The Assured Decent Last Rites Scheme (ADLRS) is an important welfare initiative intended to ensure that veterans receive a dignified and respectful farewell after their death. For families of ex-servicemen, knowing the correct procedure, contact number and financial assistance available at the time of demise can be extremely important.
The scheme originated in the Indian Army in 2006 with the objective of ensuring an honourable and befitting funeral for deceased veterans and their widows. The Ministry of Defence explained at the time that welfare/field staff would assist the family, help organise the last rites where required and facilitate a tribute on behalf of the Army.
Over time, arrangements have evolved, and current veteran-welfare information also covers Army, Navy and Air Force-specific assistance, including financial grants and ceremonial support.
Important: The infographic supplied with this article combines the ADLRS concept with service-specific funeral/death grants. Therefore, the amounts and procedures should not be understood as one identical “₹10,000/₹40,000/₹25,000 ADLRS grant” applicable in exactly the same manner to all three Services. The service-specific provisions are explained separately below.
ADLRS for Ex-Servicemen: What Is It?
ADLRS stands for Assured Decent Last Rites Scheme.
The basic objective is simple:
A veteran who served the nation should receive a dignified farewell, and the family should not be left alone to deal with funeral arrangements during an emotionally difficult time.
The original Army scheme envisaged a welfare mechanism associated with CSD canteens. When the death of a veteran was reported, designated staff could contact the family, provide assistance and, where necessary, help organise the last rites. The scheme also envisaged informing local veterans about the funeral and arranging a wreath on behalf of the Chief of the Army Staff wherever possible.
The scheme therefore has two important dimensions:
- Financial assistance to the eligible family/NOK.
- Assistance and ceremonial honours for the deceased veteran.
Latest ADLRS and Last-Rites Assistance for Veterans
The key provisions highlighted in the supplied infographic are:
| Service | Financial assistance shown | Main contact/agency | Funeral assistance/honours |
| Indian Army | ₹10,000 | 1904 / Station HQ | Assistance with funeral and last-rites coordination |
| Indian Navy | ₹40,000 | Naval Station / 1904 | Naval ceremonial assistance, including bugler/ensign where applicable |
| Indian Air Force | ₹25,000 Garima Grant | 1932 / IAFBA | Floral wreaths and Air Force ceremonial participation |
However, there is an important distinction between ADLRS, service-specific demise grants and ceremonial funeral assistance.
1. Indian Army Veterans – ADLRS Assistance
For Army veterans, the ADLRS is the best-known arrangement for providing assistance to the family after the death of a veteran.
The current material associated with the revised ADLRS SOP states that the assistance includes a ₹10,000 grant and that the revised process is designed to simplify the claim procedure. A 2026 Army welfare publication also indicates that the revised SOP-2025 is available as an official welfare document.
Who should be contacted?
In case of the death of an Army veteran, the family/NOK should contact the appropriate:
- Station Headquarters
- Dependent Army CSD/URC
- Local Army veteran/welfare authorities
The supplied infographic also highlights 1904 as the Army contact route.
What assistance can the family expect?
Depending upon the circumstances and applicable local arrangements, assistance may include:
- Funeral/last-rites coordination
- Financial assistance
- Guidance to the NOK
- Coordination with local Army authorities
- Participation of military representatives
- Wreath/tribute arrangements wherever applicable
The original ADLRS concept specifically provided for welfare staff to visit the deceased veteran’s family and assist with the arrangements when required.
2. Indian Navy Veterans – ₹40,000 Demise Grant
For Naval veterans, the ₹40,000 amount shown in the infographic relates to the Indian Navy’s demise-grant arrangement, associated with the Indian Navy Benevolent Fund (INBF), rather than being treated as an identical Army-style ADLRS payment.
Recent veteran welfare material states that the demise grant for Naval personnel was enhanced to ₹40,000 for deaths occurring after 1 April 2023, and that a demise grant was also introduced for non-pensioner Naval veterans from 1 May 2022.
Where should the family contact?
The infographic advises contacting:
Nearest Naval Station / Naval authorities
It also displays 1904 as a common contact route.
Families should provide:
- Name of deceased veteran
- Service number
- Rank
- Service details
- Date and place of death
- Funeral date/time
- Funeral location
- Contact details of the NOK
Naval ceremonial honours
Where applicable and subject to local arrangements, Naval personnel may attend the funeral and provide appropriate ceremonial assistance.
The infographic specifically highlights:
- Bugler
- Naval Ensign
- Ceremonial participation
The exact honours depend on applicable Service instructions and local feasibility.
3. Air Force Veterans – Garima Grant Increased to ₹25,000
There has been an important change in the Air Force welfare arrangement in 2026.
