04/15/2026
10 Essential Steps After the Death of a Veteran
1. Secure Certified Death Certificates
Timeline: Within the first week.
Action: Obtain multiple certified copies (usually 10+) from the local vital records office or health department.
Note: You will need these for the VA, Social Security, banks, and life insurance. Keep them secure and only provide them to official entities.
2. Locate the DD-214 (Discharge Papers)
Timeline: Immediately.
Action: Find the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214). This is the "golden ticket" for verifying service and unlocking burial benefits and honors.
Pro Tip: Also gather medical records and financial documents. Create digital backups of everything.
3. Coordinate with a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO)
Timeline: Immediately.
Action: Contact a CAO or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). They act as your expert guide for navigating pay, allowances, and tax exclusions.
Resources: * Military OneSource Casualty Assistance
VA Survivor Compensation (DIC)
4. Claim Veteran and Social Security Benefits
Action: Work with your CAO or the VA to apply for:
DIC: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
VA Survivors Pension and burial benefits.
CHAMPVA healthcare.
Social Security: Contact the SSA to claim survivor benefits and the one-time death benefit.
Links: VA Survivors Site | SSA Survivors Site
5. Arrange Burial and Military Honors
Action: Decide between a private cemetery or a National Cemetery (like Arlington).
Military Honors: Your funeral home or CAO will help coordinate the Honor Guard for a flag presentation and the playing of Taps.
6. Manage Legal and Financial Matters
The Will: Have the executor review the will and consult an attorney if probate is required.
Notifications: Notify banks, credit bureaus, and insurance companies to prevent identity theft and update beneficiaries.
Digital Assets: Secure logins for email, social media, and banking. Follow platform-specific procedures for memorializing or closing accounts.
7. Notify Veteran Organizations
Action: Inform organizations your loved one belonged to (e.g., VFW, American Legion).
Support: These groups often provide local honor guards, grief support, or specific memorial rituals.
8. Address Out-of-State Logistics
Action: If the death occurred away from home, coordinate between the vital records office in the state of death and the CAO in the state of burial. Paperwork requirements vary by jurisdiction.
9. Prioritize Your Well-being
Action: Grief is heavy; don't carry it alone.
Support Systems:
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): Specialized for military families.
VA Bereavement Counseling: Available to families of Veterans who died in active duty or from service-connected disabilities.
10. Honor Their Legacy
Action: Beyond the paperwork, focus on preservation. Record stories, archive photos, and create a tribute that reflects their service and character.
