DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: Does the VA provide any special burial benefits to old veterans? My dad, who has late-stage Parkinson’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. — Only Child

DEAR ONLY CHILD: Most U.S. veterans are eligible for burial and memorial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration. Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” which you can request online at Archives.gov/veterans.

Here are some of the benefits available to veterans who die a nonservice related death.

>> National cemetery benefits: If your dad is eligible, and would like to be buried in one of the 136 national or 111 grant-funded state and tribal VA cemeteries (see cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.asp for a list), the VA provides a host of benefits at no cost, including: a gravesite; opening and closing of the grave; perpetual gravesite care; a government headstone or marker; a United States burial flag that can be used to drape the casket or accompany the urn (after the funeral service; the flag is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake); and a presidential memorial certificate.

National cemetery burial benefits are also available to spouses and dependents of veterans. If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner as casketed remains.

Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care of by the VA. Some veteran’s survivors are eligible for burial allowances, which are explained below.

If you’re interested in this option, the VA offers a preneed burial eligibility determination program at cem.va.gov/pre-need or call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

>> Private cemetery benefits: If your father is buried in a private cemetery, benefits include a free government headstone or marker or a medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker; a burial flag; and a Presidential memorial certificate.

Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the family (some burial allowances may be available), and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents buried in private cemeteries.

>> Military funeral honors: Another popular benefit available is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes an honor guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, folding and presenting the U.S. burial flag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of taps by a bugler or an electronic recording.

The funeral provider will be able to assist you with VA burial requests. Certain forms may need to be completed in advance.

For a rundown of burial and memorial benefits, eligibility details and required forms, visit cem.va.gov or call 800-827-1000.

>> Burial allowances: Some veteran’s survivors may also qualify for a $300 burial allowance (or $780 if hospitalized by VA at time of death) and $780 for a plot, to those buried in a private cemetery. To find out if your dad is eligible, see Benefits.va.gov/benefits/factsheets/burials/burial.pdf.

To apply for burial allowances, you’ll need to fill out VA Form 21P-530 “Application for Burial Benefits.” You need to attach a copy of your dad’s discharge document (DD 214 or equivalent), death certificate, funeral and burial bills. They should show that you have paid them in full. You may download the form at VA.gov/vaforms.