Military Services

Here at LADUSAU-EVANS FUNERAL HOME we
feel it  is an honor to be able to serve our country's
greatest heroes, military veterans.

Military services are readily available upon the
request of the family.  Ladusau-Evans, as a gift,
provides a hardwood flag case to each veteran’s
family with their loved one’s flag in it.  We also fill
out all of the paper work required for your family to
receive the veteran benefits that the veteran is
eligible for.

•        Department of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov  
•        National Cemetery Administration www.cem.va.gov


REIMBURSEMENT OF BURIAL EXPENSES

VA will pay a burial allowance up to $2,000 if the veteran's
death is service connected. VA also will pay the cost of
transporting the remains of a service-disabled veteran to the
national cemetery nearest the home of a deceased that has
available grave sites. In such cases, the person who bore the
veteran's burial expenses may claim reimbursement from VA.
VA will pay a $300 burial and funeral expense allowance for
veterans who, at time of death, were entitled to receive
pension or compensation or would have been entitled to
compensation but for receipt of military retirement pay.
Eligibility also is established when death occurs in a VA facility
or a nursing home with which VA contracted. Additional costs
of transportation of the remains may be reimbursed. There is
no time limit for filing reimbursement claims of service-
connected deaths. In other deaths, claims must be filed within
two years after permanent burial or cremation.

VA will pay a $300 plot allowance when the veteran is not
buried in a cemetery that is under  U.S. Government
jurisdiction if the veteran is discharged from active duty
because of disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, if
the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension or
would have been in receipt of compensation but for receipt of
military retired pay, or if the veteran died while hospitalized by
VA. The plot allowance is not payable solely on wartime service.

If the veteran is buried without charge for the cost of a plot or
interment in a state-owned cemetery reserved solely for
veteran burials, the $300 plot allowance may be paid to the
state. Burial expenses paid by the decease's employer or a
state agency will not be reimbursed

BURIAL IN NATIONAL VA CEMETERIES

Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the grave
site, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care.
Many national cemeteries have columbaria for the inurnment
of cremated remains or special grave sites for the burial of
cremated remains. Headstones and markers and their
placement are provided at the government's expense.

Veterans and armed forces members who die on active duty
are eligible for burial in one of  VA's 114 national cemeteries.
An eligible veteran must have been discharged or separated
from active duty under honorable or general conditions and
have completed the required period of service. Persons
entitled to retired pay as a result of 20 years creditable service
with a reserve component are eligible.  A U.S. Citizen who
served in the armed forces of a government allied with the
United States in a war also may be eligible.

Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of armed
forces members also may be buried in a national cemetery. A
surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who married a
nonveteran, and whose remarriage was terminated by death or
divorce, is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.  Grave
sites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Funeral
directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at
the time of death. Reservations made under previous
programs are honored. The National Cemetery System normally
does not conduct burials on weekends. A weekend caller,
however, will be directed to one of three strategically located
VA cemetery offices that remain open during weekends to
schedule burials at the cemetery of the caller's choice during
the following week.

HEADSTONES AND MARKERS

VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves
of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents
of veterans buried in national, state veteran or military
cemeteries.

Flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite and
upright marble types are available to mark the grave in a style
consistent with the place of burial. Niche markers also are
available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated
remains.

Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the
deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service.
Optional items that also may be inscribed at VA expense are:
military grade, rank or rate; war service such as World War II;
months and days of birth and death; an emblem reflecting
one's beliefs; valor awards; and the Purple Heart. Additional
items may be inscribed at private expense.

When burial is in a national, state veteran or military cemetery,
the headstone marker is ordered through the cemetery,
inscription, shipping and placement can be obtained from the
cemetery.

When burial occurs in a cemetery other than a national, military
post or state veterans cemetery, the headstone marker must
be applied for from VA. It is shipped at government expense.
VA, however, does not pay the cost of placing the headstone
or marker on the grave. To apply, you must complete VA form
40-1330 and forward it to Director, Office of Memorial Programs
(403A), National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans
Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Forms and assistance are
available at VA.  For an application,  you may call the Director,
Office of Memorial Programs at 1-800-697-6947.

VA cannot issue a headstone or marker for a spouse or child
buried in a private cemetery. Twenty year reservists without
active duty service are eligible for a headstone or marker, if
they are entitled to military retired pay at the time of death.

HEADSTONES OR MARKERS FOR MEMORIAL PLOTS

To memorialize an eligible veteran whose remains are not
available for burial, VA will provide a plot and headstone or
marker in a national cemetery. The headstone or marker is the
same as that used to identify a grave except that the
mandatory phrase "In Memory of" precedes the authorized
inscription. The headstone or marker is available to
memorialize eligible veterans or deceased active-duty
members whose remains were not recovered or identified,
were buried at sea, donated to science, or cremated and
scattered. The memorial marker may be provided for
placement in a cemetery other than a national cemetery. In
such a case, VA supplies the marker and pays the cost of
shipping, but does not pay for the plot or the placement of the
marker. Only a relative recognized as the next of kin may apply
for the benefit.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES

The Presidential Memorial Certificate is a parchment
certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the
nation's recognition of the veteran's service. The veteran's
name is inscribed and the certificate bears the signature of
the President. Certificates are issued in the name of honorably
discharged, deceased veterans. Eligible recipients include
next of kin, other relatives and friends. The award of a
certificate to one eligible recipient does not preclude
certificates to other eligible recipients. The veteran may have
died at any time in the past. The local VA regional office
generally originates the application for a Presidential Memorial
Certificate. The next of kin also may request a certificate.
Requests should be accompanied by a copy of a document
such as a discharge to establish honorable service. VA
regional offices can assist in applying for certificates.

HEADSTONE AND GRAVE MARKER PROGRAM

Headstone and Grave marker Program: 1-800-697-6947 8:00am
to 4:30pm Eastern Time Government Life Insurance
Information VA Insurance Center: 1-800-669-8477 8:00am to       
6:30pm Eastern Time  
LADUSAU-EVANS
FUNERAL HOME
2800 N VAN BUREN
ENID, OKLAHOMA
73703
580-233-1400
ladusauevans
@suddenlinkmail.com