VA Burial and Memorial Benefits Explained

The VA offers a range of burial and memorial benefits to honor the service of eligible veterans. Understanding these benefits in advance can help families make informed decisions during a difficult time.

Burial in a VA National Cemetery

Eligible veterans, service members, and their dependents can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost. This benefit includes:

• The gravesite
• Opening and closing of the grave
• A government-furnished headstone or marker
• A burial flag
• Presidential Memorial Certificate
• Perpetual care of the gravesite

There is no charge for these services, and spaces are available based on the cemetery's eligibility rules.

Burial Allowances

For veterans who are not buried in a VA national cemetery, the VA may provide a burial allowance to help offset funeral and burial costs. The amount depends on whether the death was service-connected:

• Service-connected death: Up to approximately $2,000 for burial and funeral expenses
• Non-service-connected death: A burial allowance of approximately $300, with additional amounts if the veteran was hospitalized by the VA at the time of death

Headstones and Markers

The VA provides headstones and markers at no cost for eligible veterans buried in any cemetery, whether private or public. Options include upright headstones, flat markers, and niche markers for columbariums.

Burial Flags

The VA provides a United States flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran. After the service, the flag is typically given to the next of kin as a keepsake.

How to Apply

To request burial in a VA national cemetery, families should contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at the time of need. For burial allowances, families should submit VA Form 21P-530 within two years of the veteran's death.

Planning Ahead

Families can pre-plan by determining eligibility for national cemetery burial in advance. The VA's Pre-Need Eligibility Determination program allows families to confirm burial eligibility before the time of need.

Our resource center provides links to official VA information about burial and memorial benefits, accredited representatives, and more.

Explore Our Complete Guide

For a comprehensive overview of this topic, visit our burial benefits guide and our veteran benefits resource center for official VA links and additional educational materials.