Surviving Spouses Support

Surviving Spouses Support

PMOAA recognizes the importance of supporting surviving spouses of uniformed services officers. This checklist is intended as a starting point for organizing notifications, documents, benefits, funeral arrangements, and other time-sensitive decisions.

Important: This information is provided for general reference and may change. Please confirm current requirements, telephone numbers, benefits, and procedures with the responsible agency or provider before relying on them.

Helpful Numbers

Social Security and Veterans Affairs

  • Social Security: (800) 772-1213
  • VA burial benefits information: (800) 827-1000
  • Barrancas National Cemetery: (850) 453-4108

Military Chaplain and Honors Contacts

  • U.S. Air Force: (850) 882-2156 for chaplain and honors support
  • U.S. Army: (334) 255-9081 or (334) 255-9311 for chaplain and honors support
  • U.S. Marine Corps: (866) 826-3628 for honors; (850) 452-2341 for chaplain support
  • U.S. Navy: (904) 452-1536 or (904) 452-9807 for honors; (850) 452-2341 for chaplain support
  • U.S. Coast Guard: (251) 441-6014 or (305) 335-4591 for honors; (850) 452-2341 for chaplain support

Death Notifications and Insurance

  • DFAS Casualty: (800) 321-1080, available 24 hours
  • VA life insurance and related programs: (850) 698-2411 or TTY 711
  • Social Security death notification: (800) 419-1473 or (800) 772-1213

Documents to Gather

When completing forms sent by DFAS after notification of death, you may be asked for:

  1. Copies of the DD Form 214, retirement orders, or 20-Year Letter
  2. Copies of the marriage license
  3. Certified copies of the death certificate

Check with each agency for current document requirements and the number of copies needed.

Prepare Ahead

Preparing important information in advance can make a difficult time more manageable. Consider organizing benefit information, insurance documents, retirement records, contact numbers, legal documents, and personal instructions in a secure location known to a trusted family member.

Financial Counseling and Online Will Preparation

VA beneficiary financial counseling and online will-preparation services may be available at no cost to beneficiaries of SGLI, TSGLI, FSGLI, and VGLI. For current eligibility and assistance, call (800) 669-8477 or (800) 419-1473.

Visit the VA Beneficiary Financial Counseling Services page for current eligibility information, program details, and instructions for getting started.

Navy Mutual

Navy Mutual is a nonprofit mutual-benefit veterans service organization serving sea-service members and their families. When evaluating insurance or annuity services, consider asking about eligibility, minimum requirements, benefits, document storage, and experience with VA benefits and claims.

Navy Mutual: (800) 628-6011

Pensacola Funeral and Cremation Resources

  • Christian Family Funeral: 4020 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503; (850) 435-4070
  • Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home: 1985 W Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32534; (850) 479-9223
  • Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory: 10 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32504; (850) 432-6146
  • Family Funeral and Cremation: 5627 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503; (850) 466-5440
  • Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel: 2276 Airport Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32504; (850) 478-3292
  • Oak Lawn Funeral Home: 619 New Warrington Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506; (850) 453-2321
  • Pensacola Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home: 7433 Pine Forest Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526
  • Tracy Morton Memorial Chapel: 55 Coast Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507; (850) 332-7661
  • Trahan Family Funeral Home: 60 Industrial Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32502; (850) 438-6235
  • Waters & Hibbert Funeral Home: 124 W Gregory St, Pensacola, FL 32502; (850) 432-6534

Caskets and Urns

  • Pensacola Caskets and Urns: 6911 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505; (850) 232-9417
  • Casket Store: 1130 W Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32534; (251) 458-2619

How PMOAA Can Help

PMOAA can help surviving spouses stay connected to a community of fellow members and locate the starting information needed during a difficult transition. For questions about this resource or help locating the appropriate PMOAA contact, please use the Contact page.