Veterans Service
Honoring Those Who Served Our Country
We at Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home are proud to honor the sacrifices made by those who have served our country through their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to protect others.
Many of us take our freedoms for granted. We promise to give families good service and professional help so they can fill out the forms they need to get benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who have died.
VA Burial Benefits and Cemetery Services
The VA burial benefits are meant to help service members, veterans, and their families plan and pay for a burial or memorial service in a VA national cemetery. The Veterans Affairs gives out memorial items to honor the service of people who have served the country.
Veterans, active duty military members, their spouses, and their dependents may be able to be buried in a VA national cemetery and get other benefits if they meet certain requirements. A veteran who didn't get a dishonorable discharge, a service member who died while on active duty or during training, or the spouse or child of a veteran are all usually eligible. Some unmarried adult children of veterans who are still living with them may also be able to get these benefits.
Military Funeral Honors
At a military funeral, "Taps" is played, there is a rifle detail, a color guard, and service members in uniform who properly fold and present the US flag to the family who is grieving. Usually, the deceased's next of kin or a close friend gets these flags.
To get the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must have served in wartime, died while on active duty after May 27, 1941, served after January 31, 1955, or served in peacetime before June 27, 1950 after finishing at least one enlistment. Veterans who served in the Selected Reserves or the military of the Philippines while serving in the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951 also qualify.
Burial Benefits and Headstone Services
The veterans' death benefits help pay for the deceased's burial, funeral, and transportation costs related to their services and burial. Survivors of veterans who are buried in a national cemetery can get help with the costs of the burial and funeral, the plot or interment, and getting the veteran's body to the cemetery.
A veteran who didn't get a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be able to get a headstone or marker. The Department of Veterans Affairs will pay for headstones for unmarked graves of veterans who are eligible.
How to Apply for Veterans Benefits
You have two years from the date of the veteran's burial or cremation to file a claim for a burial allowance that is not service-related. There is no deadline for applying for a burial, plot, or interment allowance that is connected to your service. You can apply online at va.gov or by mail using VA Form 21P-530.
Fill out VA Form 10-1330 and send it to the
Department of Veteran Affairs
5109 Russell Road,
Quantico, VA 22134-3909
ask for a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker.
Let Us Help You Navigate Veterans Benefits
Our staff has a lot of experience with veterans benefits and military funeral procedures. We will help with all the paperwork, work with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and make sure that your loved one gets the military honors they earned while serving our country.
For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit va.gov/burials-memorials or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.
We proudly serve veterans' families throughout Wellsboro, Liberty, Blossburg, Mansfield, and surrounding Tioga County communities with 24-hour availability and compassionate service.
