Veteran Services

Veteran Service Options

Many of us enjoy our freedoms every day without a second thought. At Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, we proudly honor the courage, patriotism, and selfless service of those who have served our country. We recognize the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans and are committed to assisting families coordinate honors their loved ones have earned.

Our staff will assist you in arranging at-need burial services at Black Hills National Cemetery and in coordinating available Veterans Affairs benefits.

Families may contact the Pennington County Veterans Service Office to determine eligibility and receive guidance on available benefits:

Please note: While we are unable to assist with completing VA benefit forms, we strongly encourage families to utilize the free services provided by the Pennington County Veterans Service Office for assistance with applications and documentation.

VA Burial Benefits & Memorial Items

VA burial benefits are designed to help service members, veterans, and their families plan and cover certain burial and memorial expenses when services take place in a VA national cemetery. Memorial items are provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs to appropriately honor those who served our country.

Who Qualifies for Burial in a VA National Cemetery?

The following individuals may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, provided they

meet established requirements:

• Veterans who were not dishonorably discharged
• Service members who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training
• Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans
• In some cases, unmarried adult dependent children of veterans
  

Military Funeral Honors & Committal Services

Military Funeral Honors may include the playing of “Taps,” a rifle detail, a color guard, and uniformed service members who fold and present the United States flag to the family. The burial flag is typically presented to the veteran’s next of kin.

To qualify for Military Funeral Honors and the burial flag, the veteran or reservist must meet at

least one of the following criteria:

• Served during a time of war
• Died while serving on active duty after May 27, 1941
• Served after January 31, 1955
• Served in peacetime prior to June 27, 1950 and completed at least one enlistment, or was discharged due to a service-connected disability
• Served in the Selected Reserves or in the Philippine military forces in service of the United States and died on or after April 25, 1951

Burial Allowances & How to Apply

VA burial benefits may help cover certain funeral, burial, and transportation expenses. For burials in a national cemetery, eligible survivors may receive assistance with:

• Burial and funeral costs
• Plot or interment
• Transportation of remains

Claims for non-service-connected burial allowances must be filed within two years of burial or cremation. There is no time limit for service-connected burial, plot, or interment allowances.

Families may apply:

• Online at: https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/application/530/introduction
• By mail using VA Form 21P-530
• Or through the Pennington County Veterans Service Office

Headstones, Markers & Memorial Items

Eligible veterans who were not dishonorably discharged — or service members who died while on active duty — may qualify for a government-furnished headstone or marker at no charge.

To learn more about eligibility, please visit:

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/

For unmarked graves, the Department of Veterans Affairs will also provide a headstone, grave marker, or niche marker at no cost. To request these items, complete VA Form 10-1330 and mail to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

5109 Russell Road

Quantico, VA 22134-3909

For additional information regarding VA burial benefits and memorial items, visit: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or contact the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000.