Preparing for the passing of a loved one, or even yourself, can be a difficult and confusing time, especially for military families. One of the ways you can help ease the burden of carrying out your final wishes and ensure your survivors know what benefits and entitlements are available to them is to create a guide for them. Along with typical estate planning — which can include a will, power of attorney, medical directive, and more — your guide should include: 

Military Paperwork 

It’s important your loved ones understand which benefits you’ve earned that they may be entitled to so they can properly file for them when the time comes. When discussing your final wishes with your family, include information about your military service and whether you have any service-connected medical conditions. Ensure they have access to your DD-214, VA Award Letters, and Rating Decisions, which describe each service-connected condition in detail. If you choose to be buried in a VA National Cemetery or Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), your DD-214 will be requested. Additional benefits and entitlements may be available to your survivors if you pass because of or related to a service-connected condition, so it’s important they can easily produce your VA documents.  

Medical Records 

Discuss with your family how to obtain copies of your medical records before and after your passing in case they are needed in the future. It’s recommended that you complete and submit VA Form 21-0845, which gives a designated person(s) authorization to access your VA records. Though it may be difficult to think about, having access to this paperwork is essential in the event that you become incapacitated or pass away. If the worst occurs, your next of kin will need access to your VA hospital and military medical records to file for additional benefits such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).  

Marriage and Divorce Paperwork 

Prepare copies of all marriage and divorce records. These documents may be needed to provide proof that your former spouse is not eligible to receive military benefits and entitlements, including a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Even if the divorce occurred before you retired, benefits and entitlements could be awarded to your former spouse. If your death is determined to be service connected, it must be documented that you were no longer married to a previous spouse(s) so that your current spouse can receive VA survivor benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).   

Final Wishes 

Determine whether you would like to be buried or cremated and discuss your final wishes regarding your remains. Assign a trusted individual to handle your remains by obtaining an Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains form through a legal assistance office, which can be found on most military installations.   

Veterans, servicemembers, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for burial in VA National or State Cemeteries.  For more information, see Eligibility For Burial In A VA National Cemetery. If you want to be buried in a Veteran’s State or National Cemetery, consider applying ahead of time by submitting VA Form 40-10007. To search for space availability in a VA National Cemetery, visit the VA’s website and click on “Find a Cemetery.”   

If you want to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, visit the Funeral FAQ page to determine your eligibility and learn how to prepare your loved ones for your funeral service. No matter your wishes, your loved ones should request enough certified copies of your death certificate from the funeral home to handle your final affairs, as they will need to be sent to several different agencies.   

Armed Forces Mutual Membership Can Help 

We know that making these decisions can be uncomfortable, but making certain arrangements now can give you and your family peace of mind, both now and when they are ultimately needed. You can gain an extra level of peace of mind through Armed Forces Mutual, which offers a wide variety of life insurance options available for servicemembers, Veterans, and their families. Contact an Armed Forces Mutual Membership Coordinator for more information and to find options to cover final expenses and ensure financial stability for your family.  

For more information about military and government benefits and entitlements, download our free Military Survivor Pre-Planning Checklist. To prepare your survivors for your passing, contact an Armed Forces Mutual Member Benefits Coordinator at 800-522-5221 or email [email protected].