What role do Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) play in funeral arrangements?

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) play a crucial role in assisting families with military funeral arrangements. They offer guidance on the benefits and entitlements available to veterans and their families, particularly concerning burial honors and funeral services. This includes helping to navigate the specific requirements needed to ensure that veterans receive the honors due to them, such as military honors at the funeral, coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for burial in national cemeteries, and providing information on the benefits associated with these services.

By assisting with military funeral arrangements, VSOs serve as a vital resource for families during a challenging time, ensuring they are aware of and can access entitlements they might not be familiar with, such as eligibility for specific burial benefits or commemorative items like flags and markers. They do not, however, typically provide financial assistance for funerals or handle all aspects of memorial services directly. Their focus is more on advocacy and support rather than performing the funeral services themselves or managing the complete funeral process.