Funeral Benefit Information

Veterans Benefits Social Security Benefits SRS Benefits

Veterans Benefits

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provides benefits to eligible veterans at the time of the veteran's death (or the death of a spouse of a veteran). If a person served in the military and received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions, the benefits listed below are currently granted to the deceased veteran. The funeral home may assist the family by applying for the veteran's benefits; the family of the deceased veteran needs only to provide a copy of the veterans DD-214 for verification purposes.

An American Flag is issued in the name of the veteran to be presented to the surviving spouse or family member.
If the veteran was a retired member of the armed forces, full military honors will be provided. This is coordinated between the funeral home and branch of service from which the veteran was retired.
If a veteran did not retire from the military, a flag team will be requested by the funeral home through the branch of the military, which the veteran served to provide a flag team for honors. This includes the playing of taps at the grave and flag folding by the military.
Every qualified veteran has the right to be buried in a National Cemetery and a space reserved for his spouse or a dependent child. A grave liner will be provided to the veteran for burial as well as the spouse of a qualified veteran. A grave marker will be provided by the National Cemetery, all of these entitlements are provided at no cost to the veteran or family.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will provide a grave marker for the deceased veteran, either bronze (flat), gray granite (flat) or an upright marble stone at no cost to the family. If the burial is in a private cemetery, there may be a fee associated with the setting of the stone at the grave site. This can be accomplished through the cemetery officials and the family.
If a veteran dies at a Veterans Hospital the transportation from the hospital to the funeral home, and to the cemetery are usually a cost that when applied for will be reimbursed by the Veterans Administration.
If a veteran is suffering from a service connected disability and was receiving payments from the Veterans Administration through his or her lifetime, more funds may be available. Application will be made to the Veterans Administration and the case will be determined by the degree of disability and a death benefit could be issued to the veterans family.

You can learn more about Federal Veteran's benefits from this PDF document provided the Veterans Affairs

Social Security Benefits

The funeral home is required to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) upon the death of any individual who has been issued a social security number. The most common benefit is a monetary sum of $255.00 paid to the surviving spouse of a person who qualified by paying in to the SSA through employment. This benefit is not paid when there is no surviving spouse of the decedent. If any further SSA benefits are due, SSA provides these benefits to the survivors (such as dependent children) following notification of the decedent's death.

SRS Benefits

Currently the State of Kansas through Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) provides for burial benefits to individuals who have qualified for assistance at the time of their death. The benefits are limited in that the funeral home receives $550.00 towards expenses from SRS and the family is required to make up the difference of the total cost of funeral expenses incurred at the funeral home. The total combined payment to the funeral home may not exceed $2000.00 including the $550.00 payment made by SRS. In order for the SRS to grant benefits the individual must have been pre-qualified or already have been receiving benefits. Any costs incurred at a cemetery or crematory are not subject to these restrictions. These restrictions only apply to costs incurred at the funeral home.