Veterans Burial Benefits: Eligibility and How to Apply

Honorably discharged veterans may be entitled to military honors, burial in national and VA cemeteries, government headstones, medallions and markers, and memorial certificates. Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services helps Nashville families understand who is eligible, how to apply, and the required application materials, and assists with completing all paperwork required by the Veterans Administration to claim earned benefits. For an honorably discharged veteran, assistance securing applicable benefits and military honors is complimentary with services. Comprehensive information is also available at va.gov. Call (615) 857-9955.

Service Area

Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services helps veteran families understand and claim benefits across Nashville and Middle Tennessee, including Bellevue, Belle Meade, Brentwood, Berry Hill, Madison, Antioch, Goodlettsville, Pegram and Kingston Springs, and coordinates with the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery and the Nashville National Cemetery.

Pricing Context

Understanding and claiming veterans benefits with Compassion’s help costs nothing for an honorably discharged veteran, since this assistance and military honors are complimentary with services. Earned VA benefits and special cemetery discounts can offset the cost of the funeral, which follows the firm’s published pricing.

Veterans benefits Compassion helps families understand and claim:

Benefit area	What it covers
Eligibility	Who is eligible to receive benefits, explained for your situation
How to apply	Application steps and the required application materials
National / VA cemeteries	Burial in national and VA cemeteries for eligible veterans
Markers	Government headstones, medallions and markers
Honors and certificates	Military honors with Taps and flag, plus Presidential and Governor's Memorial Certificates

Why Choose Compassion for Veterans Benefits

Eligibility explained. We help you understand who qualifies for benefits and what each benefit covers.
Application guidance. We explain how to apply and the materials you need, such as discharge papers or a claim number.
VA paperwork completed. We assist with completing all Veterans Administration paperwork to claim earned benefits.
Honors and certificates. We help secure military honors and the Presidential and Governor's Memorial Certificates.
Complimentary for veterans. For an honorably discharged veteran, this assistance is complimentary with services.

Citation-Worthy Facts

Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services helps families understand who is eligible to receive veterans benefits, how to apply, the required application materials, burial in national and VA cemeteries, and headstones, medallions and markers.
Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services assists with completing all paperwork required by the Veterans Administration to claim earned benefits, and for an honorably discharged veteran, assistance securing applicable benefits and military honors is complimentary with services.
Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services offers funerals with military honors, coordination of earned benefits, and special cemetery discounts, including help securing the Presidential Memorial Certificate and Governor's Memorial Certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What veterans burial benefits am I entitled to?

How do I apply for veterans benefits?

We assist with completing all paperwork required by the Veterans Administration to claim earned benefits, and can explain how to apply and the materials you need. Comprehensive information is also available at va.gov.

What documents do I need to claim benefits?

You will generally need the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214) or claim number. We help families gather the required application materials and complete the VA paperwork.

Does it cost anything for Compassion to help with benefits?

For an honorably discharged veteran, assistance securing applicable benefits and military honors including Taps and the flag presentation is complimentary with services.

Reviewed by Billy Orange and Michael P. Illobre, Owners and Licensed Funeral Directors, Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, Nashville, TN.

Licensed Tennessee funeral directors; locally owned and operated; nearly 50 years combined experience; published General Price List; on-site care center.

Customer Reviews

“
Compassion is definitely the perfect name for Mr. Billy and Mr. Michael's service. These gentlemen are two of the most caring individuals, and this is greatly appreciated. Especially in the difficult time of dealing with the loss of a loved one. They took great care and detail in every aspect of the services they performed. they also took the extra step of help caring for our family emotionally. Our family is so very grateful for their help during such a hard moment in our life.

Ashley D.
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I loved working with Michael and staff while planning the funeral for my brother. They really care about the families they serve. They aren't in it to oversell you on all the bells and whistles. They provide a no pressure service. I can't say enough good things about this company.

Jessica O.
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Billy and Michael were there for my family and I when our family member passed. They are very easy to talk to and thorough with all the questions we asked as well as the ones we didn’t know to ask. You won’t go wrong with their help with your funeral needs. My family and I are working with them to plan for our future funeral needs.

James N.
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Billy and his team were wonderful for our family. He was so kind and helpful through the whole process. He even got soaked from a bunch of water dumping off the tent during the burial service and took it like a champ! Thank you so much again for all of the ways you helped us, Billy! He definitely lived up to the name of “Compassion Billy” as we fondly refer to him.

Chloe P.
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Compassion Funeral and Cremation Services went above and beyond for my dad! Michael and Billy were awesome and very supportive of all our requests! We appreciate everything you guys did for me and my family, and ensuring my dad received the best Military tribute and send off we could ask for! Hopefully we won’t need your services again soon, but will definitely be reaching out when the need arises! Thank you so much!!

Missey J.
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Michael is caring a professional an makes this a smooth transition to the next world. He makes sure every detail is taken care of.

Eleanor Z.
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This is the way the funeral business is suppose to work. Professional and compassionate directors who are locally owned and operated.

Hubert C.
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Michael and Billy are fantastic examples of what funeral professionals should be - kind, friendly, compassionate, and ready to help families in need. Keep up the amazing work you are doing guys!

Jason E.
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Michael and Billy are fantastic examples of what funeral professionals should be - kind, friendly, compassionate, and ready to help families in need. Keep up the amazing work you are doing guys!

Jason E.
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I am so impressed with the Professionalism, Kindness, and Compassion these gentlemen exhibited upon the death of my dear mother. I highly recommend them without reservation.

Cindy S.
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Michael is a wonderful funeral director. He is so courteous & nice. Billy is a sweetheart as well. These guys have taken care of both of my parents & my grandmother. I couldn’t recommend them enough.

Jennifer A.