Postvention or Post-Suicide Checklist

What to Do After a Veteran Suicide – Updated 7/21/2021

Many of the families we talk to say that the suicide quickly becomes the least of their problems. They are right. Our guide will set expectations for what’s to come and help you find your way through these dark days to better ones ahead.

Immediate Actions

  • Once you’ve discovered a suicide, call 911. 
  • Tell the coroner or medical examiner that he/she was a Veteran and if they suffered PTSD.
  • Request that the body be held at the county/city morgue until you figure out your next move. They can and will hold a body for up to 2 months.
  • Starting tracking down any life insurance policies.
  • Contact the Veterans Administration Service Officer list below. Craig will advise you fully or direct you to your local officer.

Don’t Rush to a Funeral Home – Coroners or Medical Examiners will hold the body for up to 2 months. Get over the initial shock and take your time if there’s no plan that seems good. Once you pick a funeral home and whether to cremate or not, you’re locked into their service or pay a large transfer fee. Average burial even with VA support is $6,000 to $14,000.

Life Insurance Payouts – Most funeral homes will offer to act as a holding/transfer agent for you with the insurance company. They will subtract their fees for your service out of your money. Ask if they charge for that. Don’t like their answer? Contact your agent directly. Their response times can vary significantly.

Biohazard Clean Up – Homeowners insurance may be able to pay or repay the biohazard clean up costs. Landlords or management companies may also have this insurance.

Funeral Homes – Can be helpful, but they are in business to make as much money as possible no matter the circumstances. They should be able to connect with a crematorium if they don’t have one on-site or locally. Many don’t offer that service on-site. They’re also cash and carry – some won’t let you see your loved one until their bill is paid-in-full. It is expensive to move the body from one funeral home to another, even if it is just across town.

Direct Cremations – “A direct cremation all included” is exactly what you should ask for. National average costs range from $800 – $1,500. It is the most affordable service with ashes delivered in one or more urns. You can buy urns online and save money, too.

Sometimes the county can provide a cremation. Ask.

More About the Cremation Process and Remains Transportation

Veterans Administration Benefit Information

How To Apply For Veteran Benefits

Apply Here

You can also apply:

By mail
Apply by mail using an Application for Burial Benefits (VA Form 21P-530).
Download VA Form 21P-530 (PDF)

Mail the application and other documents listed above to your nearest VA regional office.
Find your nearest VA regional office

If you have questions, call 800-827-1000. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Our TTY number for people with hearing impairments is 711. Or call your VA regional office.

Additional Resources

NAMI – This is a nationwide mental health non-profit that offers free virtual sessions and more. All are different but free services are common to all.

County Social Services – Every county in America has a social services office. Call them. They often can help with reasonable funerals and mental health options.

Local Military Nonprofits – Start with the branch related to your Veteran served. 

Local Faith-Based Outreach Groups – they can offer financial or emotional support.

TD Foundation

www.TDFoundation.org

They grant modest financial aid like us, and they focus on children’s needs, so reaching out to them if you have kids may turn out good. Check out their website and you want to talk to Tom Deierlein – Co-Founder.

The Military Aid Society offers grants and loans interest free to retired Veterans only. There are two main MASs.

Army Emergency Relief (AER)

7117 Baltzell Ave. 

Bldg. 7

Ft. Benning, GA

(706) 545-4043 

(706) 545-3530 office

(706) 593-8955 mobile

Contact: Lionel Grant – Military Aid Society

Survivor Pension Benefit Info

Find the VFW Near You for Help With VA Claims & Separation Benefits

Navy and Marines Relief Society

There is an equivalent and that information is coming soon. Until then, please reach out to Lionel Grant at Ft. Benning above, or call Craig Bennett below.

 

Go Fund Me – Consider starting a Go Fund Me page. Other families have had success here. Hit or miss but definitely worth the time invested.

Mental Health Support

Your emotional healing may never be complete, but on our site we offer free and drug-free ways to clear your mind and find some peace. Here are some links below to get you started and feel free to roam our blog and the rest of our site for anything that may help.

National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) – This is a nationwide mental health non-profit that offers free virtual sessions and more. All are different but free services are common to all.

Click here for PTSD and depression options.

David Lynch Foundation Resilient Warrior Program for learning Transcendental Meditation. 4 in-person lessons. They are currently re-activating this program during the pandemic.

TAPS.ORG – they are the largest in the nation and it may take a while to hear back from them.

Give What You Can

ABOUT ONCE A SOLDIER

Our Veterans are killing themselves in record numbers mostly due to PTSD. An overmatched VA can’t take care of them or their families. We will.

Soldier suicide leaves Veteran families with thousands of dollars of bills unpaid, mostly bank loans.

We are the only nonprofit standing with the families after a veteran suicide. Stand with us.

Our Mission: Become the preferred channel for donors, advocates and volunteers who care about veteran families left behind after a soldier suicide.

Links for More Information: