Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Burial Benefits for Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure terminally ill veterans are not prevented from receiving full Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits if they pass away at a non-VA facility while receiving hospice care.

Previously, the VA was authorized to cover nearly $1,000 toward burial and funeral expenses only if a veteran passed away at a VA facility. Gerald's Law, which was led by Peters and signed into law in 2024, updated this policy to ensure veterans aren't penalized if they choose to spend their final days in the comfort of their homes or surrounded by loved ones. The Gerald's Law Reauthorization of 2026 would extend this expanded benefit, which is currently set to expire in October 2026, through 2030.

The legislation is named after Army veteran Gerald "Jerry" Elliot of Kingsford, whose family was denied the benefit after he passed away in a non-VA facility.

"Today, because of late Michigander Gerald Elliot's story, our veterans can no longer be denied critical VA benefits if they choose to receive hospice care outside of a VA facility," said Senator Peters. "Now, it's time to extend this commonsense law that we worked to enact so that our nation's veterans and their families can continue to depend on the burial benefits they have earned during their service."

Denise Formolo, the Veterans Service Officer for Dickinson County, Michigan, raised this issue with Senator Peters' office and shared the Elliott family's heartbreaking story - inspiring the legislation.

"It has been a great honor to collaborate with Senator Peters and Congressman Bergman on passage of 'Gerald's Law,' which delivered a significant victory for our veterans and their families," said Denise Formolo, Veteran Service Officer at Dickinson County Veterans Affairs. "I'm proud to stand alongside these lawmakers as they work to reauthorize this bill, which would protect a Veterans' option to spend their final days at home, surrounded by their loved ones, without the concern of losing burial benefits for their families."

Peters introduced the bill with U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), and bipartisan companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-01).

The Gerald's Law Act is also supported by American Veterans (AMVETS), the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The American Legion, Combined Arms, Disabled American Veterans and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

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