Veterans FAQs

I thought my veteran could be buried with honors, what happened?

This is an issue many veterans have faced at our funeral homes and others across the country. Of course your veteran can be buried with honors, but for that to happen, you must have your veteran’s DD214. This form is key in requesting military honors.

How do I get a DD214 in time for the service?

Unfortunately, if you recognize you don’t have the form at your veteran’s time of death, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to obtain a DD214 prior to your veteran’s burial.  Still, put in your request as soon as the death occurs because there may be other matters you will have to tend that may require you have your veteran’s DD214. You can request the DD214 at https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/.

How do I get my veteran buried at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery?

All you have to do is let us know that you wish to bury your veteran at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. From there, we will need your veteran’s DD214 and then we will complete and turn in the request on your behalf. Once submitted, the Cemetery is responsible for determining eligibility.

Can my veteran get a free marker on their grave?

Absolutely they can. Your veteran may be eligible for a totally free government marker at any cemetery you lay them to rest. You just need to request it by visiting https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/ where you can also find your veteran’s eligibility for this service.

What is a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and can I get that for my veteran?

The Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved certificate signed by the current president of the United States. Two requirements must be met for your veteran to be eligible for the certificate: 1) your veteran meets eligibility requirements to be buried in the National Cemetery 2) You are the next of kin, family member or close friend of the veteran or reservist. If one or both of these are not met, then your veteran is not eligible for the Presidential Memorial Certificate. As part of our service to our veteran families, we can request the Presidential Memorial Certificate on your behalf – as long as you have your veteran’s DD214. Or, if you prefer, you can apply in person, by mail or fax. Special instructions on how to apply are at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificates/.

What kind of benefits do I get as the spouse or child of a veteran?

As the spouse, dependent, or parent(s) of a veteran, you may be eligible for VA DIC:  VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If your veteran died in the line of duty, or if they died from service-related injuries, you may be eligible for this benefit. You can learn more about the difference in benefits between surviving spouses and children and surviving parents, and how to apply at https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/.

I’m a veteran, but I would like to pre-plan my arrangements. How can I do that?

That’s incredibly brave and forward thinking of you. First, make sure you have your DD214 so that you can have military honors. If you can’t locate your DD214, request it at https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/ as soon as you can. The earlier, the better. Next, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our pre-need specialists. Both Denise and Wendy are well-equipped to provide you the information and resources you need to fully plan and even pre-pay for your funeral. Submit your Funeral Planning Information form using this link https://www.dejohnfuneral.com/funeral-planning-information/ and one of our pre-need specialists will follow up with you to get started.