Burial and Memorial Benefits
Comprehensive burial allowances, cemetery benefits, and memorial services to honor veterans and support their families.
Burial Benefits Overview
VA provides burial allowances, cemetery services, and memorial benefits to honor veterans and assist their families during difficult times.
Burial Allowances
Financial assistance to help cover burial and funeral expenses for eligible veterans.
Cemetery Services
Burial in VA national cemeteries with opening/closing of grave and perpetual care.
Memorial Benefits
Headstones, markers, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates.
Burial Allowances
2025 Burial Allowance Rates
Updated AnnuallyService-Connected Death:
Burial Allowance: $2,000
For burial and funeral expenses
Plot Allowance: $890
If not buried in VA cemetery
Non-Service-Connected Death:
Burial Allowance: $890
If veteran died in VA facility or receiving VA pension
Plot Allowance: $890
For burial plot in private cemetery
Transportation Allowance
VA may pay for transportation of the veteran's remains if death occurred in a VA facility and the veteran is buried in a national cemetery.
VA Cemetery Services
National Cemetery Burial
Eligible veterans can be buried in any VA national cemetery with available space.
- Gravesite in national cemetery
- Opening and closing of grave
- Perpetual care of gravesite
- Government headstone or marker
- Burial flag
Eligibility Requirements
Veterans must meet specific service requirements for burial in VA national cemeteries.
- Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
- Completed minimum service requirements
- Service members who died on active duty
- Certain spouses and dependents
Family Member Eligibility
Certain family members may also be eligible for burial in national cemeteries.
- Spouse of eligible veteran
- Unmarried dependent children under 21
- Unmarried dependent children under 23 if student
- Unmarried dependent children of any age if disabled
State Veterans Cemeteries
State-operated veterans cemeteries may have different eligibility requirements and services.
- Similar services to national cemeteries
- May have expanded eligibility
- Contact cemetery directly for requirements
Memorial Benefits
Headstones and Markers
VA provides government headstones and markers for eligible veterans at no cost to the family.
- Upright headstones (granite or marble)
- Flat grave markers (granite, marble, or bronze)
- Niche covers for columbarium
- Available for private cemeteries
Burial Flags
A United States flag is provided to drape the casket or accompany the urn of eligible veterans.
- Provided at no cost to family
- Available from VA offices or funeral homes
- Can be ordered by mail
- Presented to next of kin
Presidential Memorial Certificates
Engraved paper certificates signed by the current President to honor deceased veterans.
- Available to next of kin and loved ones
- No time limit for requests
- Multiple certificates available
- Provided at no cost
Military Funeral Honors
Military funeral honors are provided by the Department of Defense for eligible veterans.
- Folding and presentation of flag
- Playing of Taps
- Minimum of two uniformed personnel
- Arranged through funeral director
How to Access Benefits
Pre-Need Burial Planning
Apply for pre-need eligibility determination to plan ahead:
- • Complete VA Form 40-10007
- • Submit veteran's DD-214 or service records
- • Receive eligibility determination letter
- • Keep documents with important papers
At Time of Need
When burial is needed:
- • Contact National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 1-800-535-1117
- • Provide veteran's information and preferred cemetery
- • Schedule burial appointment
- • Coordinate with funeral director
Apply for Burial Allowances
Submit burial allowance claims:
- • Complete VA Form 21P-530EZ
- • Submit within 2 years of burial
- • Include death certificate and receipts
- • Apply online, by mail, or in person