Order
When life feels overwhelming
Order
When life feels overwhelming
Losing a veteran or active-duty service member comes with a specific set of benefits, deadlines, and claims that most families don't know to look for. Order surfaces every one of them and gives your whole family one place to work through them together.
Start your family's plan, free to begin
Keep military records, key documents, deadlines, and who handles what in one shared plan your family can see.
Start your family's planBenefits are handled by different agencies and often use the same records. Start with the documents checklist, then open the guide for each claim your family needs to make.
For the full sequence, read what to do when someone dies, or browse all family guides.
Whether your loved one served as a veteran or was active duty at the time of their passing, Order surfaces a separate set of tasks specifically for your situation.
File VA Form 21P-534EZ for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who died from a service-connected condition may qualify for monthly DIC payments.
Read the full guideApply for burial benefits through the VA
The VA provides burial allowances for eligible veterans, including a plot allowance and a burial flag. Many veterans qualify for free burial in a national cemetery.
Read the full guideRequest the DD-214 discharge record
This document is required for nearly every veterans benefit claim. If the original is lost, you can request a copy through the National Archives.
Read the full guideContact the VA Survivors and Dependents Assistance line
Call 800-827-1000. A VA benefits counselor can walk you through every program the surviving family may qualify for.
Apply for Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity if applicable
If the veteran was retired military and enrolled in SBP, the surviving spouse may receive a monthly annuity. Contact DFAS to begin the claim.
Read the full guideReview TRICARE health coverage transition options
Surviving spouses and dependents may continue TRICARE coverage for a period after the veteran's death. Contact TRICARE to understand your options and deadlines.
Read the full guideApply for CHAMPVA health benefits if TRICARE is not available
Surviving spouses and children of permanently disabled or deceased veterans may qualify for CHAMPVA — the VA's health benefits program. No monthly premium. Most eligible families don't know it exists.
Read the full guideNotify DFAS and the VA of the death to stop retired pay and avoid overpayments
If the veteran was a military retiree or received VA compensation, two separate agencies must each be notified. Retired pay paid after the date of death must be returned, but a surviving spouse may keep the VA payment for the month of death. Prompt notification limits the recovery amount.
Read the full guideRequest a VA-furnished headstone or grave marker
The VA provides free government-furnished headstones, flat markers, niche covers, and bronze medallions for eligible veterans — including those buried in private cemeteries.
Read the full guideContact the Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO)
A CAO is assigned to active-duty families to guide them through benefits, paperwork, and next steps. They are your primary point of contact from the installation.
File for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Surviving family members of active-duty service members who died in the line of duty qualify for DIC. File VA Form 21P-534EZ as soon as possible.
Read the full guideClaim the Death Gratuity payment
Families of active-duty members who died in service receive a tax-free Death Gratuity payment of $100,000. The CAO will help initiate this.
Read the full guideApply for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Most active-duty members carry SGLI coverage of up to $500,000. File VA Form SGLV 8283 to claim the benefit. The beneficiary is the one who files.
Transition base housing or BAH
Surviving families living on-base or receiving BAH have a transition period before they must vacate or change their housing status. Contact housing services at the installation.
Enroll children in the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program
DEA (Chapter 35) provides education benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who died in service. Apply through the VA.
Read the full guideRequest a VA-furnished headstone or grave marker
The VA provides free government-furnished headstones, flat markers, niche covers, and bronze medallions for service members who die on active duty — including for burial in private cemeteries.
Read the full guideMilitary benefits have real deadlines. Some must be filed within days — others can wait weeks or months. Here's the order of operations.
These programs exist for nearly every military family — but most never claim them. Here's what to look for.
Burial reimbursement
The VA reimburses eligible burial and funeral expenses — even when burial is not at a national cemetery. Many families don't know to file.
Presidential Memorial Certificate
A signed presidential certificate honoring the veteran's military service. Free through the VA; most families never request one.
State veterans cemetery
Most states operate at least one veterans cemetery with free interment. Eligibility often extends to surviving spouses and dependents.
Property tax exemptions
Surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans qualify for full or partial property tax exemptions in most states — and most never apply.
DEA education benefits
Chapter 35 provides up to 36 months of VA education benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected condition.
TRICARE continuation
Survivors can often maintain TRICARE health coverage after a veteran's death — but enrollment deadlines apply and the window closes fast.
Every state offers property tax exemptions, veterans cemetery access, and survivor programs beyond federal VA benefits. Select your state to see what applies where you are.
Select your state above to see the military benefit programs and survivor resources available where you are.
Add your loved one and mark veteran or active duty. The right benefits and tasks surface automatically.
Share access with siblings, spouses, and anyone helping. Everyone sees the same picture and can take on specific steps.
State-specific tasks appear automatically, including property tax exemptions and veterans cemeteries.
Start your family's plan, free to begin
Keep military records, key documents, deadlines, and who handles what in one shared plan your family can see.
Start your family's plan