Howdy rva. I lost my dad on Monday, and I’ve inherited responsibility for his cremation and such. Are there any local charities or organizations that help financially with services for veterans? I’ve heard tell of such things but I don’t know how or where to go about finding them. We’re just doing a cremation, so the price isn’t really crazy but it’s still way more than I can cover alone. He was an Air Force veteran and while everyone else is more worried about what’s going to happen to his stuff, I want to make sure he’s taken care of. Any information on…. Well, anything really.

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RulerOfTheRest t1_jecpdk9 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:25 AM

First off, I'm sorry for your loss.

Hopefully, some others that have navigated the process will be able to jump on here and add some insight, as navigating the Veterans Affairs stuff is, complicated, and when my pop passed away he already had everything in place since he knew his time was limited (Agent Orange) and my mother and brother took the lead with that stuff.

Depending on his status after discharge and his record, he should be eligible for some funeral services through the V.A. https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp

You may also want to post this question in a few of the Veteran Affairs, US Air Force, or other US military based subreddits out there, as they may be better suited to help guide you.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss, and I wish you luck as you navigate the unnecessary bureaucracy that is the VA...

geneb0322 t1_jecp073 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:22 AM

Was he eligible for a veteran's burial allowance? I'd start there. https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/

jmtriolo t1_jedev9x wrote on March 31, 2023 at 5:10 AM

Please dm me. I may have resources for you.

Available-Reward-912 t1_jecuqcs wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:06 AM

I hope you find the information you need. I don't have anything to offer, other than ❤️. Please take care of yourself.

spaceforcefighter t1_jed6zr0 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 3:50 AM

Very sorry for your loss and respect to your father for his service.

Life-Philosopher-221 t1_jeehcdq wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:57 PM

I’m sorry for your loss. I imagine having to sort through this whole grieving your father is incredibly challenging. I agree with many of the posts here about burial benefits. It all depends on your father’s discharge status at the time of retirement. Here are some resources to get start, there are some local and some national. I would start by looking through some of the articles and links first to get an understanding of what is possibly available to you and your family: https://veteransnavigator.org/taxonomy/menu-zones/veteran-burial-benefits

Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sitting here with my father (also retired veteran) on hospice and will have to sort through this in the next couple of months. If you can find your father’s DD214 forms, that would be very helpful because those are his discharge forms.

Sending you peace and healing.

shhimhuntingrabbits t1_jefaf3l wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:18 PM

You may want to post this to r/Norfolk and r/VAbeach as well. I'm just thinking there might be more of a military presence on those subs.

CharlieOnTheMTA t1_jeea5jk wrote on March 31, 2023 at 11:54 AM

Most funeral directors will have all of the necessary info and forms for appying for VA benefits. Unfortunately, even talking to a funeral director can incur a cost ( it is their business model, after all ). The link elsewhere to the VA benefits page is helpful. Also, call the VA and talk to someone, they're generally helpful. The VA burial benefit isn't very much at all, but they will provide a burial plot or internment niche free of charge, as well as a grave marker, if your dad meets the requirements.

I'm sorry for your loss, and hope you can find the answers you need.