VETERAN SERVICES

Veteran Burial Benefits

The VA offers burial benefits to assist in planning and paying for the burial in a VA national cemetery. Not every veteran is eligible, so it is important to check what benefits are available to you.

A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/

Burial in a Veteran Cemetery

Veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in a VA cemetery and other benefits. Below are some basic requirements on eligibility, but it’s important to inquire to be sure: 

• A veteran who was honorably discharged
• A service member 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 died first
• In some cases, the unmarried adult dependent child of a veteran

National and State Veteran Cemeteries

• There are different rules for national and state veteran cemeteries. National cemeteries are those like Fort Snelling, Arlington National Cemetery, Fargo National Cemetery, etc. Minnesota has four State Veteran Cemeteries located in Redwood Falls, Duluth, Preston and Little Falls. 
  

Military Funeral Honors

Military funeral honors include a rifle detail, the playing of taps, and presentation of the flag from the color guard. The flag is typically presented to the deceased’s next of kin. Again, each veteran qualifies for different benefits so we recommend