The Indian Air Force Benevolent Association (IAFBA) has enhanced the Garima Grant to ₹25,000 with effect from 1 June 2026.
The Air Force Association’s Tamil Nadu branch currently confirms that the enhanced ₹25,000 Garima Grant is to be disbursed by IAFBA and that the earlier AFA Ex-Gratia arrangement was discontinued from 1 June 2026.
Earlier arrangement
Previously, the assistance could comprise:
- AFA Ex-Gratia – ₹7,500
- IAFBA Garima Grant – ₹15,000
The revised arrangement consolidated the assistance into the enhanced:
₹25,000 IAFBA Garima Grant
This is particularly important because the infographic supplied with this article was issued with an August 2025 date, whereas the Air Force grant was subsequently enhanced with effect from 1 June 2026.
Therefore, websites and social-media posts reproducing older ₹15,000/₹7,500 figures should be checked carefully before publishing them as current information.
How to Inform the Air Force About the Death of a Veteran
The Air Force Association’s information page advises families to intimate the nearest Air Force Station for assistance with Assured Decent Last Rites and Garima Grant.
The commonly publicised Air Force contact number is:
📞 1932
A published Air Force veteran welfare communication explains that calling 1932 connects the caller to the appropriate Air Force exchange, after which the relevant officer can be informed about the veteran’s demise. The family can then provide service details and funeral location/time.
Information normally required
The family should keep the following information ready:
- Name of deceased Air Veteran
- Service number
- Rank
- Unit/branch
- Date of death
- Funeral/cremation time
- Funeral location
- Name and mobile number of the NOK/contact person
Air Force Funeral Honours
The Air Force can also facilitate ceremonial participation in the funeral of an Air Veteran.
Published Air Force guidance describes arrangements including floral wreaths and participation by Service personnel.
The supplied infographic specifically highlights:
Floral wreaths from CAS
The actual ceremonial arrangements may depend on the applicable instructions, location and availability of personnel.
The important point for families is that they should inform the nearest Air Force authorities as early as possible, rather than waiting until the funeral is about to begin.
Common Procedure After the Death of a Veteran
Although the exact procedure differs between the three Services, families can generally follow these four steps.
Step 1 – Inform the Appropriate Service
Immediately inform the relevant authority.
Army
Contact the nearest Army Station/Station HQ and applicable CSD/URC welfare mechanism.
Navy
Contact the nearest Naval Station/appropriate Naval authority.
Air Force
Dial 1932 or contact the nearest Air Force Station.
Step 2 – Provide Details of the Deceased Veteran
Keep basic service information ready.
Ideally, provide:
- Name
- Rank
- Service number
- Unit
- Date of death
- Service/discharge details
- PPO, where applicable
- CSD/Service identity card details
- Name and contact number of NOK
This enables the Service authorities to identify the veteran quickly and initiate the appropriate assistance.
Step 3 – Provide Funeral Details
The authorities may require:
Date of funeral:
Time of funeral:
Place of cremation/burial:
Contact person:
Mobile number:
Providing the correct location is particularly important if the family wants Service personnel to attend the funeral.
Step 4 – Ask Specifically About Both Assistance and Financial Grant
Families should not assume that informing the Service automatically means that every available financial benefit will be processed.
Ask the concerned authority specifically about:
- Last-rites assistance
- Applicable financial grant
- Ceremonial honours
- Wreath
- Service flag/ensign, where applicable
- Required claim documents
- Procedure for payment to the NOK
Documents That the NOK Should Keep Ready
After the death of a veteran, the family should preserve several important documents.
Essential documents
- Death Certificate
- PPO / Pension Payment Order, where applicable
- Discharge Book / Service Certificate
- Service Identity Card
- CSD Smart Card, wherever applicable
- Aadhaar/identity document of claimant
- Bank account details of NOK
- Proof of relationship with deceased veteran, if required
- NOK/nomination documents
- Any prescribed application/declaration
For the Air Force Garima Grant, currently published information indicates the importance of the death certificate, proof of Air Force service such as PPO/discharge book/service certificate, claimant’s bank details and prescribed declaration.
Why Every Veteran Family Should Know About ADLRS
Many families become aware of welfare benefits only after the veteran’s death. Unfortunately, that is often the worst possible time to search for information.
The death of a veteran can leave the spouse or family members emotionally distressed and occupied with:
- Funeral arrangements
- Death certificate
- Pension-related formalities
- Bank formalities
- Family pension
- SPARSH/pension authority communication
- Insurance claims
- CSD formalities
- Welfare claims
Knowing the last-rites assistance procedure beforehand can save valuable time.
