Veterans Funeral Service
Honoring Those Who Served: Veterans Funeral Services
The men and women who have served our country deserve to be remembered with the same honor and dignity they showed in uniform. At Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, we consider it a privilege to help families in Shenandoah and throughout Luzerne County arrange fitting tributes for their veteran loved ones.
For more than 100 years, our family has served this community—and many of those we've cared for have been veterans who served in conflicts from World War II through Afghanistan. We understand the unique traditions, benefits, and honors available to military families, and we're here to guide you through every detail so you can focus on remembering the person you loved.
Our licensed funeral directors will help you complete the necessary paperwork to obtain benefits through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Whether you're planning a traditional burial with full military honors or a simple cremation service, we'll ensure your veteran receives the recognition they earned.
What are VA burial benefits and memorial items?
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides burial benefits to assist service members, veterans, and their families with the costs of burial or memorial services in a VA national cemetery. These benefits exist because our nation believes those who served should be honored appropriately, regardless of a family's financial circumstances.
Memorial items are provided at no cost to eligible families as a lasting tribute to military service. These include government-furnished headstones, markers, and medallions that recognize a veteran's sacrifice. Our staff will help you understand which benefits apply to your situation and assist with filing the necessary applications.
Who qualifies for burial benefits and burial in a national cemetery?
Eligibility for VA burial benefits extends to veterans, service members, spouses, and dependents who meet certain requirements. Understanding these qualifications helps families plan ahead and know what support is available during a difficult time.
The following individuals may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery:
- Veterans who received an honorable discharge or were not dishonorably discharged
- Service members who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
- Spouses or minor children of veterans, even if the veteran died first
- In some cases, unmarried adult dependent children of veterans
If you're uncertain whether your loved one qualifies, please call us at (570) 462-0921. We can review the veteran's service record and help determine eligibility for burial benefits and national cemetery interment.
What are military funeral honors and a committal service?
Military funeral honors represent our nation's gratitude for a veteran's service and sacrifice. These honors transform a funeral service into a powerful tribute that families remember for a lifetime. The ceremony typically includes the playing of "Taps," a rifle detail, a color guard, and uniformed service members who fold and present the United States flag to the family.
The presentation of the burial flag is one of the most meaningful moments in a military funeral. This flag is typically given to the deceased veteran's next of kin or a close friend chosen by the family.
To qualify for a burial flag, the veteran or reservist must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Served in wartime
- Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
- Served after January 31, 1955
- Served in peacetime and left military service before June 27, 1950, after serving at least one enlistment or due to a service-connected disability
- Served in the Selected Reserves
- Served in the military forces of the Philippines while in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951
Our funeral directors coordinate all aspects of military funeral honors, working with local veterans' organizations and military honor guards to ensure a dignified and proper ceremony.
What are burial benefits and how do I apply?
The veterans' death benefits help cover the burial, funeral and transportation costs associated with the deceased’s services and disposition. For those being buried in a national cemetery, survivors can receive assistance with the burial and funeral costs, the plot or internment, and the transportation of the veteran’s remains for burial.
You must file a claim for a non-service-connected burial allowance within two years after the veteran’s burial or cremation. There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance.
You can apply online at https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction or by mail after completing the VA Form 21P-530.
A veteran who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge or a service member who died while on active duty may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet certain requirements. To find out if your deceased loved one qualifies, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/
The Department of Veteran Affairs also provides a headstone for unmarked graves of an eligible deceased veteran at no charge. To request a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker, fill out the VA Form 10-1330 and send to:
Department of Veteran Affairs
5109 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-3909
For more information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA office at 1-800-827-1000.
FAQ
How long does it take to receive VA burial benefits after applying?
Most families receive a decision on burial allowance claims within 60 to 90 days of submitting a complete application. Our funeral directors help ensure your paperwork is filed correctly the first time, which can prevent delays in processing.
Can a veteran be buried with military honors even if they're cremated?
Yes, military funeral honors are available for both burial and cremation services. The flag folding ceremony, playing of "Taps," and rifle salute can be performed at a funeral service, memorial service, or committal service regardless of whether the veteran chose burial or cremation.
What documents do I need to apply for VA burial benefits in Shenandoah?
You'll need the veteran's DD Form 214 (discharge papers), death certificate, proof of military service, and receipts for funeral expenses. Our staff will help you locate and organize these documents and can assist if the DD-214 has been lost.
Does Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell handle all the VA paperwork for veteran funerals?
We assist families with completing and filing all necessary VA forms, including applications for burial benefits, headstone requests, and flag requests. Our goal is to remove this administrative burden so you can focus on honoring your loved one's memory.
