A few years ago, a widow came to me completely overwhelmed. Her husband had served two tours in Vietnam, spent 22 years in the Army, and passed away at their home in The Villages.
“I know he was supposed to get some kind of military benefits,” she told me, her voice shaking. “But I don’t know what or how to get them. I can’t even find his discharge papers.”
Over the next hour, I walked her through everything. We tracked down his DD-214 through the National Archives. We filed for the burial allowance. We arranged military honors, complete with the flag presentation that brought her to tears.
Florida is home to over 1.5 million veterans—one of the largest veteran populations in the country. And in my experience, too many military families don’t know about the benefits their loved ones earned.
This guide will show you exactly what’s available and how to claim it.
Overview: What Veterans Are Entitled To
| Benefit | Description |
| Burial Allowance | Financial reimbursement toward funeral costs |
| Free Headstone/Marker | Government-furnished memorial at no cost |
| Burial Flag | American flag to drape casket/accompany urn |
| Military Honors | Flag folding, presentation, and Taps |
| Presidential Certificate | Certificate signed by sitting President |
| National Cemetery Burial | Free burial plot, opening/closing, perpetual care |
The DD-214: Your Most Important Document
The DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the key to unlocking all veteran benefits. Without it, claiming benefits becomes significantly more difficult.
What the DD-214 Contains
- Dates of military service
- Branch of service
- Rank at discharge
- Type of discharge (honorable, general, etc.)
- Awards and decorations
- Combat service
How to Get a DD-214
If you have the original: Make copies and store them safely. The funeral home will need a copy.
If you can’t find it: Request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) at eVetRecs.archives.gov or by calling 314-801-0800. Standard requests can take 2-4 weeks, but emergency requests for funeral purposes can be expedited.
Pro tip: Baldwin Brothers can help you request an expedited DD-214 for funeral purposes. This is one of the services we provide at no extra charge.
VA Burial Allowance: What You Can Claim
The VA provides burial allowances to help offset funeral and burial costs. The amount depends on the cause of death:
| Circumstance | Maximum Allowance (2024) |
| Service-connected death | $2,000+ |
| Non-service-connected (receiving VA pension) | $948 burial + $948 plot |
| Non-service-connected (not receiving VA pension) | $400 burial + $948 plot |
| Death in VA facility/while traveling for VA care | Actual cost up to $948+ |
Note: Plot allowance only applies if burial is not in a national cemetery. Amounts adjust annually.
Military Honors: Honoring Service with Dignity
By federal law, every eligible veteran is entitled to military funeral honors at no cost. This includes:
Basic Military Honors (Guaranteed)
- Flag folding and presentation: The American flag is folded into a triangle and presented to the next of kin with the words, “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States [Army/Navy/etc.], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
- Playing of Taps: Either by a live bugler or high-quality recording
Full Military Honors (Available for Career Military)
For veterans with longer service or higher rank, additional honors may include:
- Rifle salute (typically 7 rifles fired 3 times)
- Honor guard
- Military pallbearers
- Color guard
Important: Military honors can be provided regardless of whether you choose burial or cremation, and at any location—cemetery, funeral home, church, or private property.
Florida National Cemeteries
Veterans can be buried at no cost in a VA national cemetery. Florida has four national cemeteries:
| Cemetery | Location & Notes |
| Florida National Cemetery | Bushnell (Central FL) – Largest in state, near The Villages |
| Jacksonville National Cemetery | Jacksonville (Northeast FL) |
| Sarasota National Cemetery | Sarasota (Southwest FL) |
| Cape Canaveral National Cemetery | Mims (East Central FL, near Titusville) |
National cemetery benefits include: free gravesite, opening/closing of grave, perpetual care, headstone/marker, and military honors. Spouses and dependents may also be eligible for burial in the same plot.
