Burial & Memorial Benefits: A Guide to Veteran Death Benefits

### Understanding Veterans Burial & Memorial Benefits

Planning for the end of life can be especially complex for Veterans and their families. Many people are unaware of the burial, memorial, and financial benefits that may be available—or how to access them when they are needed.

Please join Death Talk MeetUp and Bravo Family Mortuary for a practical and compassionate conversation about Veterans burial and memorial benefits.

Licensed Funeral Director Lena Bravo-Olsher will help Veterans, spouses, adult children, caregivers, and community members better understand the resources available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

### What We’ll Discuss

During this informative presentation, Lena will provide an overview of:

• Eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery
• Gravesites and columbarium spaces
• Opening and closing of a grave or urn site
• Perpetual care of the gravesite
• Government-furnished headstones, markers, and medallions
• U.S. burial flags
• Presidential Memorial Certificates
• Burial and plot allowances
• Potential transportation reimbursement
• Benefits related to cremation and burial at sea
• Documents families should gather in advance
• Steps Veterans and families can take now to prepare

Eligible Veterans may receive certain national cemetery services at no cost to their families.

Additional financial allowances or reimbursements may also be available depending on the Veteran’s service, circumstances of death, burial location, and other eligibility requirements.
There will be time for questions following the presentation.

#### Leadership Announcement & Gratitude

We will also take a special moment to honor Dr. Mitsuo Tomita, a retired family physician who founded and faithfully led Death Talk MeetUp for the past eight years.

Through his compassion, curiosity, and commitment to open conversation, Dr. Tomita created a welcoming community where people could explore death, dying, and end-of-life planning without fear or judgment.

As he passes leadership of the group to Empowered Endings, we look forward to celebrating his remarkable contribution and continuing the meaningful work he began. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

### Meet Your Speaker

Lena Bravo-Olsher is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in California and Illinois and the co-founder of Bravo Family Mortuary.

Having lost both of her parents at a young age, Lena understands firsthand the pain and complexity that can accompany the death of a loved one. That personal experience shaped her commitment to helping families navigate funeral planning with clarity, compassion, and as little additional stress as possible.

Lena graduated with honors from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science and is an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association. She and her husband, Steve, lead Bravo Family Mortuary with a shared commitment to caring for every family with dignity and respect.

“Saying goodbye to a loved one is incredibly difficult. We welcome the opportunity to allow our family to take care of yours.” - Lena & Steve

### About Bravo Family Mortuary

Bravo Family Mortuary is a family-owned, independent, full-service funeral home serving the San Diego community.

Combining modern amenities with timeless traditions, Bravo Family Mortuary offers personalized funeral, cremation, burial, preparation, and ceremonial services—including environmentally conscious options.

As a non-denominational funeral home, Bravo Family Mortuary welcomes and serves all families, including Veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals and families of every faith tradition or no religious affiliation. Each service is thoughtfully tailored to honor the life, values, culture, and wishes of the person who has died.

#### Parking

Complimentary parking is available in the Bravo Family Mortuary parking, on the street or in the McDonald's parking lot closest to our building.

#### Everyone Is Welcome

You do not need to be a Veteran or have prior knowledge of VA benefits to attend.
Bring your curiosity, your questions, and an open heart. We look forward to sharing this meaningful and practical conversation with you.

Death Talk MeetUp
Encouraging Conversations. Empowering Choices.

This presentation is intended for general educational purposes. VA benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and may change. Attendees should consult the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or an accredited Veterans service representative regarding their individual circumstances.