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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.  

Name of 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):   

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 a policy holder) Notify Armed Forces Services Corporation (formerly AAFMAA); Tel: (888) 237-2872.  If overseas, call collect (703) 528-5444. AFSC will assist family in contacting some of agencies listed below. Some agencies will have to 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.
     
  1. If deceased was insured by any government insurance program, Tel: (800) 419-1473 for VGLI or Tel: (800) 669-8477 for NSLI. Have policy numbers available.

 References for additional, detailed information:

  1.  “TAPS-A Guide to Military-Oriented Burials” published by The Retired Officers Association (TROA) 201 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2539 Tel: (800) 245-8762 ; website http://www.troa.org/
     
  2. “Family Survivor’s Workbook” published by AFSC PO Box 4420, Arlington, VA 22204-0420; Tel (888) 237-2872 or (703) 528-5444; e-mail info@afsc-usa.com; website http://afsc-usa.com/index2.htm  See also the VA website http://www.cem.va.gov/burial.htm for VA benefits available.
     
  3. “Graduate Guide for Members of the Long Gray Line” compiled & edited by Director, Class Support Program, Office of Alumni Support, Association of Graduates, West Point, NY 10996-1611; Tel: (845) 446-1614; e-mail ya8199@usma.edu