Fillable Va Form 27-2008 - Application For United States Flag For Burial Purposes (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

INSTRUCTIONS

A. How can I contact VA if I have questions?

D. Who is not eligible for a burial flag? (Continued)

If you have questions about this form, how to fill it out, or about

Persons who were discharged from World War I service prior

benefits, contact your nearest VA regional office. You can locate the

to November 12, 1918, on their own application or solicitation

address of the nearest regional office in your telephone book blue pages

by reason of being an alien, or any veterans discharged for

under "United States Government, Veterans" or call 1-800-827-1000

alienage during a period of hostilities.

(Hearing Impaired TDD line 1-800-829-4833). You may also contact

VA by Internet at https://iris.va.gov/.

Persons who served with any of the forces allied with the

United States in any war, even though United States citizens,

B. How do I apply for a burial flag?

if they did not serve with the United States armed forces.

Complete VA Form 27-2008, and submit it to a funeral director or a

representative of the veteran or other organization having charge of the

Persons inducted for training and service who, before entering

funeral arrangements or acting in the interest of the veteran. You may

such training and service were transferred to the Enlisted

get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. When burial is

Reserve Corps and given a furlough.

in a national, State or military post cemetery, a burial flag will be

provided.

Former temporary members of the United States Coast Guard

Reserve.

C. Who is eligible for a burial flag?

Generally, veterans with an other than dishonorable discharge.

E. What documentation is required in order to receive a burial flag?

Note: This includes veterans who served in the Philippine

Provide a copy of the veteran's discharge documents that shows service

military forces while such forces were in the service of the U.S.

dates and the character of service, such as DD Form 214, or verification

armed forces under the President's Order of July 26, 1941 and

of service from the veteran's service department or VA. Various

died on or after April 25, 1951, and veterans who served in

information requested, is considered essential to the proper processing of

the Philippine military services are eligible for burial in a

the application. Ensure these areas are completed as fully as possible.

national cemetery.

Note: If the claimant is unable to provide documentary proof, a flag may

be issued when a statement is made by a person of established character

Veterans who were entitled to retired pay for service in the

and reputation that he/she personally knows the deceased to have been a

reserves, or would have been entitled to such pay but not for

veteran who meets the eligibility criteria.

being under 60 years of age.

F. Who is eligible to receive a burial flag?

Only one flag may be issued for each deceased veteran. Generally, the

Members or former members of the Selected Reserve

flag is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake after its use during the

(Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Naval

funeral service. The flag is given to the following person(s) in the order

Reserve; Air National Guard; or Army National Guard) who

of precedence listed:

served at least one enlistment or, in the case of an officer, the

period of initial obligation, or were discharged for disability

surviving spouse

incurred or aggravated in line of duty, or died while a member

of the Selected Reserve.

children, according to age

D. Who is not eligible for a burial flag?

Veterans who received a dishonorable discharge.

parents, including adoptive, stepparents, and foster parents

Members of the Selected Reserve whose last discharge from

brothers or sisters, including brothers or sisters of half blood

service was under conditions less favorable than honorable.

uncles or aunts

Peacetime veterans who were discharged before June 27, 1950

and did not serve at least one complete enlistment or incur or

nephews or nieces

aggravate a disability in the line of duty.

others, such as cousins or grandparents

Veterans who were convicted of a Federal capital crime and

sentenced to death or life imprisonment, or were convicted of

When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making

a State capital crime and sentenced to death or life

a request for it. If there is no living relative or one cannot be located, and

imprisonment without parole, or were found to have committed

no friend requests the flag, it must be returned to the nearest VA facility.

a Federal or State capital crime but were not convicted by

Note: The flag cannot be replaced if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen.

reason of not being available for trial due to death or flight to

avoid prosecution.

Additionally, a flag may not be issued after burial unless it was

impossible to obtain a flag in time to drape the casket or accompany the

Discharged or rejected draftees, or members of the National

urn before burial. If the next-of-kin or friend is requesting the flag after

the veteran's burial, he or she must personally sign the application and

Guard, who reported to camp in answer to the President's call

for World War I service but who, when medically examined,

explain in Item 15 "Remarks" the reason that prevented timely

were not finally accepted for military service.

application for a burial flag.

VA FORM 27-2008, MAR 2015

Va Form 27-2008 - Application For United States Flag For Burial Purposes Page 2

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