MANDAN, ND (KXNET) — It's not a question we usually like to think about, but it's a question we all have to ask ourselves at some point. What's going to happen to me if one of my family members pass? Or worse, what's going to happen to my family when I pass? There's not a simple answer to this, but, for veteran families, Veterans Affairs hopes to make this prospect a little less daunting through its memorial benefits. The thought of death is something that scares many of us. But for military families, it's a thought that's always present, as loved ones are thrown into dangerous and often complicated military operations. And the anxiety of what comes after death is a potent fear for armed forces members and their families alike. "Because there's that big unknown," said Mitchell Erhardt, a veterans services officer, "of what's going to be paid for and what's not going to be paid for." But for years now, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has been offering its veterans memorial benefits as a way to pay tribute to military members' sacrifice. These benefits can help with burial and funeral costs and can be a lifesaver for struggling families. And yet, surveys show that very few know of these benefits. That's why Armed Forces members are helping put on a seminar on Wednesday in Bismarck, so North Dakota's veterans know what rights and privileges they have available. "I love doing these kinds of events," said Erhardt, "where we can get the word out to veterans." "This is the actual information rather than second or thirdhand information," said August Honeyman, the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery's assistant director. Right now, veterans can be laid to rest in one of the VA's 155 national cemeteries. These cemeteries, however, are only in about 44 states, and VA staff say they're looking to expand access. Gas prices expected to drop before Thanksgiving But just because a veteran might be too far from being buried in a national cemetery doesn't mean they don't have the ability to be buried in a private cemetery. And the best part is, many things are covered. That's why veterans encourage other veterans to use their benefits. "That's okay if they don't want to use it," said Erhardt. "But if they do use their benefits, they're not taking anything away from anybody else. They're just using their benefit that they've earned and deserved." If a veteran is buried in a national cemetery, they receive — free of charge — the opening and closing of the grave, a grave liner, headstone, memorial flag, certificate, burial flag, and dedication on the Veterans Legacy Memorial site. The grave will also continue to be cared for at no cost to the family. If a veteran is buried in a private cemetery, however, they get a government headstone, marker, or medallion, memorial flag, certificate, and possibly a memorial allowance. "I would encourage any family member to come in and talk to us," said Erhardt. These benefits not only apply to veterans, but they can also possibly apply to family members. To find out if you're eligible before someone dies, those with the VA encourage you to fill out an Apply for Pre-Need Burial Eligibility form. But if eligibility was never determined before death, family members need to locate their loved one's DD-214 papers, or discharge papers. They'll then have to make arrangements with a funeral home, National Cemetery Scheduling Office, or directly with a VA national cemetery. But it's important to stay up to date on policy because things change. "So many things change with the VA," said Erhardt. "In the past five years, it's changed more than in the past 20." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW