Planning ahead

Plan a veteran's funeral ahead of time.

Write down the cemetery, the service and the honors you want, keep the DD214 with the plan, and your family won't have to make those calls in the first few days. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll put you in touch with funeral homes that list veteran services.

Why plan ahead

·Fewer decisions later. Choosing the funeral home, cemetery and type of service now leaves your family less to decide in the days after a death.
·Prices agreed in advance. A pre-need contract with a funeral home can set today's prices for the services it covers. Ask exactly what the contract includes and what happens if you move.
·Honors paperwork ready. Military funeral honors need the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers. Keep a copy with the plan, or leave one with the funeral home.
·Your choice of cemetery. Decide between a VA national cemetery, a state veterans cemetery or a private cemetery without a deadline.
·Wishes in writing. A written plan tells your spouse, children and executor what you want, so they don't have to guess.

VA national cemetery pre-need

A veteran can ask VA now whether they qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery, using VA Form 40-10007. VA calls this a pre-need determination of eligibility and says it can make burial planning easier for the family when the time comes.

Read VA's pre-need page