VA Burial and Memorial Benefits: A Complete Guide for Families of Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of burial and memorial benefits to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans. These benefits can help families manage the costs associated with final arrangements and ensure that veterans receive the dignified recognition they have earned. This comprehensive guide covers all the burial and memorial benefits available, who is eligible, and how to apply.

Overview of VA Burial and Memorial Benefits

The VA offers several distinct types of burial and memorial benefits. Understanding each can help families make informed decisions during a difficult time:

1. Burial Allowance: A one-time payment to help offset funeral and burial costs.
2. National Cemetery Burial: Burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost, including the gravesite, opening and closing, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care.
3. Headstone, Marker, or Medallion: A government-provided headstone, marker, or medallion for an eligible veteran's grave, even in a private cemetery.
4. Presidential Memorial Certificate: A signed certificate from the President honoring the veteran's service.
5. Burial Flag: A United States flag to drape the casket or accompany the urn.
6. Veterans Legacy Memorial: An online memorial profile where family and friends can post tributes and photos.

Burial Allowance

The VA provides a one-time burial allowance (also called a burial benefit) to help offset funeral and burial costs. The amount depends on whether the death was service-connected and whether the veteran was hospitalized by the VA at the time of death.

Service-Connected Death

If the veteran's death was service-connected, the VA pays up to $2,000 toward burial expenses. This higher allowance recognizes the additional burden on families of service members who died as a result of their service.

Non-Service-Connected Death

For non-service-connected deaths, the burial allowance is up to $780 (as of 2024). This amount may be higher (up to $978) if the veteran was hospitalized by the VA at the time of death.

Eligibility for Burial Allowance

To qualify for a burial allowance, the following conditions must be met:

• The veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• The veteran's death was not the result of their own willful misconduct.
• The expense was not reimbursed by another government agency or the military.
• The application is filed within two years of the veteran's burial or cremation.

How to Apply for Burial Allowance

To apply, submit VA Form 21P-530 (Application for Burial Benefits). You will need:

• The veteran's death certificate
• The veteran's DD-214 or service records
• Receipts or invoices for funeral and burial expenses
• Documentation showing whether you received any reimbursement from other sources

National Cemetery Burial

One of the most significant benefits available to veterans is burial in a VA national cemetery. There are currently more than 155 national cemeteries and soldiers' lots throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

What Is Included

Burial in a national cemetery includes, at no cost to the family:

• Gravesite: The burial plot itself.
• Opening and Closing: The labor to dig and fill the grave.
• Grave Liner: A concrete grave liner to prevent settling.
• Headstone or Marker: A government-furnished headstone or marker with the veteran's name, dates of birth and death, branch of service, and optional inscriptions.
• Perpetual Care: Ongoing maintenance of the gravesite, forever.
• Burial Flag: A U.S. flag to drape the casket.
• Presidential Memorial Certificate: A certificate signed by the President.

Eligibility for National Cemetery Burial

Veterans are generally eligible for burial in a national cemetery if they:

• Were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
• Served on active duty (or certain reserve duty)
• Are a spouse or dependent child of an eligible veteran (spouses and eligible dependents may be buried in the same cemetery, even if they predecease the veteran)

Certain other individuals, including some U.S. Public Health Service officers and certain World War II Merchant Marines, may also be eligible.

How to Arrange National Cemetery Burial

You cannot pre-arrange burial in a national cemetery — arrangements must be made at the time of need. When a veteran passes away:

1. Contact the National Cemetery: The funeral home you are working with can contact the nearest national cemetery, or you can call the VA's National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.
2. Provide Documentation: The cemetery will need the veteran's DD-214, death certificate, and cremation or burial information.
3. Scheduling: The cemetery will schedule the burial, typically within a few days to a few weeks depending on availability.

Headstones, Markers, and Medallions

For veterans buried in private cemeteries (not in a national cemetery), the VA provides a government-furnished headstone, marker, or medallion at no cost.

Types of Memorials Available

1. Upright Headstone: A granite or marble headstone, similar to those in national cemeteries.
2. Flat Marker: A granite, marble, or bronze flat marker set flush with the ground.
3. Bronze Niche Marker: A smaller marker for columbarium niches (for cremated remains).
4. Medallion: A bronze medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone, for families who prefer to purchase their own headstone but still want to mark the veteran's service.

