U.S. Navy free burial at sea program
One of the pleasures of blogging is getting to meet online friends in real life.
Reader Larisa was visiting my area this weekend, and, I really enjoyed meeting her! She and her friends were very glad I didn’t turn out to be an ax murderer.
Nope, no ax, screwdriver or nothing. I am, though, $50 lighter since we met at a mall, and, I accidentally bought stuff on my way out after we visited.
Anyway, we talked about lots of things, and, she pointed out something I didn’t know.
The United States Navy has a free burial at sea program for veterans of any uniformed branch of the military
Not that we didn’t talk about other things (We did, really! This was a brief topic.), but, it’s handy information to have if you have a parent or other relative who might like to consider this option upon their death.
There are other United States (sorry, I have no experience with other countries) military death benefits available such as a free grave headstone or marker, but, these and many other things related to the death of a veteran require a DD-214 (if discharged).
If your mother or father is a veteran of the United States military, and, you may one day be involved with their death, burial and estate, right now, go ask them if they have a copy of of their DD-214, and, find out where they keep it. You’ll need it someday.
Tags: DD-214, free grave markers for military, Navy Burial at Sea programRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Planning
3 opinions for U.S. Navy free burial at sea program
Larisa
Feb 24, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Thanks for the mention!! It was great to meet you in real life, and you werent even creepy or anything. Sorry about the $50. I wish I only spent that much!!
Claudia @ NJ Baby Boomer
Feb 24, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Great advise at this blog, and welcome to Bev’s Baby Boomer Diva group.
My father was buried with military honors a bit over 2 years ago for being in the Korean War…and when they placed his permanent grave marker, they put the wrong war on it, WWII. We asked to have it changed, and were told that in hindsight since he was in Korea before the fighting started as an “occupier” and then discharged for health reasons, he should have never been honored in the first place. hrumph. I don’t care what “they” say, we are happy he was honored and do believe he deserved it.
Oh, another interesting note…he came home early, honorably discharged due to health reasons, and a little later all his comrads were in a battle, and every one lost his life. I guess if he had not been discharged, I may not be here…one wonders.
This looks like a helpful blog! I look forward to visiting again.
Claudia
JayMonster
Mar 6, 2008 at 12:30 pm
There are some other more “common” (but just as hidden benefits) that we were able to partake of when my father passed because a friend of my father knew to tell us.
You can ask the branch of service to have an honor guard at the funeral (flag covered casket, Playing of Taps, presentation of flag to surviving spouse). You can also get a letter of recognition send (and signed) by the President of the United States recognizing them for their service to the country.
These things may not be as big or glamorous as a burial at sea, but they fit it even with more “traditional” funeral services, and they are nice ways to have the passing person’s sacrifices for their country to be recognized.
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