Immediately After Bereavement

• A widow whose husband dies while enlisted in the military will immediately be assigned a bereavement officer who will help her through the process of grieving, dealing with finances and transitioning to civilian life. A widow whose husband dies after retirement should contact the Navy Marine Relief Fund or the USO for help applying for any benefits she is entitled to. These organizations often can help with emergency cash assistance and social support as well.
  
  

Early Benefits

• Widows of enlisted men will receive several benefits immediately. Pay and entitlements due will be disbursed on time. A one-time death gratuity of $100,000 will be authorized and paid within 48 hours of request to a widow designated on her husband's government paperwork as a sole beneficiary. In addition, the government authorizes up to $8,800 as of January 2011 for private burial arrangements, or up to $1,000 if the decedent is buried in a military cemetery. If necessary, travel expenses for the widow and close family members to the funeral and sometimes a memorial service are also covered by the government. The military widow and children are entitled to remain in military housing and/or receive Basic Allowance for Housing payments for one year after the service member's death.
  
  

Long-Term Benefits

• Most military members opt into Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance made available to them; payout on this as of January 2011 is usually $400,000 tax-free. Spouses and children are usually beneficiaries of the military's spouse survival plan, which pays an annuity generally equal to 55 percent of the spouse's retirement had he retired at 100 percent disability, plus a smaller sum for each dependent child. The widow may be entitled to several shorter-term smaller payments as well, such as a $250 monthly transitional payment covering children for two years after the death or reimbursement of money her spouse paid for the GI Bill. Because these small sums can add up, it's a good idea to review everything with a bereavement officer a few months later to ensure all monies due have been paid out.
  
  

Non-Cash Benefits

• Navy widows are entitled to several non-cash benefits, including Tricare Prime health coverage, commissary privileges and access to military benefits such as the in-house travel office and base theaters. Additionally, they have access to special educational assistance for up to 20 years after the service member's death. If the servicemember was buried in a national military cemetery, his widow and children under 18 years of age are entitled to burial near him as well. If the Navy widow has other questions or problems with benefits at any time, she can contact the Veterans Administration or the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society for free further assistance.