Veterans Services

Many of us take our freedoms for granted, but our staff at Anello Funeral & Cremation services, P.C. proudly acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who have served our country through their patriotism, love of country and willingness to protect others.

Our staff is committed to providing quality service and professional assistance to help families complete the necessary forms to obtain benefits that are provided through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for deceased veterans.

The burial benefits offered to veterans depend on factors such as the individual veteran's circumstances and the specific types of benefits they were entitled to receive. All honorably discharged veterans are entitled to Burial in a National Cemetery, a burial flag, Military Honors, a Veteran’s grave marker or headstone and a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also be eligible for Burial Allowances. Our services include assisting you in securing any or all of the above listed benefits. You may also find additional information by visiting National Cemetery Administration Burial Benefits. 

Click here for Eligibility requirements. 

The nearest National Cemetery to the Chicagoland area is Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago in Elwood, IL. 

The fundamental Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony includes the respectful folding and presentation of the United States flag to the family of the veteran, along with the solemn playing of Taps. This ceremony is carried out by a funeral honors detail comprising a minimum of two members from the Armed Forces.

The specific Funeral Honors accorded to either you or your veteran will be determined based on the veteran's status. These honors can range from Full Military Honors, a 7-Person Detail, to a Standard Honors Team Detail.



It is ensured that at least one member of the funeral honors detail represents the branch of the Armed Forces in which the deceased veteran served. Taps may be performed by a bugler, or in the absence of one, a high-quality recorded rendition may be used. Upon request from the veteran or family, Military Funeral Honor Teams may also serve as Pall Bearers.

⦁ Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.

⦁ Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.

⦁ Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.

⦁ Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

⦁ Any person separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions or whose character of service results in a bar to veteran's benefits. 

⦁ Any person who was ordered to report to an induction station, but was not actually inducted into military service. 

⦁ Any person discharged from the Selected Reserve prior to completing one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service for reasons other than a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

⦁ Any person convicted of a Federal or State capital crime are sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

The preferred method is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other than dishonorable service can be used. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180 and sending it to:

National Personnel Records Center(NPRC)

1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63138

The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from the National Records Center or via the following web site: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

Yes. Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible to receive funeral honors.

For NOAA personnel, eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16, Report of Transfer or Discharge. If the family does not have a copy of the NOAA Form 56-16, it may by obtained by contacting the Chief, Officer Services Division, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center at (301) 713-7715. or by writing:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Commissioned Personnel Center 

Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1) 

1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100 

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910



For PHS personnel, funeral honors eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867, Statement of Service (equivalent to the DD Form 214). If the family does not have a copy of the Statement of Service, it may be obtained by contacting the Privacy Coordinator for the Commissioned Corps at (240) 453-6041 or writing:

Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC 

Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator 

5600 Fishers Lane 

4-36 

Rockville, Maryland 20857

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers, upon request and without charge to the requester, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible veteran, regardless of their date of death and the cemetery's location worldwide. For eligible veterans who passed away on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also supply a headstone or marker for graves already marked with a private headstone or marker. In cases where the grave is already marked, applicants can choose between a traditional headstone or marker, or a new device (available starting spring 2009).

Various options such as flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze, as well as upright headstones in granite and marble, are available. The chosen style must align with existing monuments at the burial site. Niche markers are also offered to designate columbaria used for the placement of cremated remains.

In instances where burial or memorialization occurs in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, the cemetery authorities will arrange for a headstone or marker based on inscription details provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.

Spouses and dependents are not entitled to a Government-provided headstone or marker unless they are interred in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.

Please note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.

For additional information, visit: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hmm/index.asp

A complimentary United States flag is provided to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. This gesture serves as a tribute to the veteran's committed military service to the nation. The VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for:

Typically, the flag is presented to the next-of-kin as a memento following its use during the funeral ceremony. In instances where there is no next-of-kin, the VA will provide the flag to a friend upon request. Families of veterans interred in VA national cemeteries featuring an Avenue of Flags have the option to donate the burial flags of their loved ones for display on patriotic holidays.

You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you obtain the flag.

The law allows us to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen. However, some veterans' organizations or other community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the casket is open or closed. VA Form 27-2008 provides the correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.