KORONER’S KORNER: Veterans’ death benefits

Part 3 of 3

SECTION 5: APPENDIX AND REFERENCE MATERIAL  Scan through this section and become more aware of the paperwork of death/

• GENERIC OBITUARY OUTLINE AND A HEARTFELT OBITUARY EXAMPLE.

• FIRST WEEK AFTER DEATH

• HEADSTONE

• HANDY CONTACTS

GENERIC OBITUARY (FILL IN THE BLANKS, THEN ADD YOUR FLOURISHES!)

John Q. Soldier, US Army, Special Forces (Retired) died on _______________.  From Hometown & State, he was born on __________ in______, __________ to mother and father. _______________.

He attended _______________(schools), where he excelled at _____________.   He joined the Army on ___________ and was assigned to ______________.  He then became a member of the elite Special Forces in _______, with specialties in:____________________________________  He was initially assigned to _______  XX Group at ____________. Follow-on assignments and job descriptions included:  ________________________________________________________

His decorations and awards include: ________________________________________________

He retired from the Army in XXXX, when he began a second Career as ________________.

_____________is survived by his family members:____________________________________ He will be laid to rest at ____________________.

Following is a heartfelt example provided by a former Special Forces soldier’s family with their permission.

George Henry Cermak, Jr., born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1948, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his home in Viera, Florida, on September 28, 2024, from natural causes. George lived a life full of adventure, serving as an Army Green Beret for 22 years, including in the 1st, 5th, and 10th Group Special Forces. He reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. His military service took him around the world, and he eventually settled with his family in Viera in 1993, where he resided until his passing.

George was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Alison Cermak (nee Matthews), his son Matthew Anthony Cermak (Hailey), daughters Carly Anna Foster (George) and Wendi Cermak, and grandchildren Alora, Adira, and another grandson on the way, as well as chihuahuas Ranger, Tonto, and Peanut. He is also survived by extended family in Ohio and England, and his chosen family of friends at home and abroad. He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Jim and Lenny, as well as his beloved dogs throughout his lifetime, Chico, Mia, Leo, Boo Boo, Zulu, Enu, and Runaway, and cats Joey, Miles, and Smokey. He was known to bring home injured and wild animals and care for them, much to the delight of his children, as well as many knick-knacks, much to the consternation of his wife.

Never one to rest on his laurels, George went back to school and earned his electrical engineering degree at the age of 50. After retiring from the military, George continued to serve his community in various roles before joining the DEA, where he worked to stem the tide of deadly narcotics into our communities. Variably known as “Crazy George” and “Gorgeous George,” he was a man who could do anything, and his generous and wild heart left an indelible mark on all who knew him, his family and friends across the world. He could be seen blazing through the streets of Brevard County on one of his motorcycles or governing the snack shop at his office on Patrick Air Force Base. After retirement, he continued to ride and turned his attention to serving the VFW Post 8191 and being dragged all over the world with his wife, this time for pleasure instead of a soldier’s work.

Friends and family will be received at Beckman Williamson Funeral Home, 5400 Village Drive, Rockledge, Florida, on Friday, October 11, from 10 to 11 a.m., with a celebration of life service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, where George will receive the proper soldier’s send-off he deserves. There will be a raucous reception to follow at the VFW (where we fully expect to sing the Lion Sleeps Tonight in unison).

In lieu of flowers, George would love for you to adopt a forever pet from your local rescue or shelter and name it after him or donate to the humane society.

FIRST WEEK AFTER DEATH (Use these suggestions in conjunction with my previous “What Do I Do Now?” article.  Coordinate these actions with section 3: (Departments to deal with)

• Notify family and friends.

• Contact DFAS and social security to report death.

• Contact DEERS to verify survivor’s coverage.

• Visit the chosen cemetery, if applicable.

• Contact your funeral director, who will handle much of the paperwork death and burial requirements.  They arrange transport of remains, preparation of remains, paperwork with DD- 214, death certificate, cemetery, schedule ceremony, flag, certificate, honor guard, and other veteran VA burial benefits. It is particularly helpful to choose the funeral director ahead of time.  Some may be able to arrange your veteran’s burial at a national or private cemetery.  Choosing a director of your liking, and interviewing them, will lift a great time and emotional burden off your family.

• Design program and arrange printing. Include service time(s), date(s), location(s), honors, obituary, participants, etc.

• arrange reception: choose a time, date, location,  refreshments, caterer, etc.

HEADSTONE:  The National Cemetery Administration provides free government-furnished headstones or markers for eligible veterans buried in private, state, or national cemeteries.  To apply, you must complete VA Form 40-1330, “Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker,”.  Note that setting fees for private cemeteries are the responsibility of the applicant.  There are 3 distinct sections.

TOP SECTION:  Displays your desired Emblem Of Belief (EOB). Choices for this emblem are limited to beliefs, and choices are on the National Cemetery Administration website (https://www.cem.va.gov).  Discuss your EOB choice with your family. (Military insignia are prohibited by law, however, legislation has been submitted to allow use of military insignia.)

MIDDLE SECTION: Displays name, rank, service, conflict, birth and death dates and awards. You have an option to eliminate the designated conflict in order to have more room for your decorations.  There is also a possibility that after the named service (Army), the letters ‘SF’ may be accepted.

BOTTOM SECTION:  Is for additional information, or endearments.  Abbreviations, such as ‘DOL’ are prohibited.  As ‘De Oppresso Liber’ takes up 1 1⁄2 lines.  (Legislation to allow the abbreviation DOL for De Oppresso Liber has been submitted to Congress to allow use of this specific abbreviation.)

HANDY CONTACTS:

DFAS: 1-800-321-1080

SOCIAL SECURITY: 1-800-772-1213

DEERS: 1-800-538-9552

MEDICARE: 1-800-633-4227

TRI-CARE (COLORADO): 1-844-866-9378

TRICARE FOR LIFE: 1-866-773-0404

VA BURIAL AND MEMORIAL BENEFITS:  https://www.cem.va.gov

SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN:  https://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/survivor:benefit-plan

DISCLAIMER:  THIS INFORMATION WAS ASSEMBLED IN 2024. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CHANGES POLICY OFTEN.

Danny Leo Green,

Coroner, Cedar County