What to do when a veteran dies

Official Statements

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “There are a number of services and support packages available to families after a veteran or service person has died.”

  Registering the death

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “You should register the death and tell the government. You’ll also need to tell banks, utility companies and landlords or housing associations yourself.”

  If the veteran was receiving compensation

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “If the veterans was getting compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or the War Pension Scheme (WPS), call 0808 1914 218 (option 3 for bereavements).”

  If the veteran was not receiving compensation

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “If the veteran was a member of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) and not receiving payments from the AFCS or WPS, please notify Equiniti of the death.”

  Claiming funeral costs

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “You can claim funeral costs where: ”

  • death was due to service before 6 April 2005, or
  • War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance was being paid, or would have been paid had the War Pensioner not been in hospital when they died, or
  • Unemployability Supplement was in payment at the time of death and the War Pension was being paid at 80% or higher

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “Check to see if you are entitled to claim funeral expenses.”

  If the death was caused by service on or after 6 April 2005

  Claiming compensation

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “If your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of service in the UK armed forces on or after 6 April 2005, you should claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Check to see if you can claim compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.”

  Further family entitlements

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “You may also be eligible to other entitlements. Check if you can claim entitlements after a veteran has died due to service on or after 6 April 2005.”

  If the death was caused by service before 6 April 2005

  Claiming compensation

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “If your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of service in the UK armed forces or during a time of war before 6 April 2005, you should see if you are entitled to a War Widow(er)’s Pension. Check to see if you are entitled to a War Widow(er)’s Pension. They must have served before 6 April 2005, but you may be eligible if they died as a result of their illness or injury later.”

  Getting bereavement support

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “There are a number of organisations that can provide bereavement support and advice at this difficult time.”

  MoD Veterans Services

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “Veterans Services help bereaved families by arranging access to all appropriate services. Help and guidance is available over telephone or face-to-face through a national network of welfare managers.”

  Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) manage and co-ordinate practical needs following the death of a person in service and give advice and guidance to visiting officers. ”

  Purple Pack bereavement guide for families of service personnel

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “The Purple Pack bereavement guide for families of service personnel provides information and support to those who have lost a loved one while in service.”

  Help is at Hand booklet

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “The Help is at Hand booklet is a resource for people bereaved through suicide or other unexplained death, and for those helping them. The booklet is supported by Public Health England, the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and the Support after Suicide Partnership.”

  Find more organisations

• UK Ministry of Defence, November 11: “To search and filter support organisations by topic and location, visit the GOV.UK directory for veteran support. Search veteran support directory”