Monroe County Veteran Burial Allowance and Marker Installation

Michigan requires every county to pay at least $300 toward the burial of a qualifying wartime veteran or the veteran's spouse or surviving spouse (MCL 35.801; see the Michigan entry on the county burial allowance). Monroe County pays $300 and adds $50 toward the cost of installing a military government marker at the grave; the marker itself is free. The county's check registers show the payments as single $300 or $350 disbursements each month. Who qualifies, by the county's page. An honorable discharge with at least 90 days of recognized wartime service, and assets under $40,000 at death not counting a home of residence. Bring the military discharge (DD-214 or equivalent), a certified death certificate and an itemized funeral bill to the Department of Veterans Affairs at 965 South Raisinville Road. The application must be within two years of the date of death, which matches the statute. Spouses. The county page says a spouse "is not eligible for a military government marker but is entitled to county reimbursement in the event of their death, paid to the veteran". The statute pays the $300 for a spouse or surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran directly; a family in that position should apply and cite 35.801.