Next of kin must provide proof of death (such as a copy of the death certificate newspaper article (obituary) or death notice coroner’s report of death funeral director’s signed statement of death or verdict of coroner’s jury).Next of kin are defined as the unremarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother and sister only of the Servicemember.Current and former Servicemembers of the military or their next of kin may request from the Department copies of their military records.