4.1 Funeral Paperwork and Benefits

Social Security Forms

1. Form SSA - 721 is completed by the Funeral Director 2. Once you have completed the statement of death by the Funeral Director, the Social Security office will send an application to the family member to apply for the benefit. 3. Lump Sum Death Benefit is $255. 4. Though the Social Security Administration determines who receives the benefit, to be eligible, the following requirements must be met: 5. Funeral Home may not apply for the benefit 6. The family must complete the application within 2 years of the date of death

What is the current amount of the service connected burial allowance from the Veteran's Administration?

$ 2000

What is the current amount of the Social Security lump sum death benefit?

$225

The number on the veteran's papers that are known as separation (discharge) papers

DD 214 form

Another name for a burial transit permit

Disposition permit

Presidential Memorial Certificate

May be requested if the deceased is eligible for a flag, a certificate of gratitude signed by the current president, apply for it through the VA

What form is used to apply for a government marker from the veteran's administration?

VA Form 40-1330

What is the form VA-530 used for?

burial benefits

The term for a legal document containing vital statistics, disposition information, and final medical information pertaining to cause of death.

death certificate

purpose of the death certificate

show cause and manner of death • Legal permanent record of death • Permanent statistical record • Used to settle affairs

cause

what did they die from?

Veterans Administration Forms

• Application for Burial Flag, VA 27-2008 • Application for Burial Benefits, VA 21P-530 • Application of Government Headstone, VA 40-1330 • Application for Government Medallion, VA 40-1330M • Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate, VA 40-0247

Arlington National Cemetery

• Different eligibility requirements/restrictions - most strict • Above ground interment vs. Below ground interment

Burial in National/State Veterans Cemetery

• No cost for veteran • Grave Space • Headstone • Grave liner for casketed remains • Opening/Closing of grave space

Recipients

• Surviving spouse or other legal union • Children (according to age) • Parent(s) • Siblings (according to age) • Extended family • Friend • If no one receives the flag, return to VA • Must be received prior to the use of the flag • No stock piling of flags

Application For burial Flag ~ VA 27-2008

• VA 2008 • One flag • Veterans Administration Office or Local Post Office

If a veteran died today, what is the current amount of the plot allowance they could be eligible for?

$ 796

Plot/Interment

$796 if death was after 10/1/2019 and not interred in a national/state veterans cemetery

List the benefits a veteran may be entitled to from VA?

-Headstones, markers, and medallions -Burial flag -Presidential Memorial Certificate -covering the costs of plots and internment -covering transportation costs

Veterans Forms / Benefits

-Veterans Administration Page website where all veterans forms may be located -DD-214 is the separation papers or discharge papers the funeral home needs to obtain from the family and copy for the Veteran's Forms.

Application for Government Headstone ~ VA 40-1330

-marker types -inscriptions -application process

What are the four purposes of a death certificate?

-show cause and manner of death • Legal permanent record of death • Permanent statistical record • Used to settle affairs

burial transit purpose

1. Allows the Funeral Director to transport deceased and to perform disposition 2. Sometimes referred to as a Disposition Permit 3. Should be completed on ALL cases handled by the funeral home

Though the Social Security Administration determines who receives the benefit, to be eligible, the following requirements must be met:

1. Deceased contributed to social security 2. Surviving spouse or entitled child submit application' 3. Entitled child is a dependent child in the same household

Three parts of the Burial Transit Permit

1. Decedent Information 2. Burial Information 3. Issuance Information

Should be completed on ALL cases handled by the funeral home

1. Funeral homes should present the sexton of the cemetery with a copy 2. Funeral homes should give a copy to the family if the family is taking possession of the body, whether full body for private residential burial or for cremation 3. Funeral home should retain a copy for record keeping

Other Tasks to complete following the Arrangement Conference which may include the following forms:

1. Prepare Death Notice and/or Obituary 2. Complete Social Security Form 3. Complete Veteran Forms 4. Complete Death Certificate 5. Complete Burial/Transit Permit

Purpose of the death certificate

1. Show cause and manner of death 2. Legal permanent record of the death 3. Permanent statistical record of the deceased 4. Used to settle estate / legal affairs

Burial in a National Cemetery

1. The grave space is free, as is opening and closing of the grave. 2. If a veteran is buried in a national cemetery, the family will not receive the plot allowance listed above. 3. If buried in a National Cemetery, they will usually determine the type of government marker, though the family may choose the insignia on the marker

VA forms to complete

1. VA 21P-530 (VA 530) 2. VA 27-2008 (VA 2008) 3. VA 40-1330 (VA 1330) 4. VA 40-0247 (VA 0247)

Parts of a Death Certificate

1. Vital statistics including name, parents, date of birth and death, etc. 2. Disposition information which is usually signed by the funeral director 3. Embalmer's section exists in some states (i.e. Missouri DC) 4. Certifier's section including cause of death and physician's signature 5. Registrar's information - usually a signature area

What is the current amount of the Veteran's Administration burial allowance for a death that is not service connected?

300

VA 27-2008 (VA 2008)

Application for Burial Flag -The application can be turned in to a VA office or to a US post office to obtain a burial flag prior to burial.