Keep a “Veteran Family Information File”
Every veteran should ideally maintain a small physical and digital file containing:
Service Information
- Service number
- Rank
- Unit
- Date of enrolment
- Date of discharge
Pension Information
- PPO
- Corrigendum PPOs
- SPARSH details, if applicable
- Pension account details
Welfare Information
- CSD Card
- ECHS Card
- Identity Card
- NOK details
Family Information
- Spouse details
- Children
- Nominee details
- Bank account
- Aadhaar/PAN details where relevant
The family should know where this file is kept.
This simple preparation can make the post-demise formalities considerably easier.
ADLRS Is More Than a Financial Grant
One of the most important aspects of the scheme is that it should not be viewed merely as a cash benefit.
The original objective of ADLRS was dignity in death.
The Ministry of Defence’s announcement when the scheme was introduced described it as an initiative to ensure an honourable and befitting funeral for deceased veterans and widows. The arrangement contemplated welfare staff assisting the family and, where necessary, organising the last rites.
Thus, the scheme represents an important message:
The relationship between the Armed Forces and a veteran does not end on retirement.
The Service continues to recognise the veteran’s contribution even during the final journey.
Important Difference Between Funeral Assistance and Pension Formalities
Families should also understand that last-rites assistance is separate from pension/family-pension procedures.
After the veteran’s death, the NOK/spouse may also need to:
- Report the death to the appropriate pension authority/SPARSH
- Stop the deceased pension, where applicable
- Initiate family pension
- Submit the death certificate
- Update the bank account
- Claim applicable insurance
- Claim arrears/lifetime arrears
- Update CSD/ECHS records
- Process other welfare benefits
The ADLRS or service-specific funeral grant does not replace these separate procedures.
Special Note for Families of Air Veterans
Air veterans and their families should pay particular attention to the 2026 Garima Grant revision.
The current information from the Air Force Association’s Tamil Nadu branch states:
Effective from 01 June 2026:
Garima Grant = ₹25,000
The earlier AFA Ex-Gratia payment arrangement was discontinued, while IAFBA became the agency responsible for the enhanced Garima Grant.
Therefore, an old article stating that an Air Veteran’s family will receive only ₹15,000 or ₹7,500 may no longer reflect the current arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Assured Decent Last Rites Scheme?
The Assured Decent Last Rites Scheme (ADLRS) is a veteran welfare initiative designed to ensure that deceased veterans receive a dignified farewell and that their families receive appropriate assistance with last rites.
When was ADLRS introduced?
The scheme was introduced by the Indian Army in 2006. The Ministry of Defence announced the scheme in June 2006 as an initiative to assure dignified last rites for ex-servicemen and widows.
How much is the Army ADLRS assistance?
The current Army welfare material identifies ₹10,000 as the ADLRS grant.
How much is the Navy demise grant?
Current veteran welfare material identifies the Indian Navy demise grant as ₹40,000 for applicable cases, with the enhanced rate applicable to deaths occurring after 1 April 2023.
How much is the Air Force Garima Grant in 2026?
The IAFBA Garima Grant is ₹25,000 with effect from 1 June 2026.
What is the Air Force helpline for reporting the death of a veteran?
The published Air Force guidance identifies 1932 for informing the Air Force about the death of an Air Veteran and seeking last-rites assistance.
Does ADLRS provide military honours?
Funeral assistance and ceremonial participation may be provided according to the applicable Service arrangements. The nature of honours can vary according to Service rules, location and availability.
Can the family ask the Service to attend the funeral?
Yes. The family should inform the relevant Service authority as early as possible, provide the funeral location and time, and specifically request last-rites/ceremonial assistance.
Is ADLRS the same as family pension?
No. ADLRS/last-rites assistance is a welfare/funeral-related provision. Family pension is a separate entitlement requiring its own pension-related procedure.
Key Takeaway for Veterans and Their Families
The most important message is simple:
Don’t wait until an emergency to find out how the last-rites assistance works.
Every veteran should ensure that the spouse and close family members know:
- Where the service documents are kept
- Where the PPO is kept
- Who the NOK is
- Which Service authority to contact
- The relevant emergency/contact number
- How to inform the nearest Service establishment
- What financial assistance may be available
- What documents are required
For quick reference:
| Service | Important assistance/contact |
| 🇮🇳 Army | ADLRS assistance; ₹10,000 grant; Station HQ/CSD mechanism; 1904 shown in the supplied guide |
| ⚓ Navy | ₹40,000 applicable demise grant; Naval Station/appropriate Naval authority |
| ✈️ Air Force | ₹25,000 IAFBA Garima Grant from 01 June 2026; 1932 for informing Air Force authorities |
The Indian Army’s original ADLRS concept was founded on the principle that veterans deserve a respectful and dignified final farewell.
For veteran families, this is therefore not merely another welfare scheme. It is a reminder that the nation remembers the service of its veterans even during their final journey.