Death Gratuity Payment   Military services provide payment, called a death gratuity, in the amount of $100,000 to the next of kin of service members who die while on active duty or retirees who die within 120 days of retirement as a result of service-connected injury or illness. Parents, brothers or sisters may be provided the payment, if designated as next of kin by the deceased.  The payment is made by the last military command of the deceased. If the beneficiary is not paid automatically, application may be made to the military service concerned.