The Veterans Administration offers a wide variety of benefits to veterans, reserve members and dependents. There are certain eligibility requirements that must be met before benefits can be awarded. To be eligible you must be a veteran discharged or separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and have completed the required period of service. Members of the armed forces who die on active duty are also eligible, as well as spouses and dependent children of eligible living and deceased veterans, and of current and deceased armed forces members.

Military Honors

“Honoring Those Who Served” is the program responsible for providing dignified military funeral honors to Veterans who have defended our nation. A military funeral honors ceremony consists of an honor detail (two or more uniformed members of the armed forces, with at least one member from the deceased’s branch of service) folding and presenting the United States burial flag, as well as the playing of Taps.

We at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home will work together with all branches of the military to ensure that proper honors are given to your loved one.

Burial Flag

Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home will secure a burial flag from the Veterans Administration. A United States flag is provided to drape the casket or be displayed next to an urn of a deceased veteran. After the funeral service, the flag may be given to the next of kin.

Headstones, Markers and Medallions

The Veterans Administration provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans around the world, as well as for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military cemeteries.

When burial takes place in a national, state veteran or military cemetery, the headstone or marker is ordered through the cemetery, which will place it on the grave. Information regarding style, inscription, shipping and placement can be obtained from the cemetery.

When burial occurs in a private cemetery, the headstone or marker must be applied for from the VA. It is shipped at government expense to the consignee designated on the application. The VA, however, does not pay the cost of placing the headstone or marker on the grave. To apply, you must complete VA form 40-1330. The staff at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home will be happy to help you complete all required forms.

Eligible veterans that passed away on or after November 1^st, 1990 and whose grave is already marked in a private cemetery, may qualify to receive a medallion that may be affixed to a privately purchased headstone.

Presidential Memorial Certificate

The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation’s recognition of the veteran’s service. The veteran’s name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President. Certificates are issued in the name of honorably discharged, deceased veterans. Eligible recipients include next of kin, other relatives and friends. The award of a certificate to one eligible recipient does not preclude certificates to other eligible recipients.

As a part of our service, Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home obtains these Presidential Memorial Certificates for each family of a veteran.

Monetary Benefits and Reimbursements

Service-Connected Death:

The Veteran Administration will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001. The VA will pay up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 10, 2001. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some of all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.

Non Service-Connected Death:

The Veterans Administration will pay up to $749 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2016 (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death), and a $749 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery). For deaths on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance. For deaths on or after April 1, 1988 but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (for Veterans hospitalized by VA at the time of death).

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