VA 40-1330 (VA 1330)

Application for Marker -In the past this was only available to veterans who had no other marker on the burial space, now it is available to all veterans -A family may select a medallion to attach to a privately purchased marker instead, this application is VA 40-1330M (VA 1330M) -A copy of the DD-214 must accompany the application

VA 40-0247 (VA 0247)

Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate -This is was certificate signed by the President of the United States recognizing the veteran's military service. -A copy of the DD-214 must accompany the application.

For what purposes are certified copies of the death certificate used?

Certified copies are needed for the following: a) To transfer money in bank accounts b) To collect from a life insurance policy c) To change a title/deed, such as to a house or car d) To get into a safety deposit box

marker types

Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite, upright marble, bronze niche plate

It is extremely important to note that annually on:

October 1 st the Veterans Administration may adjust the monetary amount for burial benefits to reflect inflation.

What is the form SSA-721?

Statement of Death by Funeral Director

transportation fees:

Transportation fees from VA hospital if the veteran died in that hospital to VA National Cemetery or other cemetery may be paid

inscriptions

Veteran's Name, Rank, Branch, Awards Earned, Conflict, DoB, DoD, Inscription (if room), Emblem • Awards earned only are: Medal of Honor, Distinct Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart

veterans burial benefits

a) $2000 service connected death after September 11, 2001 (1) Service connected does not necessarily mean in a battle. For veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, they may be eligible if the family can demonstrate that the death was connected to the Agent Orange exposure in the conflict. b) $300 burial expense for funeral and burial if not service connected and the deceased did not die in a VA hospital. c) $762 burial expense for funeral and burial if not service connected and the deceased died in a VA hospital. d) $762 plot allowance (cemetery expenses) if not buried in a national cemetery.

issuance info

a) Permit issued to refers to the person who is taking possession of the body or cremated remains (1) Sexton of the funeral home (2) Family member collecting the cremated remains from the funeral home b) Permit issued by refers to funeral director of the funeral home who is completing the burial transit permit information

What is the veteran's form VA 2008 used for?

application for burial flag

If a veteran is buried in a national cemetery, what is the amount of plot allowance to which they are entitled?

available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family

By when must the family apply for the Social Security lump sum death benefit in order to receive it?

two years from the death date

manner

what was it classified as? • Natural, Accident, Homicide, Suicide, Pending Investigation, Could not be Determined

Multi-step process

• Applicant to sign • Business to accept delivery of marker to sign • Cemetery representative to sign that marker is accepted at cemetery • Monument company to set marker or private cemetery will set

veterans administration forms

• DD-214 since 1950 • Capstone document verifying service member's time in military • Air National Guard or Army National Guard utilize the NGB-22 (National Guard Bureau) • Must not be dishonorably discharged or convicted of any Federal or State capital crime or any sexual crime conviction

Transportation

• Only applies if death occurred in a VA supported facility and is interred in a VA cemetery • Off GPL • Transfer of Remains • Use of Casket Coach

the death certificate parts

• Parts to a death certificate • Vital statistics information* • Disposition* • Burial, Cremation, Donation, Entombment, Removal from State, Other (Specify) • Certifier's section • Cause and Manner of Death • Date and Time of Death • Signature • Registrar's information

Cremation Authorization

• Permission from the family for the cremation • Must never be verbal

embalming authorization

• Permission from the family to proceed with the embalming process • Mutilation • Can be verbal but must be written for record retention

Funeral/Burial

• Service Related • $1500 if death was prior to 9/11/2001 • $2000 if death was after 9/11/2001 • Non-Service Related • $300 if death was after 10/1/2019 OR • $796 if death was after 10/1/2019 and veteran died in a VA supported facility

social security

• Social Security Administration Form 721 • SSA-721 • One-time lump sum benefit of $255 • Eligibility determined by Social Security but here are some basic guidelines • Decedent had to contribute to social security through employment • Recipients • Surviving spouse • Dependent child in the same household • Must be completed within two years from date of death

What relative(s) is generally entitled to receive the lump sum death benefit from Social Security?

• Surviving spouse • Dependent child in the same household

Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate ~ VA 40-0247

• VA 0247 • Certificate signed by current U.S. President • Acknowledges military service • Multiple copies • Least known veteran benefit performed by the funeral home

Application for Government Medallion ~ VA 40-1330M

• VA 1330M • For those veterans who have a privately purchased marker • Bronze folded flag with wording "Veteran" and branch of service • 3 sizes • 2" x 1.5" • 3" x 2" • 6" x 4"

Application For Burial Benefits ~ VA 21P-530

• VA 530 • Two years from the date of burial to apply • Allowances for funeral/burial, plot/interment, and transportation • Reset annually on October 1st based on Consumer Price Index

burial transmit permit

• a.k.a. Disposition Permit • Allows for transportation of deceased to cross state lines • According to Iowa Law, a death certificate must be filed prior to the burial transit permit • Required for a family to move the decedent themselves • "Chain of Custody" form

veterans burial flag

In the past, this had to be returned if there was no immediate family members. Currently, a friend can receive the flag also

government headstone

In the past, this was only for unmarked graves, currently, all veterans are entitled even if they have a headstone already on the grave

VA 21P-530 (VA 530)

Include the following information with the application (1) Certified copy of the death certificate (2) Copy of the DD-214 (3) Itemized funeral expenses -The benefit will be determined by whether there was a service related death or not