Veterans, Why Pre-Plan? The VA Takes Care Of Everything – or do they?

Veterans are trained to be strong.  Asking for help is a sign of weakness.  We do not want to think about much less talk about our final arrangements.  Isn’t that admitting we are less than the fighting machine the US military trained us to be?  Besides, as a veteran, we have the VA who will take care of everything, right?

WRONG!

The VA is a fantastic entity doing amazing things to help veterans navigate life’s challenges, through and including our final arrangements.   However, the VA resources, while great, are limited.

Eligible Veterans have earned VA burial and memorial benefits for themselves, their spouses, and qualifying family members. Whether you choose burial in a VA national cemetery or a private cemetery your family has used for generations, these benefits play an important role in your end-of-life planning.

Starting a conversation with your loved ones can be hard, but planning in advance can save you and your family thousands of dollars, reduce your family’s stress at a difficult time, and ensure you receive the honor and remembrance you deserve.

Veterans and spouses who want to be buried in a VA national cemetery can apply to find out in advance if they are eligible. Completing the simple, online pre-need burial eligibility application is the starting point in end-of-life planning. It takes less than 10 minutes to fill out and could save your family thousands of dollars in burial costs.

But wait, I live in Land O lakes Florida.  OK, there’s a national cemetery in Bushnell.  GREAT but, how am I going to get there?  Is someone from Bushnell going to pick me up, prepare me, and transport me up to Bushnell for burial?  Hold on a minute, American Legion Post 108 owns Lutz Cemetery, I’ll just tell the VA to bury me there!  But, Lutz Cemetery isn’t a National Cemetery, will the VA do anything to help me be buried in a private cemetery like Lutz?

At a National Cemetery (like Bushnell or Bay Pines), the VA will include:

  • Burial site
  • Burial of a casket or urn
  • Government headstone or marker
  • Perpetual care
  • US flag
  • Presidential Memorial Certificate
  • Military Funeral Honors (The American Legion Post 108 Honor Guard may assist!)
  • Veterans Legacy Memorial Page.

You or your family will still need to work with a funeral home for remaining details like transportation, preparation for burial or cremation, choosing and purchasing a casket or urn.

At a private cemetery,  like Lutz Cemetery, the VA will provide the government headstone or marker (installation cost not included), US burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, Military Honors, and a Veterans Legacy Memorial Page.

As you can see, there are a lot of questions in need of answers.  There are significant benefits to gathering the answers and documenting your wishes in advance.  Most beneficial to our loved ones, is that they don’t have the added stress of having to figure it out during a time when they are grieving your loss.

Lutz Cemetery works in partnership with local funeral homes to make sure you, and your loved ones, are treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity.  Established in 1911 on land donated by C.E. Thomas of the North Tampa Land Company, Lutz Cemetery has served as a cherished resting place for generations of local families, veterans, and community pioneers. The cemetery’s first burial, Mr. Nims in 1914, marked the beginning of its enduring legacy as a historic landmark in Lutz, Florida.

Today, American Legion Post 108 of Land O’ Lakes proudly maintains and operates the cemetery, honoring its rich heritage while ensuring it remains a dignified, peaceful sanctuary. With graves dating back over a century, the cemetery reflects the stories of early settlers, war heroes, and beloved community members who shaped Lutz’s history.

We are committed to preserving this sacred ground through careful maintenance, historical documentation, and community engagement. Whether you’re visiting to pay respects, research genealogy, or connect with local history, Lutz Cemetery stands as a timeless tribute to those who came before us.

Meet our Lutz Cemetery team here, and please reach out if you have any questions.   https://lutzcemetery.org/about