Petition to the U.S. Congress: SP4 Luke Cash Bill for Equal Veterans Death and Burial Benefits:

SP4 Luke Cash honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era (1961–1963), assigned to the 67th Evacuation Hospital at Fort Carson, Colorado. After his discharge in 1963, he built a civilian life—marrying, raising a family, and working hard to provide for them. Like many veterans, Luke never engaged with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or filed a disability claim.

When Luke passed away in 2024, he chose Lawndale Park, a community cemetery in Houston, Texas, as his final resting place. His daughter, Josie, honoring his wishes on a modest income, covered more than $8,000 in burial costs. Expecting some government assistance for his service, she applied for VA death and burial allowances.

Weeks later, she received a denial letter. Despite Luke’s honorable wartime service, he was ineligible for any portion of the $2,000 maximum benefit or transportation reimbursement. Why? Because he never filed a VA disability claim, nor did he die in a VA hospital or under VA care.

If Luke had chosen a national cemetery, all costs—including perpetual care—would have been fully covered, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Yet, his family was denied a modest $2,000 to help with his burial in a private cemetery.

This is unjust and fundamentally wrong. Veterans who serve our nation, risking their lives for our freedoms, should not have their burial benefits tied to whether they filed a disability claim. In reality, those who never sought taxpayer-funded disability compensation should automatically qualify for the burial allowance—no questions asked. Had Luke filed a claim, he could have received hundreds of thousands in benefits during his lifetime. But because he didn’t, his family was left with nothing.

Burial benefits should be based on a veteran’s service—not a disability rating!

BACKGROUND:

This issue disproportionately affects those who served in wartime or peace, earned medals such as the Purple Heart, and contributed to society, but never filed for disability compensation.

The current system allows free burial in National or State cemeteries but excludes those veterans who wish to be buried in community cemeteries alongside their families. Furthermore, the $2,000 burial allowance is insufficient to cover the rising costs of funerals in private cemeteries. This is a systemic issue that needs immediate attention.

THE ISSUE:

The VA offers burial benefits, such as a flag, honor guard, grave marker, and Presidential Memorial Certificates, but these do not fully address the financial burden placed on families. Veterans without a disability rating are denied burial allowances, even if they served honorably in combat or peace.

Many veterans prefer to be buried in community cemeteries, near their loved ones. However, those who do not have a disability rating are denied burial allowances, leaving families to cover the full cost. This is an unfair system that fails to recognize the sacrifices of all veterans, regardless of whether they receive VA compensation.

THE EXAMPLE:

Consider the case of a Korean War veteran who served honorably for 3 years, but never filed for disability compensation. After his wife and two children tragically died in a plane crash, he buried them in a local cemetery. When he passed away years later, his surviving child, struggling financially, was denied burial benefits because the father had no VA disability rating. Meanwhile, a soldier with a 10% disability rating, despite not serving in combat, would be eligible for the same benefits. This highlights the inequality in the current system.

THE GOAL:

Expand Eligibility for Burial Benefits: Allow ALL veterans, regardless of disability rating, to receive burial benefits.
Increase Burial Allowance: Raise the current burial allowance to better reflect the rising costs of funerals.
Ensure Perpetual Care of Veterans’ Graves: Legislate for the upkeep and maintenance of veterans' graves, ensuring they are always clean, readable, dignified, and marked with a flag and flag holder, regardless of location.
Call to Action:

Sign this petition to urge Congress to amend current laws to ensure all veterans, regardless of disability rating, are entitled to burial benefits. It’s time to honor our heroes with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Thank you for standing with our veterans.