Flags placed for Memorial Day for Veterans of Foreign Wars at rest at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif. (Daniel Peterson/U.S. Air Force)
WASHINGTON — Burial benefits for family members who die before service members could be extended permanently under new legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators.
The measure would give the Department of Veterans Affairs lasting authority to bury the spouse or dependent child of an active-duty service member in a national cemetery and provide a memorial headstone or marker for cases in which remains are unavailable.
Such benefits have been provided for years on a temporary basis and are due to expire Oct. 1, 2024, without congressional action.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., described the bill as “common sense.” Peters, a former lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the legislation alongside Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.
“Service members and their families sacrifice immensely in service to our country,” Peters said in a statement. “The least that we can do is ensure they can remain together in their final resting place.”
The VA operates more than 100 national cemeteries across 42 states and Puerto Rico. Burial benefits for eligible spouses and children include perpetual care, inscription of the spouse's or child's name, and birth and death dates on the veteran’s headstone at no cost to the family.
The legislation, called the Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2023, has been endorsed by Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“During unfortunate times when a spouse or child passes away before the service member, it is paramount for provisions to exist that allow for a choice of final rest together at a VA national cemetery,” said Quandrea Patterson, associate director of the VFW’s disability assistance and memorial affairs.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for consideration.
