Burial Benefits

Service Connect Death

VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.

Non-Service Related Death

The VA will pay up to $796 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2019 (if hospitalized by VA at the time of death), OR $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at the time of death), AND a $796 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery). For deaths on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011. 

Eligibility requirements for burial benefits are available on the VA website.

Military Honors Funeral

Flag

The VA shall furnish one United States flag at no cost to the family of a veteran who served honorably in the U.S. armed forces or for reservists or National Guard members who:

• Completed at least one enlistment or, in the case of an officer, completed the period of initial obligated service, or
• Was discharged before completion of the initial enlistment for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or
• Who died while an active member.

Funeral homes in Central Wisconsin will handle the ordering of the flags. Families of veterans are asked to bring a copy of the DD Form 214 for military members or an NGB Form 22 for former National Guard members. Our office will help obtain the form if you cannot find one at home.

Military Funeral Honors Program

The state of Wisconsin provides military honors for all veterans and guard members who meet legal requirements for the honor. A brochure is available for families interested in the funeral honors program (PDF). The funeral home will handle the arrangements for the family. If the veteran died out of state and had a funeral without honors in that state the Veterans Service Office will be able to help arrange funeral honors.

Veteran's Flag Holder 

The County provides a flag holder to eligible veterans. The holders are standard and made from aluminum. Each year a local Veterans Service Organization will put out flags for Memorial Day to honor our veterans. You may pick one up at the County Veterans Service Office if you need one. Generally, one will be provided to the surviving relative to place at the gravesite when completing the marker request and/or filling out the application for death benefits.