HOMELESS VETERANS BURIAL PROGRAM ENSURES DIGNIFIED REST
A Veteran who is homeless is a person who has served the country through the armed forces and is also living without access to a secure and comfortable home. Even though the United States is considered one of the wealthiest countries, homelessness rates have risen for years. Some of these Vets even die on the streets without a proper grave. However, it is good to know that there are organizations conducting the Homeless Veterans Burial Program. That way, these once heroes will have their dignity back.
Veteran Homelessness Statistics 2023: Current Trends
Despite the issue of the rising number of homeless Veterans in the U.S., the Department of Veterans Affairs has been able to reduce this over the past few years. This is with the help of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program that was rolled out in 2011. The program provides a Veteran with housing assistance, counseling, and job training.
The exact number of homeless may be challenging to obtain, but as per the collected data, there are around 37,000 homeless Veterans in 2020, with 15,000 living thoroughly unsheltered; 91% are men, and 565 are white. The highest concentration of homeless Vets is in California.
Homeless Veterans Burial Program: Honoring Their Service
Every Veteran deserves to have a proper burial. However, these benefits do not come automatically from the Veterans Affairs. It is good to know that an organization like Dignity Memorial is giving back to the community.
They have a wide range of community involvement, creating the Homeless Veterans Burial Program by partnering with other nonprofit organizations. This was designed to honor those who served and comfort those who grieve. The Giving Back program's burial and funeral services are free.
Most of the time, a lot of Vets pass away on the streets with no contact with friends or family members. Dignity Memorial believed that having those Vets' dignified funeral services is essential, including the military funeral honors they deserve. The Homeless Veterans Burial Program is a collaborative effort of various organizations and institutions among Dignity Memorial Funeral, cemetery service providers, cremation, local medical examiners, Veteran Service Organizations, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, other Veteran's advocates, and coroners.
Since the effort started, they have been able to provide burial services for more than 1,700 homeless Veterans. Some services they offer include transportation, clothing, body preparation, casket, and coordination of the funeral service at no charge. On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shoulders the opening and closing of the gravesite, a headstone or marker, a grave liner, a graveside ceremony, and perpetual care in any VA national cemetery to eligible veterans.
Dignity Memorial always takes pride in providing the most excellent service through their Homeless Veterans Burial Program to those eligible Vets. This is a great assurance that a fallen service member who has lived on the streets can still get dignity and pride through these organizations.
VA Homeless Program: Providing Essential Support for Veterans
Aside from partnering with the Homeless Veterans Burial Program, the VA also offers other benefits, especially since they want to stop homelessness among Vets.
To get help, you can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for aid.
Veterans Affairs focuses on proactively coordinating outreach to seek out Veterans needing assistance. Connecting homeless and at-risk Veterans with health care, housing solutions, community employment services, and other needed supports. Lastly, the organization collaborates with federal and state employers, faith-based and community nonprofits, local agencies, housing providers, and others to widen the affordable housing and employment options for veterans exiting homelessness.
Aside from this, homeless Vets may be qualified to receive pensions, vocational rehabilitation and employment, health care, insurance, disability compensation, education and training, home loans, and burial. To get this compensation, contact your Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator and discuss the benefits you can get from the VA.
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BY ALLISON KIRSCHBAUM
Veteran, Military History & Culture Writer at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
Credentials
Expertise
Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
