What Do the Families of Fallen Soldiers Get?
Families of fallen soldiers receive a comprehensive package of critical benefits and support designed to provide financial stability, essential services, and lasting recognition for the ultimate sacrifice made by their loved one. These provisions aim to ease the burden during a time of immense grief and ensure the family's well-being.
Immediate and Ongoing Financial Support
One of the primary concerns for families is immediate and long-term financial security. The U.S. government provides several key financial benefits to address these needs.
- Death Gratuity: The Department of Defense provides a one-time lump sum Death Gratuity of $100,000 to the primary next of kin of a service member who dies while on active duty. This payment is intended to offer immediate financial relief to the grieving family.
- Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Most service members are enrolled in SGLI, which provides up to $400,000 in life insurance coverage. The beneficiary designated by the service member receives this payout, which is typically tax-free.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a monthly tax-free monetary benefit to eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died on active duty, or veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. You can learn more about DIC here.
- Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): This is an annuity that provides eligible beneficiaries with a portion of the service member's retired pay, even if the service member died on active duty. Enrollment in SBP provides eligible survivors with a continuing monthly income.
- Unpaid Pay and Allowances: Any unpaid pay, allowances, or accrued leave are disbursed to the designated beneficiary or the service member's estate.
Healthcare and Educational Benefits
Support for fallen soldiers' families extends beyond direct financial payments to crucial services like healthcare and education, ensuring continued well-being and future opportunities.
- TRICARE: Eligible surviving family members of service members who die on active duty, or certain veterans, generally qualify for TRICARE healthcare benefits. This ensures continued access to medical care.
- Educational Assistance:
- Fry Scholarship: The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. This covers tuition, housing, and stipends. More details are available on the VA website.
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA): Also known as Chapter 35, DEA provides educational and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related disability, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related disability.
Burial and Memorial Benefits
The military and VA offer benefits to honor the fallen and assist families with dignified funeral and burial arrangements.
- Burial in National Cemeteries: Eligible service members and their families can be interred in any of the VA's national cemeteries, if space is available. This includes a grave site, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. You can find more information about burial benefits here.
- Funeral Honors: Families typically receive military funeral honors, including a flag-draped coffin, a casket team, a firing party, and the playing of "Taps."
- Burial Allowance: The VA may pay a burial allowance to assist with funeral and burial costs.
Other Support Services
Beyond direct financial and tangible benefits, families can access various support services to help them navigate their loss and adjust to new circumstances.
- Bereavement Counseling: Access to counseling and grief support services is often available through military resources and the VA.
- Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) and Support Networks: These groups provide emotional support, resources, and a sense of community for surviving families, connecting them with others who share similar experiences.
Benefits at a Glance
For a quick overview of the key benefits available to families of fallen soldiers:
| Benefit Type | Description | Administered By |
|---|---|---|
| Death Gratuity | One-time lump sum payment of $100,000 for active duty deaths. | Department of Defense |
| SGLI | Up to $400,000 in life insurance coverage. | VA (policy administrator) |
| DIC | Monthly tax-free payment to eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents. | Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
| SBP | Annuity providing a portion of service member's retired pay to eligible beneficiaries. | Department of Defense |
| TRICARE | Healthcare coverage for eligible surviving family members. | Department of Defense |
| Educational Assistance | Fry Scholarship (Post-9/11 GI Bill for survivors) and DEA (Chapter 35) for eligible dependents. | Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
| Burial & Memorial Benefits | Burial in national cemeteries, military funeral honors, burial allowances, headstones. | VA and Military Branches |
| Bereavement Counseling | Access to grief counseling and support services. | VA and Military Branches |
| Unpaid Pay & Allowances | Disbursement of accrued leave, unpaid salary, and other allowances. | Military Branches |
