Submarine Store

Burial Options for Submarine Veterans
by Robert James Homme, M.A.

Submarine veterans and their families have some choices when it comes to government sponsored interment. The options should be discussed with the Veterans Administration to determine eligibility and the veteran should document and communicate his desires to family members to ensure his wishes are carried out. It is wise to assemble and store eligibility documents such as your DD-214 with your will.

Burial at Sea
Since this ceremony is performed while the ship is deployed, civilians may not be allowed to be present. In the USA, those eligible for a free Navy burial at sea are:

• Active duty members of the uniformed services

• Honorably discharged retirees and veterans

• Military Sealift Command U.S. civilian marine personnel

• Family members of the above

How to get Started: After the death of the individual for whom the request for Burial at Sea is being made, the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) should print out and complete the Burial at Sea Request Form. Supporting documents which must accompany this request are:

• a photocopy of the death certificate;

• the burial transit permit or the cremation certificate; and

• a copy of the DD Form 214, discharge certificate, or retirement order.

The Burial at Sea Request Form and the three supporting documents make up the Burial at Sea Request package.

A Burial Flag is required for all committal services performed aboard United States Naval vessels, except family members, who are not authorized a burial flag. Following the services at sea, the flag that accompanied the cremains/remains will be returned to the PADD. If the PADD does not wish to send a burial flag for the service, a flag will be provided by the Navy for the committal service, but will not be sent to the PADD. (Note: For deceased veterans, a burial flag can be provided at no charge from the Veterans Administration).

After the ceremony, if the relatives were not permitted to attend, they will be informed of the time and location of the burial, and given photos and video recordings, if available, along with the interment flag if provided by the PADD.

For More Information and Assistance: If you have any questions about the Burial at Sea program, please contact the United States Navy Mortuary Affairs office or toll-free at 1-888-647-6676, and select option 4.

Burial at a National Cemetery
Submarine veterans can also be buried at a national cemetery. Spaces cannot be reserved in advance but it is advisable to meet with the VA and discuss the options.

• Active duty members of the uniformed services

• All US veterans who have met the minimum active duty requirements and received other-than-dishonorable discharges

• Family members of the above

The VA will provide - at no expense to the family - a gravesite, a headstone or marker, a presidential memorial certificate, a US flag, perpetual care of the gravesite, and the opening and closing of the grave. The family of the veteran must pay for any other services included those provided by funeral directors and facilities.

Formal funeral services are not held at national cemeteries but final committal services are performed in committal shelters away from the gravesite. Burial takes place following the committal service.

For more information, including how to establish burial eligibility, contact the nearest VA regional office at 800-827-1000 or visit www.cem.va.gov .

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Information Courtesy of the United States Navy and the Veterans Administration

About the Author
Robert James Homme is a Vietnam Era Submarine Veteran and has a graduate degree in History from Florida International University. Robert has published professionally in a variety of magazines throughout Florida and academically in the Atlantic Millennium (formerly the Southeastern Historical Journal). He is a dual honor society member of OMICRON DELTA KAPPA and PHI ALPHA THETA.

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