The DOD and other agencies are committed to connecting survivors with resources to relieve financial stress and provide assistance with decision-making around the death of a service member. Learn about some of the most important benefits.
The National Defense Authorization Act 2014, Section 633, requires each secretary of a military department to designate a specific member to assist spouses and other dependents of service members, including Reserve Components, who die on active duty.
Gold star families – spouses, children, parents, siblings or others whose loved one died in service to our nation – are a vital part of the nation’s military community and history.
You were part of the military family when you supported your service member in his or her mission. And you’re part of the family now…and forever. That’s why the services have designed programs especially for survivors – tools and services to help you cope, make informed decisions, grieve in healthy ways and begin to envision a life with new opportunities.
The Gold Star Lapel Button Program has expanded to include stepsiblings among survivors eligible for the honor of receiving and wearing a pin recognizing the loss of their service member.
The Defense Department established eligibility requirements and the process for requesting and validating a service member for inclusion on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance.
While nothing can take away your pain after the death of a loved one, having your financial and legal affairs in order can provide some peace of mind during this difficult time.
Grief is a natural response when a loved one dies. How you grieve depends on your personality, your life experiences, the nature of your loss and your coping style.
After the death of a loved one, you may experience a wide range of emotions. That is natural. Finding your new normal after the death of a loved one is not the same for everyone.
The military ensures that service members who die on active duty receive recognition and proper burial services, and that their survivors are provided support.
Your casualty assistance officer, or CAO, or mortuary officer is there to assist you with making funeral and burial arrangements in honor of your loved one’s service and sacrifice.
The Department of Defense’s Military In Lasting Tribute memorial honors and remembers service members who died while serving honorably on active duty from 1985 to the present. It is the only DOD memorial to include peacetime deaths.
Survivors can access their online survivor benefits reports through an updated process using a linked email address.
After the death of a loved one, the last thing you want to think about is taxes. However, the government may entitle your loved one to tax forgiveness. Learn more about tax forgiveness.
It can be overwhelming to think about leaving the home you shared with your deceased service member. Even if you are hesitant about taking this big step right now, it is helpful to know your housing options and available moving benefits — as well as some practical steps to take — that may help you with your move when that day comes.
Grief is a natural response when a loved one dies. How you grieve depends on your personality, your life experiences, the nature of your loss and your coping style. While there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there are healthy ways to cope and survive the pain and find your new normal as you continue on your life’s journey.
Joining the workforce after the death or disability of a loved one can ease financial strain and provide a way to find your new normal. When seeking employment with the federal government, military family members may be eligible for special preference programs. While these programs don’t guarantee a job, they provide a qualified candidate entry into the applicant pool.
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