you want to be buried in a National Cemetery with full or normal military honors?
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Have you indicated in your Last Will and Testament that you want to be buried in a National Cemetery with full or normal military honors?
RP Members this is something that is very important to me and something that I've discussed with my family. It is something that all families need to discuss and be prepared for if you are a veteran and wish to utilize your veteran benefits either at a National Cemetery, State Cemetery, or Private Cemetery.
Have you prepared for it?
Do you think it is an honor and privilege as a veteran to be buried at a National Cemetery with full or normal military honors (or) you don't care either way or haven't planned for that day yet?
The VA provides a number of resources for this very important matter:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
I bring this up because we just experience the death of my father-in-law (Vietnam Veteran) there is still a cost to make arrangements through your local funeral home for a visitation, transportation, cremation, and other arrangements that can start at around $6,000.00 and go up. This is before any VA Benefits come into the process.
RP Members this is something that is very important to me and something that I've discussed with my family. It is something that all families need to discuss and be prepared for if you are a veteran and wish to utilize your veteran benefits either at a National Cemetery, State Cemetery, or Private Cemetery.
Have you prepared for it?
Do you think it is an honor and privilege as a veteran to be buried at a National Cemetery with full or normal military honors (or) you don't care either way or haven't planned for that day yet?
The VA provides a number of resources for this very important matter:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp
I bring this up because we just experience the death of my father-in-law (Vietnam Veteran) there is still a cost to make arrangements through your local funeral home for a visitation, transportation, cremation, and other arrangements that can start at around $6,000.00 and go up. This is before any VA Benefits come into the process.
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What Would You Do
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 57
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
MAJ (Join to see) There are a lot. Here is link to check out: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp
National Cemeteries
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 133 national cemeteries in 40 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier's lots and monument sites. Please note that there is not a VA national cemetery in every state.
State Veterans Cemeteries
Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is similar to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries, but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA's Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states. We cannot answer your questions or comments about any of these veterans cemeteries. Please contact the specific cemetery for information.
National Cemeteries
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) National Cemetery Administration maintains 133 national cemeteries in 40 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldier's lots and monument sites. Please note that there is not a VA national cemetery in every state.
State Veterans Cemeteries
Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is similar to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries, but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA's Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states. We cannot answer your questions or comments about any of these veterans cemeteries. Please contact the specific cemetery for information.
Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery Listing - National Cemetery Administration
The VA National Cemetery Administration honors the military service of our Nation's veterans. We provide a dignified burial and lasting memorial for veterans and their eligible family members and we maintain our veterans' cemeteries as national shrines.
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PO1 Michael Fullmer
My last will is set aside with bequests. I have an attachment to my will which stipulates my final wishes, i.e. full military honors, etc. I will be cremated and while the bulk of me will be interred at home, the rest I would like buried at sea if still possible.
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I have requested cremation. My significance won't be in a stone on the ground. If my wife & son, and future grandchildren need a ceremony I'll let them make that decision.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS I have done the same in my W&T, but with interment at Arlington National Cemetery!
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I just took care of this a couple of months ago and my Will states I will be buried at Arlington.
I believe it's important that your family knows what your last wishes are and where you want to be buried. For a long time I wouldn't do it, for all the reasons we all give but I'll tell ya it really is a big burden off of your shoulders when it's all in writing and you know where you're going.
Great question.
I believe it's important that your family knows what your last wishes are and where you want to be buried. For a long time I wouldn't do it, for all the reasons we all give but I'll tell ya it really is a big burden off of your shoulders when it's all in writing and you know where you're going.
Great question.
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I also noted that full instructions would accompany my dress uniform (how it should look, even though it is ready to go right now), as I requested that I be buried in that. Just in case no one is around w/a copy of AR 670-1 at the time :)
Also, put contact info in there on who to contact to set up the burial and if you want a firing party (usually a local veteran unit like the VFW), so have their contact info in there as well. Keep a certified copy of your DD 214 with your will so your NOK can get that to the National Cemetery asap. You can't "reserve" a spot, so this will have to be requested after you're gone.
Also, put contact info in there on who to contact to set up the burial and if you want a firing party (usually a local veteran unit like the VFW), so have their contact info in there as well. Keep a certified copy of your DD 214 with your will so your NOK can get that to the National Cemetery asap. You can't "reserve" a spot, so this will have to be requested after you're gone.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSG Mike Busovicki That is some great detail and good information - I've made note of it - thanks for sharing!
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I would like to be buried here where I live, but with military honors, of course.
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Thank you, COL. I have my will prepared, yet failed to include this information.
Looks like 2016 is the time to update not only mine, but the wife's as well (she is also a Vet).
Looks like 2016 is the time to update not only mine, but the wife's as well (she is also a Vet).
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If I pass in the states, I am to be cremated and interred at Punchbowl, National Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. If I pass anywhere else my remains are to be cremated and scattered over the runway at the former US Air Base at U-Tapao, Thailand and out into the sea.
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The only reason I have thought so much about this is that my daughter passed several years back. At the time of her death she was still my dependent and as such, also qualified for burial in a National Cemetery. She is buried at Washington's Crossing National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. This is a rather new cemetery and is absolutely beautiful. I was also able to reserve the plot directly next to my daughters marker for myself and will be one day, be interred next to her.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SFC (Join to see) Sorry for the loss of your daughter and thanks you for the update.
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