WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), members of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced the Veterans Burial Assistance Act, legislation to help expedite the process of certifying a veteran’s passing and minimize or avoid delays in benefits owed to their loved ones. Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN-06) introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

“Ensuring that a death certificate – an important legal document – is provided to a veteran’s loved ones in a timely manner after their passing is crucial not only for emotional closure, but necessary for a variety of legal, financial and administrative matters,” said Boozman. “Without one, it is difficult to access survivor and burial benefits and further assistance from the VA. Our bill ensures that veterans who pass away in VA care promptly receive this fully executed, vital document.”

“While we can never fully repay the debt that we owe to veterans for their service to our country, we can help ensure that as their families work to lay their loved one to rest, they receive the support that they have earned and deserve,” said Hassan. “This commonsense legislation will help ensure that when a veteran passes away, their death certificate is processed quickly so that their loved ones can experience the closure and certainty that comes with a dignified burial.”

“Our duty to our veterans must not end with their final breath,” Emmer said. “With this commonsense reform, no veteran family will be denied closure – or forced to endure uncertainty – when burying one of our nation’s heroes.”

The Veterans Burial Assistance Act would require the signing of a veteran’s death certificate by a VA doctor or nurse practitioner within 48 hours of notification for any veteran whose primary care doctor is employed by the VA, regardless of where the veteran passes. When the VA is unable to meet this timeline, the local coroner or medical examiner may sign the death certificate.

The signing of a death certificate for veterans who have died of natural causes has been delayed for as many as eight weeks, preventing loved ones from receiving death benefits in a timely manner and forcing local governments to pay for the veteran’s body to be stored until the death certificate is signed and a burial can be performed.

The bill is supported by AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America and With Honor.

Bill text is available here.