Veterans Burial Benefits: Everything You Need to Know
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides substantial burial benefits to eligible veterans and their families, including free burial in a national cemetery, burial allowances, headstones, military honors, and Presidential Memorial Certificates. These benefits can save families $5,000 to $10,000 or more in burial costs. This guide explains every benefit available and how to claim it.
Who Is Eligible for Veterans Burial Benefits
The following individuals are eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery and related benefits:
Veterans
Any veteran who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. This includes veterans of all branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. The veteran must have completed the minimum period of active duty service (generally 24 continuous months, though exceptions exist for those discharged for disability, hardship, or early out).
Reserve and National Guard Members
Reservists and National Guard members who were entitled to retired pay, died while hospitalized or undergoing treatment at VA expense, or were called to active duty and completed the required service period. Guard and Reserve members who completed 20 years of qualifying service are also eligible.
Spouses and Dependents
The spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran (even if the veteran is still living) and minor children may be buried in a national cemetery. In most cases, the spouse is buried in the same gravesite as the veteran. There is no charge for the spouse or dependent interment if buried with or near the veteran.
Burial in a National Cemetery
The VA operates 155 national cemeteries across the country. Burial in a national cemetery includes the following at no cost:
- Gravesite: A burial plot or columbarium niche (for cremated remains) at no charge
- Opening and closing: The cost of opening and closing the grave or niche, covered by the VA
- Government headstone or marker: A flat marker or upright headstone, inscribed and set at no cost
- Burial flag: A United States flag to drape the casket, presented to the next of kin after the service
- Presidential Memorial Certificate: A certificate signed by the current President, honoring the veteran's service
- Perpetual care: Ongoing maintenance of the gravesite for as long as the cemetery exists
The family is responsible for funeral home services, transportation to the cemetery, and any private memorial or floral arrangements. Some families hold a visitation or service at a funeral home before the cemetery committal.
Burial Allowances
The VA provides monetary allowances to help cover funeral, burial, and transportation costs. The amount depends on whether the death was service-connected.
| Situation | Burial Allowance | Plot Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Service-connected death | Up to $2,000 | N/A (national cemetery free) |
| Non-service-connected (VA care/pension) | Up to $948 | $948 (private cemetery) |
| Non-service-connected (other) | $300 | $948 (private cemetery) |
The VA also pays a transportation allowance if the veteran died in a VA hospital or while traveling for VA-authorized care. The amount covers the cost of transporting the remains to the national cemetery nearest the veteran's home.
Military Funeral Honors
Federal law (10 U.S.C. 1491) guarantees military funeral honors for eligible veterans upon request. The honors are provided at no cost to the family.
Standard Honors (Minimum)
At minimum, every eligible veteran is entitled to a two-person uniformed detail that folds the burial flag, presents it to the next of kin, and plays Taps. Taps may be played live by a bugler or via a high-quality recording on a ceremonial device.
Full Military Honors
For veterans who held certain ranks or served in combat, a full honors ceremony may include a casket team (pallbearers), a firing party (three-volley salute), a bugler, and a color guard. Availability depends on the military branch and location. Active duty service members and retired military personnel typically receive full honors.
How to Request Honors
Tell your funeral director that the deceased was a veteran and that you want military funeral honors. The funeral director will coordinate with the appropriate military branch. You can also contact the branch directly: Army (1-800-USA-ARMY), Navy/Marines (1-866-787-0081), Air Force/Space Force (contact local base), or Coast Guard (contact local sector).
Headstones, Markers, and Medallions
The VA provides headstones and markers at no cost for eligible veterans, whether buried in a national cemetery or a private one.
National Cemetery Burial
The VA provides and installs the headstone or marker at no cost. Options include flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, and upright marble or granite. The inscription includes the veteran's name, branch of service, dates, and an optional emblem of belief.
Private Cemetery Burial
The VA provides the headstone or marker and ships it to the cemetery at no cost. However, the family is responsible for the cost of setting (installing) the marker in the private cemetery. Setting costs typically range from $200 to $500.
Bronze Medallion
If the family has already purchased a private headstone, the VA will provide a bronze medallion to attach to it, identifying the deceased as a veteran. The medallion is available in three sizes and is provided at no cost.
Presidential Memorial Certificate
The Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved certificate signed by the current President, honoring the memory of the veteran. It is available to the next of kin and loved ones of deceased veterans with honorable service. Multiple copies can be requested for different family members.
How to Request
You can request a PMC by calling the VA at 1-800-827-1000, visiting a VA regional office, or submitting a request through the VA website at va.gov. You will need a copy of the veteran's discharge documents (DD Form 214) and the death certificate. There is no time limit for requesting a PMC.
How to Arrange a Veterans Burial: Step by Step
Step 1: Locate the DD Form 214
The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the key document. Check the veteran's personal files, safe deposit box, or filing cabinet. If you cannot find it, request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center at archives.gov/veterans or by calling 314-801-0800.
Step 2: Contact a Funeral Home
Choose a funeral home and let them know the deceased was a veteran. They will help coordinate military honors and can assist with national cemetery arrangements.
Step 3: Schedule National Cemetery Burial
Call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (available 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET). They will confirm eligibility, check availability at the desired cemetery, and schedule the interment. You will need the DD Form 214, death certificate, and Social Security number.
Step 4: Apply for Burial Allowance
Submit VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits) online at va.gov, by mail, or at a VA regional office. You will need the DD Form 214, death certificate, and proof of funeral expenses (receipts or invoices). There is no deadline to apply, but submitting promptly ensures faster reimbursement.
Step 5: Request the Burial Flag
Complete VA Form 27-2008 and submit it at any VA regional office, most post offices, or through the funeral director. The flag is provided at no cost.
Step 6: Request the Headstone or Marker
Submit VA Form 40-1330 (Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker). The funeral director or cemetery can help with this. For national cemeteries, the cemetery handles the order directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veteran's spouse be buried in a national cemetery?
Yes. A spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran can be buried in a national cemetery, usually in the same gravesite as the veteran. Minor children and, in some cases, adult unmarried dependent children can also be interred. There is no charge for spouse or dependent interment.
What if I cannot find the DD Form 214?
Request a replacement from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) using Standard Form 180 or online at archives.gov/veterans. Processing can take several weeks, but the NPRC can sometimes expedite requests for burial purposes. In the meantime, other documents such as military ID cards, discharge papers, or VA correspondence may help establish eligibility.
Are there any costs for burial in a national cemetery?
The gravesite, headstone, opening/closing, and perpetual care are all free. The family pays for funeral home services (embalming, ceremony, etc.) and transportation to the cemetery. These costs may be partially offset by the VA burial allowance.
Can cremated remains be buried in a national cemetery?
Yes. National cemeteries accept cremated remains for in-ground burial or placement in a columbarium niche. Both options are provided at no cost. The same eligibility requirements apply.
Is there a time limit to apply for veterans burial benefits?
There is no time limit to apply for the burial allowance, headstone, burial flag, or Presidential Memorial Certificate. However, applying promptly ensures faster processing and reimbursement.