Monroe County Burial Allowance and Headstone Benefits

The duties are the State's, under 16 Pa.C.S. Chapter 155; see the Pennsylvania entry on county burial and grave benefits. The Veterans Affairs office administers the claims; no application form is posted - the office's published rules are its benefits list and headstone FAQ, and the first step is an appointment on (570) 517-3187. Burial allowance. "The county benefits" list opens with the "$100.00 county death benefit for burial for Veterans or widow". The State's one-year filing rule (sections 15509 and 15510) applies. Headstone installation. "Monroe County, a 4th class county of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is permitted under County Code to provide a maximum installation fee/reimbursement of $100.00. This benefit only applies to wartime Veterans. Monroe County is not permitted by law to pay the above fee for peacetime Veterans." Section 15513 makes setting the base for a federal headstone - or lettering on an existing family memorial - an actual-cost county duty approved before the work starts; the wartime-only limit is the county's own reading, so a peacetime family should still ask. Engraving. "Monroe County provides by regulation $75.00 toward engraving/inscription of a privately purchased headstone existing upon the Veteran's grave where a U.S. Government headstone/marker does not exist." The next of kin or personal representative applies after presenting the paid bill for the completed work. Flags and grave records. "Monroe County provides by regulation (1) flag holder for the Veteran's grave and/or a replacement flag holder and (1) U.S. Grave Flag for the holder on Memorial Day (yearly)" - and the benefits list adds Veterans Day flags and the placing of them. The office keeps the grave registrations of veterans buried in the county.