My grandfather recently passed away and my grandmother has spent the last several weeks filling out various kinds of legal paperwork. One form in particular that she is having trouble with is the Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Services (form 1174) - my grandfather was a retired navy man. The form’s instructions are somewhat vague, indicating only to, “forward the completed form to the government agency in which the deceased was employed at the time of death.”
My grandmother sent out a family email asking if we could scrounge up the appropriate address on the internet, but I’m not having any luck. Any military Dopers with experience in this area?
It doesn’t sound like this particular form applies to your grandfather’s situation. If he was a retired Navy guy then he was presumably not employed by a government agency at the time of his death.
Might want to try the phone number listed under Step 6here.
ETA: A quick look elsewhere suggests that that form may only apply to active military. Presumably, your grandfather did not have any unpaid benefits or compensation coming his way other than his retirement.
General information here. The most important thing to take away from this is that your grandmother is entitled to a Casualty Assistance Representative from the military. This individual or office will assist her in getting all required paperwork filed.
Contact the closest military base and request an appointment with this representative.
The funeral home will contact the Department of Veteran Affairs and they will make all the arrangements WRT flags and ceremonies. (if desired) Retired personnel should receive Full Military Honors. That includes ball bearers and 21 Gun Salute. Again, if desired. It’s free and the military will go to wherever the family decides to conduct the service. There is no requirement that the person be buried at a Veterans Cemetary or something.
Just throwing all that out there, FWIW.