Covenant support for the Bereaved
The statement of the Covenant recognises the bereaved as a distinct cohort in the Armed Forces community, for whom Covenant support is especially appropriate. Some of the Covenant support for the bereaved is outlined below.
The Purple Book issued to bereaved families provides guidance, information, and the support available for those bereaved in Service. It also contains resources for those more widely affected by the loss, with links to further support networks.
Support is also available through Government programmes and services, military Service charities and, dependant on circumstances, through Service Associations.
The Defence Bereaved Families Group meets twice a year. It is made up of Associations, charities, affiliated organisations, and MOD representatives. The Group aims to improve and address the unique challenges faced by military bereaved families, by providing lived experience feedback that both challenges and influences current policy.
Stakeholder engagement continues with an enduring commitment to increase recognition of the bereaved as a cohort in their own right.
Covenant support for the bereaved
Covenant support exclusively for the bereaved includes the following. These are all examples of special provision.
Note that the bereaved are also eligible for Covenant support that is available to the whole Armed Forces community. Also, Covenant support flagged as specifically for veterans or for the families of currently serving personnel may also be available to the bereaved. Please see the Armed Forces community for more information.
War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment scheme
Widow(er)s of Armed Forces personnel who forfeited their entitlement to a pension for a Service attributable death prior to 2015 and have not had this pension restored are invited to apply for a one-off payment of £87,500 as part of the Government’s continued support for the Armed Forces, their families and veterans. Further information is provided at: War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment.
Inheritance Tax exemption
The estate of a deceased Service person or veteran may be eligible for an Inheritance Tax exemption. This is if the cause of death is found to be Service attributable, according to the criteria laid out in section 154 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. A personal representative or next of kin for the deceased should apply to the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre for this exemption.
Scholarships
The Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme was established in 2011. It gives the children of Service personnel whose death is attributable to Service since 1990 a head start in life by enabling them to progress in their post-16 education. The scheme provides a number of different scholarships covering further and higher education.
Funeral expenses
A personal representative or next of kin may be entitled to funeral expenses or a funeral grant for a deceased Service person. Further conditions apply and additional information is provided by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.
Maintenance of Service graves
MOD maintains in perpetuity the graves of all personnel who had a Service funeral and headstone, and whose grave is registered to MOD. Additional information is provided by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.
