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Essential Elements of Information (EEI) for Military Veterans and Next-of-Kin  

Purpose: To provide EEI to surviving spouses and/or next-of-kin of military personnel with regard to funeral/interment and cremation/inurnment arrangements. It is designed to spare the surviving spouse and family unnecessary anxiety and guide them through those first few difficult days.    

Format:  This is a “self-help” document for the deceased’s family with initial and near term steps described. You are urged to fill in the blanks provided on this form with the names and telephone numbers, as appropriate for your location. 

Disposition: File in a safe place with your important papers after discussion with spouse and/or next-of-kin. 

 In Case of Death

Immediate Notifications:  

1.  It is the family’s responsibility to make initial arrangements with their local funeral home. The funeral director will assist the family in choosing and in making arrangements for the desired funeral/interment and cremation/inurnment. This is the first, and most important, step. A copy of the military spouse’s DD 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) is required for burial in a military cemetery. Have it available when you contact the funeral director.  

Funeral Home_____________________________ Tel: ___________
 

 2.  Eligible veterans and spouses may choose burial/inurnment in a military cemetery. Your funeral director will make all the arrangements for you with the cemetery of your choice. (The points of contact are as follows):   

·         Arlington National Cemetery Funeral Arrangements and Eligibility Requirements: 1-877-907-8585 (Toll Free) or (703) 607-8585 (Local)

·         West Point-Memorial Affairs Officer (845) 938-2504

·         Veterans Affairs National Cemetery System (800) 535-1117

Your local funeral director will assist you in making all arrangements for transportation of the deceased to a funeral home in the vicinity of the chosen military cemetery. These arrangements may include chapel & gravesite services, military honors, and procurement of a VA provided burial flag. Cremation and inurnment of the deceased individual in one of the above cemeteries, if available, may also be arranged by your funeral director in coordination with the cemetery personnel.  
 

Near term notifications:  

  1. (If an AAFMAA policy holder) Notify AAFMAA (800-336-4538) or (888-707-3850) to initiate Survivor Assistance Services and assist family in contacting some of the agencies listed below. Some agencies must be contacted by the surviving spouse directly.
     
  1. (If retired military) Notify Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Center. This call will generate Survivor Benefit Plan annuity application process and application for arrears in pay. Army, Air Force: (800) 321-1080 or (216) 522-5955.
     
  1. (If retired or separated military & death possibly due to service-connected cause) Contact nearest Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office Tel:  (800) 827-1000. This call initiates application for VA benefits, i.e., burial benefits,  Application for headstone, and Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) (if eligible)

 

  1. (If retired military) Notify the nearest military installation’s Retirement Services Office or Casualty Office.

 

      Installation__________________________ Tel: ________________  

 

  1. Notify the Social Security Administration. Survivor benefits may be available. Tel: (800) 772-1213 
     
  1. Notify all commercial life insurance companies. Have policy numbers available.
     

      7   If deceased was insured by any government insurance program, (800)   419-1473 for VGLI or (800) 669-8477 for NSLI. Have policy numbers available.                            

References for additional, detailed information:

  1. Arlington National Cemetery

         http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/funeral_information/index.html                                                                                                                           (Eligibility & Scheduling a Burial)

  1. VA Cemeteries Administration   

    http://www.cem.va.gov/bbene_burial.asp  (Veterans Burial Benefits) 

  1. “Graduate Guide for Members of the Long Gray Line”

        http://www.westpointaog.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=2095