VA Memorial Benefits for U.S. Veterans
AM Cremation & Funeral Care is proud to serve the men and women who have sacrificed to defend our country. We understand that navigating VA benefits during a time of loss can feel overwhelming, and we are here to help your family every step of the way — from understanding what the VA provides to coordinating national cemetery scheduling and military honors on your behalf.
If you are ready to make arrangements for a veteran, our Veteran Cremation Packages are designed to handle the details so your family can focus on honoring their service and memory.
How to Apply for VA Memorial Benefits
In the event of a veteran's death, family members should locate and gather the DD-214 or other discharge papers as early as possible — these are required to access most VA memorial benefits. After the paperwork is gathered, the family should make arrangements with a licensed funeral home, who can assist in coordinating directly with a VA national cemetery.
At the time of need, families can fax the DD-214 or other discharge papers to 1-866-900-6417 and follow up with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117. When you arrange services with AM Cremation & Funeral Care, we assist your family with this process as part of both of our Veteran Cremation Packages.
If a death has just occurred and you need immediate guidance on next steps, see our guide: What to Do When Someone Dies at Home in Florida →
VA Memorial Benefits Available to Eligible Veterans
The VA is committed to paying lasting tribute to veterans who served and sacrificed. The VA currently maintains 131 national cemeteries across 30 states and continues to add new sites to ensure burial options are available within approximately one hour's drive of a veteran's home.
The following burial services may be provided to eligible veterans and their loved ones:
Burial in a VA national cemetery
Opening and closing of the grave, burial of cremated remains, or placement in an above-ground vault (columbarium)
Perpetual care of the gravesite
Ordering and inscription of a government-furnished headstone or marker
Provision of a burial flag
Award of a Presidential Memorial Certificate
Performance of a committal service with military honors
Eligible veterans may also receive headstones, markers, or medallions for placement in private cemeteries worldwide. Some veterans may qualify for VA burial allowances or benefits for private cemetery burials that include a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
For families considering options beyond national cemetery interment — such as keeping cremated remains at home, scattering at sea, or dividing remains among family members — see our guide: What to Do With Ashes After Cremation: 10 Meaningful Options →
Please note that VA gravesites cannot be reserved in advance.
For complete information on VA memorial benefits, visit the VA's national cemetery website at cem.va.gov.
National Cemeteries Serving Southwest Florida
We coordinate delivery of cremated remains and national cemetery scheduling for the following locations:
Sarasota National Cemetery — Sarasota, FL (included in both Veteran Cremation Packages)
Bay Pines National Cemetery — St. Petersburg, FL (included in both Veteran Cremation Packages)
Florida National Cemetery — Bushnell, FL (available for an additional $450)
For veteran families who prefer a meaningful tribute on the water rather than cemetery interment, we also offer an unattended scattering at sea service performed by a licensed funeral director. Scattering Ashes in Florida: Rules, Locations & How We Help →
How We Help Veteran Families
We do more than just perform the cremation — we manage the coordination that veteran families often find most difficult to navigate on their own. As part of our Veteran Cremation Packages, we:
Coordinate with the Veterans National Scheduling Office for interment at the national cemetery of your choice
Arrange courier delivery of cremated remains to Sarasota National Cemetery or Bay Pines National Cemetery
Assist in obtaining military honors for the committal service
Our Veteran Simple Cremation Package starts at $1,145 and our Veteran Premium Cremation Package starts at $1,495 — both include full VA coordination at no additional charge. View full package details and inclusions →
If you would like to pre-plan cremation services for yourself or a veteran family member, we also offer pre-need arrangements that lock in today's pricing. Learn more about pre-planning →
Questions? We're Here to Help.
Our staff is available to answer any questions about veteran benefits, national cemetery coordination, or what to expect during the arrangement process.
Call (941) 212-1093 ext. 1 for immediate assistance. Toll free: 1-800-516-2188
View Veteran Cremation Packages → | Make Arrangements → | Frequently Asked Questions →