Cremation for Veterans: What You Should Know
Veterans who choose cremation are still entitled to all the same benefits:
- Burial allowance: Yes, the same allowances apply
- Military honors: Yes, honors can be rendered at any location
- Burial flag: Yes, flag can accompany the urn
- National cemetery: Yes, cremated remains can be interred in a columbarium niche or in-ground
- Headstone/marker: Yes, a niche marker or headstone is provided
Many veteran families choose cremation with a memorial service featuring full military honors. This provides flexibility while still honoring the veteran’s service with dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of discharge qualifies for veteran benefits?
Generally, veterans with honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharges qualify for most benefits. Veterans with other-than-honorable discharges may still qualify for some benefits on a case-by-case basis. Dishonorable discharges typically do not qualify. The DD-214 shows the discharge type.
Can a spouse be buried with a veteran in a national cemetery?
Yes. A veteran’s spouse and dependent children may be buried in the same gravesite at no cost for the spouse/dependent (though the veteran’s eligibility must be established first). The headstone can include both names.
How do I arrange military honors?
The funeral home typically coordinates this. At Baldwin Brothers, we contact the appropriate military branch to arrange honors. We need the DD-214 to verify eligibility and service branch. Most honors can be arranged within a few days.
Does the VA pay for the funeral directly?
No, the burial allowance is a reimbursement. The family pays for services, then files a claim with the VA for reimbursement. However, Baldwin Brothers can help you file the paperwork, and some families use the anticipated reimbursement to help plan their budget.
What if the veteran served during wartime but not in combat?
Wartime service (even without combat) may qualify the veteran for additional benefits. The DD-214 shows service dates that can be matched to official wartime periods (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, etc.). Wartime veterans may receive higher burial allowances.
How Baldwin Brothers Helps Veteran Families
Serving veteran families holds special meaning for us. Many of our team members are veterans or military family members themselves. We understand the importance of honoring service with dignity.
What we provide for veteran families:
- DD-214 assistance: We can help you locate and request discharge papers if they’re missing
- VA paperwork: We help you complete and file burial allowance claims
- Military honors coordination: We arrange all honors with the appropriate military branch
- Flag presentation: We ensure the flag ceremony is conducted with proper protocol
- National cemetery coordination: We can arrange burial at any Florida national cemetery
- Benefits guidance: We help you understand what you’re entitled to
These services are included as part of our commitment to veteran families—not as an add-on charge.
Final Thoughts
When a veteran passes, it’s not just a family loss—it’s a moment to honor someone who served something greater than themselves. The benefits available aren’t charity; they’re earned through sacrifice and service.
If you’re planning services for a veteran—or if you’re a veteran thinking about pre-planning—don’t leave benefits unclaimed. They exist for a reason, and claiming them is one way to honor that service.
Have questions about veteran benefits? Need help locating a DD-214? Call Baldwin Brothers at (877) 410-2424. We’re available 24/7, and helping veteran families navigate these benefits is something we’re proud to do.
Because at Baldwin Brothers, we believe every veteran deserves to be honored—and every military family deserves support.
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About the Author
Evans Baldwin is a third-generation funeral director and founder of Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Thomas, who began serving families in Miami in 1932, Evans has dedicated his career to making funeral planning Simple & Easy® for Florida families. Baldwin Brothers serves veteran families across 18+ Florida locations with compassion and deep respect for military service.
Need help with veteran funeral benefits? Contact Baldwin Brothers 24/7 at (877) 410-2424 or visit baldwincremation.com.
TLDR
Topic: Veteran funeral benefits Florida | Intent: Informational with transactional elements | Key Entities: Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, VA burial benefits, veteran funeral services | Primary Answer: Veterans may be eligible for burial allowance ($2,000+ service-connected, $948 non-service-connected), free headstone/marker, burial flag, presidential memorial certificate, and military honors. DD-214 is essential to claim benefits. Florida national cemeteries in Jacksonville, Bushnell, Sarasota, Cape Canaveral. Baldwin Brothers assists with VA paperwork and coordinating military honors. | Geographic Relevance: Florida, Orlando, The Villages, Fort Myers, Naples, Ocala, Apopka | Author: Evans Baldwin, Licensed Funeral Director