One of the most common things I hear from veterans and their families is that they know they need to get their documents in order — they just haven't gotten around to it yet. Life gets busy. It doesn't feel urgent until it suddenly is.
That's exactly why I created the free Veteran Burial Guide and Living Will through Soldiers Legacy. I wanted to make it easy for veterans and their families to sit down, get the important things documented, and walk away with peace of mind. No complicated legal process. No expensive attorney fees for basic documents. Just a clear, guided virtual appointment designed specifically for veterans.
If you've been wondering what's actually included — and whether it's worth your time — I want to walk you through it here.
What Is the Veteran Burial Guide and Living Will?
The Veteran Burial Guide and Living Will is a free virtual appointment I offer through Soldiers Legacy. It's designed to help veterans and their families get two critical pieces of documentation completed together in one session.
The first is the burial guide — a document that captures your wishes, your military service information, and the details your family will need when the time comes to handle your burial arrangements. The second is the living will — a document that communicates your healthcare wishes in the event you are unable to speak for yourself.
Together, these two documents give your family something most families don't have: a clear road map. They don't have to guess. They don't have to argue. They don't have to scramble to figure out what you would have wanted.
Why Veterans Specifically Need These Documents
Veterans have access to burial benefits that many families don't fully understand until they're trying to access them under pressure. The VA offers burial in a national cemetery, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate to eligible veterans — but navigating those benefits during a time of grief is difficult without the right information already in place.
When your family has a completed burial guide, they know what benefits may be available, what steps to take, and what documentation to gather. That's not a small thing. That's the difference between a family that feels prepared and a family that feels overwhelmed.
The living will matters just as much. A medical emergency can happen at any age. I encourage every veteran I work with to have this document completed long before they think they'll need it — because when you need it, there's no time to create it.
What Happens During the Appointment
The virtual appointment is straightforward and relaxed. We go through the burial guide and living will documents together so you understand exactly what you're completing and why each section matters.
You don't need to have your DD-214 in hand to attend. While your DD-214 is an important document that I do encourage every veteran to locate and keep accessible, it is not required to complete the virtual appointment. You can still get your burial guide and living will done and add your DD-214 to your documents later.
The appointment can also be rescheduled if something comes up. My only ask is that you reschedule at least one hour before your scheduled time. There are no fees or penalties for rescheduling. I want this to be as easy as possible to access.
What You Walk Away With
At the end of your appointment, you have completed documents that your family can reference when they need them most. You'll know exactly what you want and your family will know too. That alignment — between what you want and what your family knows — is something money can't buy and something most families wish they had established sooner.
I also want to be clear about what this appointment is and isn't. This is not legal advice, and Soldiers Legacy is not a law firm. The burial guide and living will documents we complete are planning resources designed to help veterans and their families document important information and wishes. For complex legal estate planning, I always encourage veterans to consult with a licensed attorney in their state.
Who Should Schedule an Appointment
If you are a veteran of any branch, age, or service era — this appointment is for you. You don't have to be elderly or in poor health to benefit from having these documents completed. In fact, the veterans who feel the most prepared are the ones who got this done early, long before any urgency existed.
Military spouses and family members can also benefit from encouraging their veterans to schedule. I regularly hear from spouses who wish their veteran had completed these documents before a sudden illness or unexpected passing. If you're a spouse reading this, share it. It matters.
How to Request Your Free Kit
Requesting your free Veteran Burial Guide and Living Will is simple. Visit Soldiers Legacy and schedule your virtual appointment. The kit is free, the appointment is free, and the guidance is personal. I take time in every appointment because I believe every veteran deserves to be treated like the individual they are — not processed through a system.
This is one of the most direct ways I help veterans and their families. Getting your documents in order is not something to keep putting off. Your family will be grateful you didn't wait.
One Final Thought
I started Soldiers Legacy because I believe veterans and their families deserve access to the information and resources that protect them — without the confusion, the cost, or the runaround. The free Veteran Burial Guide and Living Will is the most foundational thing I offer, and I want every veteran who needs it to be able to access it.
If you have questions before scheduling, send me a message. I'm happy to answer them. And if you're ready to get started, schedule your appointment today. It's one of the simplest, most meaningful things you can do for the people who matter most to you.
Coverage, benefits, and eligibility may vary. This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Soldiers Legacy is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any federal agency.
