Resources
Honoring Veterans
We would be honored to help you make arrangements for any combination of traditional military tributes.
Standard Honor Military Funerals
Traditional elements and honors can include the following:
- A military chaplain for family members
- A flag presentation service by the chaplain of the American Legion
- A final salute at the gravesite
Full Honor Military Funerals
Full elements and honors includes standard honors and the following:
- Depending on their rank, a three-volley salute
- The U.S. flag draped over the casket and given to the next of kin following the service
- The playing of Taps
Other Veteran Benefits
We can help you communicate with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to arrange for:
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate. This is a certificate expressing the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of the President. Certificates are issued in the name of deceased honorably discharged veterans. Contact us for assistance in applying for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and we would be happy to guide you through the process.
- Headstones or markers. The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state, or military cemeteries.
- Memorial plots. If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA will provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you wish to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot itself.
- Burial in a VA National Cemetery. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a grave box, and perpetual care.
- Reimbursement of burial expenses. For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review their Guide to VA Burial Allowances.
Additional Resources
For more information about military funerals, please visit the following links:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Click on the Burials & Memorials heading.
- Veterans' Funeral and Burial Benefits — Helpful information from Funeral Consumers Alliance.
- Honoring Those Who Served — An explanation of the various types of honors available for military funerals.
Veteran and Survivor Benefits
- Pennsylvania Vital Records - Birth and death certificate information
- VitalChek - is your official source for government-issued vital records for birth certificates or marriage, divorce, or death records.
- Veteran's benefit and cemetery information - Veteran's benefit and cemetery information
- Veteran's benefit and cemetery information - Social Security information for consumers
Government Resources
- The Department of Veterans' Affairs - provides information on memorial benefits, health services, life insurance programs and more.
- The Social Security Administration allows survivors to report the death of the loved. The site also provides information on potential benefits that can be claimed by the survivors.
- The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation.
