Burial Assistance
Act 235 of 1911 requires the Kent County Veterans Services to provide assistance with burial expenses for honorably discharged war time veterans and their spouses who are residents of Kent County.
The County will pay up to $300 of burial expenses for a veteran or their spouse if they have less than $40,000 in assets and if the spouse is applying for assistance for a spouse's burial. Anyone else who applies for burial assistance for a veteran or spouse has an asset limit of the cost of the funeral. Exempt from both applications' asset limits are the value of the home the veteran lives in and any life insurance payable to an individual. The Burial Allowance Application must be filled out and signed by the mortician.
Interment in National Cemeteries
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.
Grave Markers and Foundation
All veterans are eligible for a free Veterans Administration Grave Marker if they died on or after December 27, 2001. Prior to that date,markers could only be given to those veterans with unmarked graves.If there is a placement cost for the marker and the Kent County Veterans Services has assisted with burial expenses, then the person that pays for the VA Marker placement is entitled to a reimbursement of up to $80. Information on obtaining grave markers can be obtained through the Funeral Director handling arrangements, or through the cemetery handling the interment.
The County will pay up to $300 of burial expenses for a veteran or their spouse if they have less than $40,000 in assets and if the spouse is applying for assistance for a spouse's burial. Anyone else who applies for burial assistance for a veteran or spouse has an asset limit of the cost of the funeral. Exempt from both applications' asset limits are the value of the home the veteran lives in and any life insurance payable to an individual. The Burial Allowance Application must be filled out and signed by the mortician.
Interment in National Cemeteries
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.
Grave Markers and Foundation
All veterans are eligible for a free Veterans Administration Grave Marker if they died on or after December 27, 2001. Prior to that date,markers could only be given to those veterans with unmarked graves.If there is a placement cost for the marker and the Kent County Veterans Services has assisted with burial expenses, then the person that pays for the VA Marker placement is entitled to a reimbursement of up to $80. Information on obtaining grave markers can be obtained through the Funeral Director handling arrangements, or through the cemetery handling the interment.