VA provides several burial-related benefits to honor veterans and assist their families with funeral expenses. The burial allowance is a monetary benefit to help offset funeral and burial costs. The amount varies depending on whether the death was service-connected, whether the veteran was receiving VA benefits at the time of death, and whether the veteran died in a VA facility. Service-connected death allowances are significantly higher than non-service-connected amounts. All veterans who received an honorable or general discharge are eligible for burial in a national cemetery at no cost. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care. Spouses and dependent children may also be buried in a national cemetery alongside the veteran. VA provides headstones, markers, and medallions for veterans at no charge. This benefit applies whether the veteran is buried in a national, state, or private cemetery. For veterans buried in private cemeteries, VA can provide a headstone or marker to be placed at the gravesite. Presidential Memorial Certificates are also available as a tribute to the veteran service. To claim burial benefits, the person who paid the funeral expenses files the appropriate VA form along with receipts and proof of the veteran military service. Filing promptly after the burial helps ensure the claim is processed without delay.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).