The DD-214: One Piece of Paper Every Veteran's Family Should Know About

There are certain documents most of us know our family may eventually need.

A birth certificate.

A marriage certificate.

A will.

Insurance policies.

Banking information.

But if you or someone you love served in the United States military, there is another document that deserves a place on that list.

The DD-214.

For many veterans, it may be tucked away in a filing cabinet, stored in an old folder, placed in a safe deposit box, or mixed in with military records that haven't been touched in decades.

And the family may have no idea where it is.

Then the veteran dies.

Suddenly, during one of the most difficult days of their lives, the family hears the funeral director ask:

"Do you have a copy of the DD-214?"

Sometimes the answer is immediate.

"Yes. Dad kept it with all his important papers."

Other times, everyone looks at one another.

"His what?"

That's why this is a conversation worth having before the document is needed.

What Is a DD-214?

The DD-214, formally known as the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty , is issued when a service member separates or is released from qualifying active military service.

Think of it as one of the most important summaries of a veteran's military service.

Depending upon the veteran and the version of the document, it can contain information such as:

• Branch of service
• Dates of active service
• Rank or pay grade
• Military occupational specialty
• Decorations, medals and awards
• Military education
• Type and character of discharge

For a veteran, it represents much more than information printed on a government form.

Behind those dates may be years spent away from home.

Behind those awards may be acts of courage and service.

Behind the rank may be a young man or woman who once raised a hand and took an oath to serve our country.

And when that veteran dies, the DD-214 can become an important document in helping establish that record of service.

Why Does the Funeral Home Ask for It?

One of the responsibilities we have when caring for the family of a veteran is helping determine eligibility for military funeral honors and other veteran-related memorial benefits.

The DD-214 is often the most useful document for verifying military service.

When military funeral honors are requested, documentation may be needed to establish eligibility.

That is why your funeral director may ask for the veteran's discharge papers very early in the arrangement process.

We aren't asking because we want to create another task for a grieving family.

We're asking because we want to make sure the veteran receives every honor to which he or she is entitled.

What Are Military Funeral Honors?

For an eligible veteran, military funeral honors generally include at least two uniformed members of the Armed Forces, with at least one representing the veteran's branch of service.

The ceremony includes the playing of Taps and the ceremonial folding and presentation of the United States flag to the veteran's family.

Depending upon eligibility and available resources, additional honors may sometimes be provided.

If you've ever witnessed military honors at a funeral, you know that it is difficult to describe the emotion of that moment.

Conversation stops.

People become still.

Taps begins to play.

The flag that has rested over the veteran's casket—or has otherwise been incorporated into the ceremony—is carefully folded.

Then a member of our Armed Forces presents that flag to someone who loved the veteran.

It is a brief ceremony.

But behind those few minutes is an entire story of service.

The DD-214 May Help With More Than the Funeral

Military funeral honors aren't the only reason this document can be important.

A veteran's military records may also be needed when applying for certain benefits or memorial items for which the veteran or family may qualify.

Depending upon eligibility and circumstances, these can include things such as:

• A burial flag
• A government-furnished headstone, marker or medallion
• Burial or inurnment in an eligible veterans cemetery
• A Presidential Memorial Certificate
• Certain VA burial or transportation benefits

Eligibility requirements differ among programs, and not every veteran or family qualifies for every benefit.

That's another reason having the veteran's military documentation available can make the process much easier.

"We Can't Find Dad's DD-214. What Do We Do?"

First, don't panic.

This happens.

A lot.

Consider how much time may have passed since some veterans left military service.

Someone who served during Vietnam may have separated from the military more than 50 years ago. For a Korean War veteran, it may have been more than 70 years. Some families we serve are caring for veterans whose military service dates back even further.

That's a long time to keep track of a piece of paper.

If the original DD-214 or other separation document cannot be located, military records can often be requested through the appropriate government records process. Veterans and next of kin may be able to request military service records through the National Archives or other appropriate federal resources.

Your funeral director can also help explain what documentation may be needed when military honors are being arranged.

The important thing is to tell us about the veteran's service.

Don't assume that because you cannot immediately locate the paperwork, there is nothing that can be done.

A Word About Older Veterans

There is another important point families should understand.

Not every veteran received a document actually called a DD-214 .

The DD-214 came into use in the 1950s. Veterans who separated from service before then may have received other discharge or separation documents.

So if Grandpa served during World War II and the family cannot find something labeled "DD-214," that doesn't necessarily mean his military documentation is missing.

He may simply have been issued a different type of separation document.

Again, this is where your funeral director can help determine what information may be useful.

If You Are a Veteran, Do Your Family a Favor

If you're reading this and you served in the military, there is something very simple you can do for the people you love.

Find your discharge paperwork.

Make sure it is stored somewhere safe.

Then—and this part is just as important—

tell somebody where it is.

Your spouse.

Your son or daughter.

The person who would likely be responsible for making your funeral arrangements.

You don't necessarily need to hand the document to everyone in the family. You simply need to make sure someone knows how to access it when the time comes.

You might also consider keeping other important information with it, including your wishes concerning burial or cremation, cemetery information, life insurance information, and any preferences you have regarding your funeral or memorial service.

Planning ahead doesn't have to mean planning every detail of your funeral.

Sometimes it simply means making things a little easier for the people you love.

And Families—Ask the Questions Now

If your father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, spouse or another person you love served in the military, ask them about it.

Not only:

"Where is your DD-214?"

Ask about the story behind it.

Where did you serve?

What was your job?

Where were you stationed?

Who were your closest friends?

What do you remember about basic training?

What was the hardest part?

What are you proudest of?

Are there photographs somewhere?

What do your medals mean?

Are there stories you've never told us?

Because someday the paperwork will help us document that they served.

But their stories will help future generations understand who they were.

Service Deserves to Be Remembered

At Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care, it is always a privilege when a family entrusts a veteran to our care.

We believe military service deserves to be recognized with dignity, gratitude and respect.

The DD-214 may look like just another government form.

But when the time comes to honor a veteran's life, that piece of paper can help open the door to honors that represent something much greater.

It represents service.

It represents sacrifice.

It represents a commitment made to our country.

So if there is a veteran in your family, don't wait until everyone is gathered around a funeral arrangement table searching through drawers and boxes.

Find the paperwork.

Put it somewhere safe.

Make sure someone knows where it is.

And while you have the opportunity, ask about the stories behind it.

The document preserves the record of their service.

The family preserves the story.

And both are worth keeping.

Rex Allen Bennett, Owner & Licensed Funeral Director

Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care

"Friendly Faces. Compassionate Care."

If you have questions about military funeral honors or planning funeral arrangements for a veteran, our family is always honored to help yours understand the options and benefits that may be available.