Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 71.djvu/153

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
[71 Stat. 117]
PUBLIC LAW 000—MMMM. DD, 1957
[71 Stat. 117]

71

STAT.]

PUBLIC LAW 85-56-JUNE 17, 1957 TITLE VIII—BURIAL BENEFITS FLAGS

SEC. 801. (a) The Administrator shall furnish a flag to drape the casket of each deceased veteran who— (1) was a veteran of any war • (2) had served at least one enlistment; or (3) had been discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty. (b) After the burial of the veteran the flag so furnished shall be given to his next of kin. If no claim is made for the flag by the next of kin, it may be given, upon request, to a close friend or associate of the deceased veteran. If a flag is given to a close friend or associate of the deceased veteran, no flag shall be given to any other person on account of the death of such veteran. FUNERAL. EXPENSES

SEC. 802. (a) Where a veteran dies who— (1) was a veteran of any war; (2) had been discharged from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty; or (3) was in receipt of disability compensation; the Administrator, in his discretion having due regard to the circumstances in each case, may pay a sum not exceeding $150 to such person as he prescribes to cover the burial and funeral expenses of the deceased veteran and the expense of preparing the body and transporting it to the place of burial. (b) Except as hereafter provided in this subsection, no deduction shall be made from the burial allowance because of the veteran's net assets at the time of his death, or because of any contribution from any source toward the burial and funeral expenses (including transportation) unless the amount of expenses incurred is covered by the amount actually paid therefor by the United States, a State, any agency or political subdivision of the United States or of a State, the employer of the deceased veteran, or a burial association. No claim shall be allowed for more than the difference between the entire amount of the expenses incurred, and the amount paid by any or all of the foregoing. The Administrator shall not deny or reduce the amount of the burial allowance otherwise payable because of a cash contribution made by a burial association to any person other than the person rendering burial and funeral services. The burial allowance or any part thereof shall not be paid in any case where specific provision is otherwise made for payment of expenses of funeral, transportation, and interment under any other Act. DEATH IN V E T E R A N S ' ADMINISTRATION FACILITY

SEC. 803. (a) Where death occurs in a Veterans' Administration facility to which the deceased Was properly admitted for hospital or domiciliary care under authority of section 510 or 511 (a) of this Act, the Administrator shall pay the actual cost (not to exceed $150) of the burial and funeral. (b) In addition to the foregoing, when such a death occurs in the continental United States, the Administrator shall transport the body to the place of burial in the United States, or to the place of burial within Alaska if the deceased was a resident of Alaska who had been

117