Burial Assistance

Veterans Services provides access to burial benefits for deceased veterans or a veteran’s deceased spouse. Ottawa County can pay $600 to eligible applicants to offset the cost of the burial. To be eligible for the burial allowance, the veteran must meet the following criteria:

• Resident of Ottawa County
• Honorable Discharge from military service
• 90 Days of active duty war-time era service for purposes other than training
• Meet $70,000 asset limit criteria

Required Information

• Completed Burial Allowance Application
• DD 214 or similar showing dates of active service and character of discharge
• Death certificate, showing Ottawa County as the decedent’s home of residence
• Invoice from the funeral home showing cost of services, current balance, and name of
  the person responsible for costs

Applications and supplemental documentation can be submitted electronically. Each application is revieweded on a case-by-case basis. To check your eligibility or to see if you qualify for other federal or state benefits, please contact Veterans Services directly at (616) 393-8387.

All veterans and their spouses are eligible for free burial at any national cemetery. The Fort Custer National Cemetery is the closest location. You can receive more information by calling (269) 731-4164.

What Does Wartime-Era Mean?

Some programs refer to “wartime-era” service as an eligibility requirement. Wartime periods are defined as: