Veterans Day Feature: Honoring Service with Clarity and Care

Every Veterans Day, we salute the brave men and women who have served our country with honor, courage, and sacrifice. But beyond the parades and the posts, there’s a quiet truth many families never learn until it’s too late: VA funeral benefits don’t cover everything we think they do!

This realization hit home for me personally. I served in the U.S. Air Force at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as a Vehicle Operator. My time in uniform was short compared to so many who’ve dedicated years, even decades, to our nation — but it was meaningful. I learned discipline, responsibility, and the deep bond of brotherhood that only military life can teach.

Years later, as I've been working in the mortgage, financial and insurance industries, I discovered something that shocked me: many of my fellow Veterans and their families believed they were fully covered for final expenses by the VA — and they weren’t!

What the VA Actually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

Let’s start with the facts. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides several types of funeral and burial benefits, but they vary widely depending on eligibility service status, circumstances of death, and location of death.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

• Burial in a National cemetery — Yes, this is covered for eligible Veterans, spouses, and dependents. This includes the gravesite, headstone or a marker, and perpetual care.

• Burial allowance — The VA may provide a burial allowance (a cash benefit and reimbursement) to help with funeral costs, but it’s often much less than people expect. For example, it might be around $1,956 (VA will pay up to $978 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2024 and a $978 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery.) for a non-service-connected death, and slightly more if the death was service-related. (VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the Veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.)

• Transportation or funeral home expenses — Not covered in full. Families often pay thousands out-of-pocket for transportation, caskets, vaults, services, flowers, or memorial programs. (The average cost for a traditional funeral in the U.S. is between $7,000 and $12,000, with a median cost of around $8,300 in 2023.)

• Private cemetery burial — Only certain parts may be reimbursed. The VA does not pay for plots in private cemeteries.

It’s a system filled with details, exceptions, and paperwork — which can be overwhelming for grieving families trying to navigate benefits in the middle of a loss. If you've ever applied for VA benefits before, then you know what I'm talking about, smh.

A Common Misunderstanding

Many Veterans — myself included at one point — assume that because we served, our final expenses are “taken care of.” That’s what I believed after leaving the Air Force. It wasn’t until years later, helping families in the mortgage and financial services and now through my work at Wealth Builders Insurance Agency, that I realized how often this misunderstanding leads to financial stress.

I’ve sat with families who thought the VA would “handle everything,” only to learn that thousands of dollars in expenses still remained. These moments are heartbreaking — not because the Veteran didn’t plan, but because they trusted a system that’s simply misunderstood and hard to find guidance.

If you’re a Veteran, a spouse, or even an adult child of a Veteran, it’s time to get clarity today — not later.

Understanding what’s covered, what’s not, and what steps you can take now can prevent a painful financial surprise for your loved ones later. It’s not about fear — it’s about preparation and love.

And here’s the truth: a well-designed Final Expense Plan can fill those gaps effortlessly, ensuring your family is never left guessing or struggling. It’s affordable, accessible, and tailored to your specific benefits.

My Mission: Education Before Emergency

When I left the military, I carried with me the pride of service — but also a sense of responsibility to continue helping others. Over 24 years in financial consulting, insurance, and wealth planning, I’ve seen how the proper education changes everything.

That’s why I founded Wealth Builders Insurance Agency — where I’m committed to helping my fellow Veterans and their families secure their futures with clarity and peace of mind.

I don’t want another Veteran to discover too late that what they thought was covered, really isn’t.
I don’t want another spouse scrambling to find funds for a funeral they assumed was already paid for. I don't want another child wondering how they can sell the precious family heirlooms to cover the cost.

We can change this all together.

Think About This

We prepare for so many parts of our lives — college, new car, buying a house, retirement, birthdays, even vacations — yet the one certainty we all will face, often goes unplanned.

For Veterans, it’s not about if your service will be honored; it’s about how!
When that day comes, will your family have clear guidance, or confusion?
Will they have peace of mind, or paperwork and pressure?

Too many families learn about the limits of VA coverage after a loved one passes. The emotional pain is already heavy — the financial weight shouldn’t be added on top.

Think about the people you love most.
If they had to make decisions tomorrow, would they know what’s covered, what’s not, and where to turn?

That’s why now — while you’re healthy, aware, and in control — is the time to plan.
It’s one of the most selfless, loving things you can do for your family.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Watch the 2-Minute VA Funeral Benefits Overview — It’s a short, quick overview video that breaks down what’s actually included, what’s not, and the best next steps.

2. Download a Free Copy of the Waterfall Wealth Guide - 10 Steps To Legacy — This Guide reveals a proven system, a financial blueprint to lasting wealth.

3. Schedule a No-Cost Review — We’ll go over your unique situation, verify your eligibility, and show you simple, affordable ways to ensure your family is fully protected.

4. Share This Information — If you know a Veteran or military family, send them this article or video. It could make all the difference and save a family from frustration and funeral poverty.

Take Action Today

🎥 Watch the quick overview now

💡 Download Your Waterfall Wealth Creation Blueprint Guide

🗓️ Schedule your No-Cost VA Funeral Benefits Review

🌐 Learn more at: https://wealthbuilders-insurance.com/