At our Egizi Funeral Home, our staff members consider it a great honor to help veteran families craft services for their loved ones. We want every family we serve to have clarity around all the forms of assistance available to them. Veterans service organizations (VSOs) aid and support veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors. Knowing the role of VSOs can help you find useful information when you need it most.

 

What are VSOs?

VSOs are non-government organizations that operate at state, county, regional, or local levels. Examples of VSOs include the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Red Cross, and Disabled American Veterans. To receive assistance from a particular VSO, a veteran will need to be a member of the organization. We recommend visiting each group’s website to find local contacts for these organizations. There’s no comprehensive list of VSOs available, but the Veterans Affairs website can provide more information on these organizations.

 

VSOs can assist you with applying for veterans’ benefits.  

Any veteran who was not dishonorably discharged qualifies for some type of benefit. These benefits may include a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC), a burial flag, burial allowances, and veteran headstones and grave markers. Your veteran may also qualify for burial in a national or state veteran cemetery. Applying for veterans’ benefits can be a complicated, confusing process, and families may require some assistance. VSOs, much like funeral home staff members, may be able to help your family navigate the process of applying for veterans’ benefits.

 

VSOs can help you engage with the larger community.

VSOs are well acquainted with the local veteran community and its needs. A VSO may organize a fundraising event to support homeless veterans, a job fair to benefit local unemployed veterans, or a workshop to help veterans pursue opportunities in higher education. A VSO may connect families with veteran service officers who can provide benefit counseling and claim service to local veterans. VSOs can also help veterans navigate the difficult transition from military service to civilian life.

 

If you’d like to learn more about our veterans’ services, please contact our caring staff. We are always ready to provide more information about honoring a veteran loved one.