Supports Military Families in Greatest Time of Need
(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrat Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) to ease the burden of costs many military families’ bear when it comes time to lay a beloved veteran to rest recently became law.
Prior to the signing of this bill, if a war veteran dies without leaving means sufficient to cover funeral expenses, the veteran’s county of residence is responsible for burial up to a cost of $250. The new law (A-1898) provides additional help for the burial or cremation of all indigent veterans, including those who did not serve at a time of war. The law also will require the state to cover burial and cremation costs above $250, but total costs would not exceed $1,250 for cremation or burial.
Vanieri Huttle said the amount offered to veterans is nominal compared to their invaluable service in the military. “It is proper and fitting that our military families be given support in this way for their years of service and dedication to their country.”
The county medical examiner or designees are responsible for the positive identification. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will notify the supervisor of veteran’s internment or county medical examiner regarding determination of veteran status. If the person was a veteran, the supervisor of veterans’ interment or county medical examiner, as appropriate, must see to the burial or cremation within 72 hours of notification of veteran status.
Internment, under the new law, will be provided in a county veteran’s cemetery or, if appropriate, the Brigadier General William C Doyle Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery.