Losing a loved one who has served their country is something that can allow you to get help for the burial or cremation process. You want to make certain that you know what to expect and that you are certain your loved one is eligible for the benefits you want for them. If that is something that you are wondering about, there are some things that providers of cremation services in Breaux Bridge, LA want you to keep in mind. 

It is important to know who is eligible for the veteran benefits. This can be crucial. A person who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard and who had a general discharge is eligible for these benefits. If the person received a dishonorable one, however, you will want to speak with the VA, since it often means that they are not entitled to benefits. For those who served in the National Guard and died on duty, they may also be eligible. The spouses and dependent children of the person are also entitled to services, and in some instances even the parents of the veteran. Be sure to reach out to the VA if you are not sure. 

 Once you are sure that your loved one is eligible, the next thing to consider is the kind of services that you can expect. Veterans are eligible to be buried at no cost at a national cemetery. Some state cemeteries also offer this option. The gravesite will receive perpetual care, as well as a marker at no cost. Keep in mind that you cannot reserve burial space in advance, so your loved one may not be able to get buried where they wanted. 

It is also important to remember that the benefits do not usually cover the funeral or memorial service. Sometimes, the costs of these can be reimbursed, but that is something that needs to be checked with the VA. They will let you know if it is possible to be reimbursed for the flowers, casket, transportation, and the actual service. This goes case by case, so take the time to speak with experts about this before starting any kind of plans. 

These are some important things you want to remember when getting ready to make arrangements for a loved one who has passed away and who has served their country. There are many benefits that you can expect, and you want to definitely reach out to the VA before making any kind of arrangements. If you have more questions or if you want to get started with planning funerary services, you can reach out to a Breaux Bridge, LA cremation services provider like us. We are here to help you get the exact services you want for your loved one. Stop by one of our locations or call us right now to learn more about what we can offer our clients about this and so much more after the death of a loved one.