Healing After the Loss of a Loved One
Whether it’s the loss of a battle buddy or the passing of a family member, dealing with a death can be difficult. For some Veterans, grief can interfere with everyday life. There are ways to overcome challenges related to the loss of a friend or family member. Hear from Veterans who reached out for support and discovered ways to heal.
Related Videos
Check the VA On Bereavement page for complete descriptions and understand, with answers to questions like:
What Should I Know About Experiencing The Death Of Family Or Friends?
What Should I Keep An Eye Out For After The Loss Of A Friend Or Family Member?
When the end comes, these are some of the things you have to take care of for your loved one
| Affiliation | URL | What to Do |
| eBenefits (if receiving a disability claim) | https://www.ebenefits.va.gov | 1-800-827-1000, When asked state, “Reporting the death of a veteran.” |
| Medicare | https://www.medicare.gov | Make sure you have the person’s Social Security Number. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). |
| My Pay (if retired military) | https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx | https://www.dfas.mil/retired |
| Social Security | http://www.socialsecurity.gov | Make sure you have the person’s Social Security Number. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, OR at the site http://www.socialsecurity.gov click MENU then Survivors for the information when one of us dies. |
Non-VA Local Help
Know A Vet? presents this information and these national resource directories, not as a recommendation of any specific service or provider, but as a starting point for your own research.
Please feel free to use the check sheets Before, During and After the Medical Appointment and Choosing a Medical Service Provider to help you in your search for the best help for your individual circumstances.
In addition, there may be other federal, state and local government or private resources for your individual needs.
VA, Government, and Organization Help
Know A Vet? presents this information and these national resource directories, not as a recommendation of any specific service or provider, but as a starting point for your own research.
Clicking here will bring you to a database of other VA services you can locate by zip code.
Please also check out our page on Filing Claims. We recommend that you do NOT file claims on your own. If you do not file exactly the way the VA looks for information, it can take literally years for your claim to go back and forth before approval or denial.
The other resources listed, such as your local Veterans Service Office (names vary by county), VSO counselor, VFW, etc., will help you determine what you are eligible for and file correctly for results in as little as a few weeks.
Learn More – Get More
Learn more about what it feels like to live your best life. Go to our Self Help page to explore other issues that can bring you “All The Way Home.”
Also, check out the Claims and Appeals topic to maximize compensation and benefits for yourself AND your loved ones.
It’s your turn to get your best life back! You EARNED it with your service!
