The following information is furnished to funeral homes by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  It can also be found online at www.vba.va.gov.

VA Burial Flag              VA Headstone or Grave Marker                VA Burial Allowance                Burial in a National Cemetery
Veterans and families in the Locust Grove area are served by the

Muskogee VA Regional Office
125 S. Main Street
Muskogee, OK  74401

VA Burial Flag

WHY DOES VA PROVIDE A BURIAL FLAG?
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her country. Eligibility for Former Members of Selected Reserve were added by Section 571 of Public Law 105-261.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE BURIAL FLAG?
Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national Cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.

HOW DO I APPLY? *
You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 21-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes . You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you.  When burial is in a national, state or post cemetery a burial flag will be provided.

CAN A BURIAL FLAG BE REPLACED?
The law allows us to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen. However, some veterans' organizations or other community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

HOW SHOULD THE BURIAL FLAG BE DISPLAYED?
The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the casket is open or closed. VA Form 21-2008 provides the correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.

For More Information Call Toll-Free at 1-800-827-1000.

* Locust Grove Funeral Home always assists the Veterans' families we serve with completion and submission of this and other VA applications. 

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VA Headstone or Grave Marker

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker to mark the unmarked grave of an eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world.

By law, Government markers are not provided to be used as foot stones and should not be used to double-mark a veteran’s grave. VA relies on the integrity of the applicant to request a Government-provided headstone or marker only if the grave is not, or will not be, marked with a private headstone or marker.

Headstones and markers are provided for eligible spouses and dependents of veterans only when buried in a national, military post/base, or State veterans cemetery. Spouses and dependents buried in a private cemetery are not eligible for a Government-provided headstone or marker.

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze, and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

When burial or memorialization is in a national, post, or state veterans’ cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin.

HOW TO APPLY *
When burial is in a private cemetery, VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans’ Cemetery, must be submitted by the next of kin, funeral director or cemetery representative, along with a copy of the veteran’s military discharge documents, to request a Government-provided headstone or marker. Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned.

VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans’ Cemetery and additional application information may be obtained at any VA national cemetery or regional office by calling 1-800-827-1000.

* Locust Grove Funeral Home always assists the Veterans' families we serve with completion and submission of this and other VA applications. 

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VA Burial Allowance

WHAT IS A VA BURIAL ALLOWANCE?
A VA burial allowance is a partial reimbursement of an eligible veteran's burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death is not service-related, the reimbursement is generally described as two payments: (1) a burial and funeral expense allowance, and (2) a plot interment allowance.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
You may be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:

• you paid for a veteran's burial or funeral AND
  

• you have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran's employer AND

• the veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

• the veteran died because of a service-related disability OR
  

• the veteran was getting VA pension or compensation at the time of death OR
  

• the veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay OR
  

• the veteran died in a VA hospital or while in a nursing home under VA contract

HOW MUCH DOES VA PAY?

Service-related death -- VA will pay up to $1,500 toward burial expenses. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of moving the deceased may be reimbursed.

Nonservice-related death -- VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $150 plot interment allowance. If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under contracted nursing home care, some of all of the costs for transporting the deceased’s remains may be reimbursed.

HOW CAN I APPLY? *
You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Allowance. You should attach proof of the veteran's military service (DD 214), a death certificate, and copies of funeral and burial bills you have paid. Mail the completed form and documents to the nearest VA Regional office.

For More Information Call Toll-Free at 1-800-827-1000.

* Locust Grove Funeral Home always assists the Veterans' families we serve with completion and submission of this and other VA applications. 

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