What Is Inscribed

The VA will inscribe the veteran's name, branch of service, and dates of birth and death. Families can add optional inscriptions, such as:

• Military awards and decorations (e.g., "Purple Heart," "Bronze Star")
• War service (e.g., "World War II," "Vietnam")
• Personal terms of endearment (limited to 1-2 lines)
• Emblems of belief (religious symbols)

How to Apply for a Headstone or Marker

Submit VA Form 40-1330 (Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker). The form can be submitted:

• Online: Through the VA's Gravesite Locator / Headstone application portal.
• By Mail: To the Memorial Products Service office in Milwaukee, WI.
• Through the Funeral Home: Many funeral homes will handle this as part of their services.

Applications can be submitted at any time — there is no deadline. If the veteran has been deceased for some time, you can still apply for a headstone or marker if one was never provided.

Presidential Memorial Certificate

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current President of the United States, honoring the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.

Eligibility

The deceased must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. There is no time limit for requesting a PMC, and families can request multiple copies for different family members.

How to Request a Presidential Memorial Certificate

Submit VA Form 40-0247 (Application for Presidential Memorial Certificate). You can:

• Apply Online: Through the VA's website.
• By Mail: Send the form to the National Cemetery Administration.
• Through a Funeral Home: Many funeral homes assist with this request.

Burial Flag

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

Eligibility

Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for a burial flag. Certain reservists and National Guard members may also qualify.

How to Obtain a Burial Flag

Burial flags are available at any U.S. Post Office. You will need to complete VA Form 27-2008 (Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes) and provide the veteran's DD-214 or other proof of service. The funeral home can also help obtain the flag.

Veterans Legacy Memorial

The Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) is an online memorial platform maintained by the VA National Cemetery Administration. It allows families and friends to post tributes, photos, and historical documents in honor of veterans interred in VA national cemeteries.

How to Use the Veterans Legacy Memorial

Visit VA.gov/vlm and search for the veteran by name. You can create an account to post tributes, upload photos, and share memories. This is a free, lasting digital tribute to your loved one's service.

Pre-Need Burial Eligibility Determination

The VA offers a pre-need eligibility determination service, which allows families to find out in advance whether the veteran is eligible for burial in a national cemetery. This can provide peace of mind and streamline the burial process when the time comes.

How to Apply for Pre-Need Determination

Submit VA Form 40-1330E (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery). The VA will review the veteran's service records and issue an eligibility decision that remains on file.

Additional Benefits for Survivors

In addition to burial and memorial benefits, survivors of veterans may be eligible for other VA benefits:

• DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation): Monthly tax-free payment for surviving spouses of veterans whose death was service-connected.
• Survivors Pension: Needs-based monthly payment for surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans.
• CHAMPVA: Health care coverage for eligible surviving spouses and children.
• Education Benefits: Including the Fry Scholarship and DEA (Chapter 35) for surviving spouses and children.
• VA Home Loan: Surviving spouses may be able to use the veteran's VA home loan benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a veteran be buried in a national cemetery if they were cremated?

Yes. National cemeteries have columbarium niches for cremated remains, as well as in-ground burial plots for cremains.

Can a spouse be buried with the veteran in a national cemetery?

Yes. Eligible spouses (and in some cases, dependent children) can be buried in the same national cemetery plot as the veteran, even if they predecease the veteran.

Is there a cost for burial in a national cemetery?

No. All costs associated with burial in a national cemetery — including the gravesite, opening and closing, grave liner, headstone, and perpetual care — are covered by the VA.

Can I get a headstone for a veteran buried in a private cemetery?

Yes. The VA provides government-furnished headstones, markers, or medallions for eligible veterans buried in private cemeteries.

What if the veteran was dishonorably discharged?

Veterans discharged under dishonorable conditions are generally not eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits. However, families can request a review of the discharge characterization through the Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military Records.

How long does it take to receive the burial allowance?

Processing times vary, but burial allowance claims are typically processed within 30-90 days of submission.

Planning Ahead

While the VA does not allow advance scheduling of national cemetery burials, families can:

1. Gather Documents: Ensure the veteran's DD-214 is in a safe, accessible place.
2. Apply for Pre-Need Determination: Submit VA Form 40-1330E to confirm eligibility for national cemetery burial.
3. Discuss Wishes: Have a conversation with family members about burial preferences.
4. Organize Records: Keep the veteran's service records, VA disability rating decisions, and medical records together.

Getting Help

This guide is for educational purposes only. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the VA and cannot file claims on your behalf. For official information and assistance, contact the VA directly at 800-827-1000 or visit VA.gov.

Visit our complete burial benefits guide and our veteran benefits resource center for official VA links and additional educational materials. You may also want to read our DIC benefits complete guide for information about monthly survivor benefits.