• Burial & Memorial

• Berks County Veterans Organizations (berkspa.gov)

View Financial Field Manual

Disclaimer: The field manual is provided as a courtesy by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs through the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs. Our employees are not financial planners or accountants and are not prepared or allowed to provide financial advice to veterans or their family members.

The Berks County Board of Commissioners provides two drop box locations for weathered or damaged flags to be properly retired. The drop boxes are located at:

• The main entrance to the Berks County Agriculture Center, 1238 County Road, Leesport PA 19533. It is available to the community 24/7.
• The main lobby of the County Services Center Building, 633 Court Street, Reading PA 19601. It is available to the community Monday - Friday from 8am -5pm (except federal holidays)
• Reading Regional Airport (in front of the remote Berks County Sheriff's Office)
• Berks County Veterans Affairs, 20 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610

Flags are stored until proper retirement can be arranged. If you or your group would like to host a flag retirement ceremony, please call the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs to make arrangements.

United States flags used to drape the coffin of a deceased military veteran can be donated to the National Cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville PA. Our office can assist you when making the donation.

$75 County Burial Debit Card Benefit Guidance:

For a veteran or spouse of a veteran to qualify for the $75 County Burial Benefit the veteran MUST HAVE "Active-Duty Wartime Service" during a federally recognized period of war.

Federally Recognized Periods of War:

WWII--------12/7/1941 – 12/31/1946
(continuous service from 12/31/1946 – 07/26/1947 also qualifies)
Korean------6/27/1950 – 1/31/1955
Vietnam-----11/1/1955 – 5/7/1975 for veterans who DID serve in Country
Vietnam-----8/5/1964 – 5/7/1975 for veterans who DID NOT serve in Country
Persian Gulf---8/2/1990 – Present (End date TBD by Presidential Proclamation or law)

*A veteran without active-duty service documented on their Discharge Documents(s) within the dates listed above ARE NOT entitled to the county burial benefit*

After verification of wartime service:

The following documents must be Emailed to the Berks County Veterans Affairs at Veterans@berkspa.gov or Npogue@berkspa.gov

▢ DD-214/DD-215 or military discharge document
▢ Death Certificate
▢ Funeral Bill/Invoice:

• If the bill is marked "Paid in full," then the person listed on the statement receives the refund. 
• If the account is not marked "Paid in full," the funeral home gets a refund.

If there are questions regarding this guidance or eligibility of a veteran or dependent for this benefit please reach out to VSO Nathaniel Pogue Jr at 610-378-5601 Ext. 2652




Requesting Condolence Cards:

To request condolence cards, please email Nathaniel Pogue Jr Npogue@berkspa.gov and tell her how many of the Condolence Cards you need.  When the order ready for you, he will let you know when you can come by to pick them up.  If you have any questions, please call (610) 378-5601, Ext. 2652

Forms:

Veterans County Burial Application

Widow County Burial Application

Headstone Reimbursement

The Etchberger Veterans Service Center a.k.a. the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce our newly formed Berks County Veterans Temporary Assistance (BCVTA) Grant Program beginning February 2022. With seed funding sponsorships from the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs(PADMVA) Veterans Trust Fund, PA LINK to Aging and Disability Resources (ARDC) Abilities in Motion, and Visions Federal Credit Union; the fund will be used as a supplemental community resource in Berks County to support veterans and their families who are facing recent financial hardship and need temporary support to overcome hurdles encountered outside of their own control.

This is a veterans fund specifically designed to raise funds in Berks County and to serve Berks County Veterans and their families in need with support and direct oversight from the Berks County Controllers Office.

Requests for support will be based on the following eligibility criteria:

1. 1. Active-Duty Military Service (DD214 or Military Discharge Documents)
   2. Recent Event (within the past 1-year, outside applicants’ control)
   3. Financial Need (Monthly Expenses meet or exceed gross household income)
      1. Sudden and Unexpected
         1. Loss of Income, and/or
         2. Increase in Expenses
   4. Request for Assistance for Necessities of Life (i.e. Bus Passes, Emergency Shelter, Food, Utilities, Vehicle repair for work, etc.)
   5. Over 60 years of age
   6. Under 60 years of age but living with a disability

• Appointment of veterans service organization as claimant's representative  VA Form 21-22
• Intent to file a claim for compensation and/or pension, or survivors pension and/or dic VA Form 21-0966

• Federal VA Burial Benefits Application (21P-530EZ)
• Federal VA Stone or Marker Application (40-1330)
• Medallion Request for use in Private Cemetery (40-1330M)
• County Burial Benefits​ (VA Form 1)

• Application for VA Education Benefits (22-1990)
• Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation (28-1900)
• Application for Survivors & Dependents' Educational Assistance (22-5490)

• Application for Health Benefits (10-10EZ)
• Health Benefits Renewal (10-10EZR)
• Application for ChampVA Benefits (10-10D)
• Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program (10-10CG)

• Request Military Service Records | National Archives (Online Application)
• Military Service Records Request Form (SF-180) (Paper Application)