Summary of Services
- Funding for funeral expenses and biohazard cleanup.
- Offering counseling and grief support.
Support for Families of Veterans Lost to Suicide
Considered the nation’s only Veteran Suicide First Responder, and recognizing the rising rates of suicide among veterans who have experienced traumatic events during their service, Once a Soldier supports surviving families through financial assistance, counseling, mental health services, and resources. Funding is only available for time-of-need.
Assistance with Funeral Expenses, Biohazard Remediation, and Counseling
Through its crisis financial aid program, Once a Soldier provides grieving families with counseling services and funds to help cover funeral expenses and biohazard cleanup costs following a veteran’s suicide. This support helps prevent a deceased veteran from being held at the coroner’s office and incurring additional fees.
The Biohazard Program provides financial assistance for the removal and cleaning of materials from a property following a suicide. While many insurance policies cover biohazard cleanup, unexpected costs often remain.
Once the organization is notified, they will provide between $500 and $1,000 to help with funeral and cleanup expenses. To qualify, families must provide the veteran’s death certificate and DD214 form. Funds are distributed quickly through Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
In partnership with Twenty Minutes Meditation, Once a Soldier also offers surviving families free access to Transcendental Meditation, a practice proven to reduce stress, enhance awareness, and support cognitive health and emotional well-being.
Expanded Resources and Donation Information
Additional resources are available on the Once a Soldier website, including guidance on what to do after a suicide, information about Veterans Affairs benefits, connections to mental health organizations, and details on how to donate to their St. Johns County Thrift Store.