Guides for families navigating loss

These guides are for the person trying to understand what comes next after a death. They explain the first calls, probate, survivor benefits, documents, and deadlines in calm, plain language.

Start with the family basics or go directly to the military and VA survivor topic that fits your situation. Every guide is free to read and written for families, not lawyers.

Order turns this guidance into a shared family plan so people can organize and divide the work. It is not a law firm, and these guides are not legal advice.

Family basics

What to do when someone dies — A step-by-step starting point for the first days, paperwork, accounts, and the first year.
Probate: what families need to know — A plain-language explanation of probate, executor duties, timelines, and state differences.

Military and VA survivors

The DD-214 — Find the service record needed for most VA survivor claims.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation — Understand who may qualify for monthly tax-free DIC benefits and how to apply.
Survivor Benefit Plan annuity — Work through the DFAS survivor annuity process for eligible military families.
VA burial benefits — Review burial allowances, national cemetery eligibility, flags, and memorial benefits.
CHAMPVA health coverage — Check whether a surviving spouse or child qualifies for VA health coverage.
Chapter 35 education benefits — Learn about education assistance for eligible surviving spouses and children.
Military Death Gratuity — Understand the one-time payment made after an active-duty death.
Military survivor documents checklist — Gather the records and forms used across multiple claims before filing.
Notifying DFAS and the VA — Stop retired pay or pension payments and avoid preventable overpayments.
TRICARE for survivors — Review continued coverage, enrollment windows, and transition options.
VA headstones and grave markers — Choose and request a government-furnished marker or medallion.

Find guidance for your family

Browse state-by-state estate and probate guides or visit the military families hub.