VA Burial Benefits & Veterans Burial Allowance

Veterans deserve honor in life and death. The VA offers burial benefits to ensure service members receive respectful final arrangements and to ease the financial burden on their families.

Key Benefits Include:

• Burial in a VA national cemetery
• Headstone or marker, burial flag, and memorial certificate
• Perpetual care and military funeral honors
• Burial allowance to help with funeral costs (if not buried in a VA cemetery)

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility typically includes:

• Veterans with qualifying service
• Spouses and minor children
• Some unmarried adult children with disabilities

How to Apply:

Apply online, by mail, or at a VA regional office. Submit:

• DD214 (discharge papers)
• Death certificate
• Supporting documentation for expenses

Planning Ahead:

Veterans can apply in advance for burial eligibility through the VA’s Pre-Need Determination Program. This helps:

• Confirm eligibility before time of need
• Simplify the process for grieving families
• Ensure timely arrangements and honors
• Apply early to reduce stress on loved ones during a difficult time

Survivor Support:

Survivors may also be eligible for:

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
• VA Pension
• Education and training assistance
• Bereavement counseling

Understanding how these benefits interact with burial benefits ensures families receive the full support they’re entitled to.

Helpful Resources

Explore more about veteran burial benefits:

• VA Burial Allowance
• Burial Flags
• Headstones, Markers, and Medallions
• Schedule a Burial
• Presidential Memorial Certificates
• Bereavement Counseling