Jim,
I have e-mailed you before and you like always spot on. My wife was crying one day last week and asked me a question I could not answer, there may be more veterans like me out there but are afraid to ask.
What does she do if one day she wakes up and I have passed away? who does she call and in what order does she call. I am a 60% disabled 22 year Air Force retiree. That question has bothered me ever since. Do you have any thoughts on this.
I read the watchdog every day and enjoy what others are going through and I do appreciate your comments on this.
Reply:
When you die, if you die of a service connected condition, she may be entitled to survivors benefits such as DIC. She will want to notify the VA in writing and provide them with a death certificate.
If you want to be buried at a VA cemetery or if she wants help paying for funeral expenses, the funeral home will usually make all those arrangements.
Advance planning is always a great idea. Be sure to have all your papers in order. Provide addresses of the VA regional office and so on. These things can be very complex in day to day life and are much harder for a grieving widow.
You can investigate it all now...including any retirement benefits...and she'll be much better off.
Keep in mind that cause of death is important. Dying of a service connected condition brings more benefits. There's more about DIC here
http://www.vawatchdog.org/Benefits_Guide.html