If you`re a veteran or a family member of a veteran who has been cremated, you may be wondering what to do with their cremated remains. That`s where VA Form 40-4987 Agreement for Burial of Cremated Remains comes in.
This form is a legal document that allows veterans and their families to make arrangements for the final resting place of their cremated remains. The form is typically used when a veteran or a family member requests that their remains be interred in a national cemetery, or when they want to be buried in a private cemetery or another location of their choosing.
The VA Form 40-4987 Agreement for Burial of Cremated Remains must be completed by the next of kin or other authorized representative of the deceased veteran. This form requires information such as the veteran`s name, Social Security number, and date of birth, as well as the name and contact information of the funeral home or crematorium that handled the remains.
In addition to basic personal information, the form also requires some specific details about the burial or interment arrangements. For example, you`ll need to indicate whether you want the cremated remains buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, and if you have chosen a private cemetery, you`ll need to provide the cemetery`s name and location.
You`ll also need to indicate whether you want a government-furnished headstone or marker, and if so, what type of marker you prefer. Finally, you`ll need to indicate whether you want to receive an American flag at the time of burial.
Once the VA Form 40-4987 Agreement for Burial of Cremated Remains is completed and signed by the next of kin or authorized representative, it should be submitted to the VA`s National Cemetery Administration. The VA will then make the necessary arrangements for the interment of the cremated remains.
In conclusion, VA Form 40-4987 Agreement for Burial of Cremated Remains is an important document that helps veterans and their families make arrangements for the final resting place of their loved ones. By filling out this form, families can ensure that their loved ones are honored with a proper burial or interment.