VA Burial and Memorial Benefits for Veteran Families

What Burial Benefits Are Available?

The VA offers several burial and memorial benefits, including:

• Burial in a VA national cemetery with a headstone or marker.
• A burial flag to drape over the casket or accompany the urn.
• A Presidential Memorial Certificate honoring the veteran's service.
• Burial allowances (partial reimbursement of funeral costs) for eligible veterans.
• Plot or interment allowance for burial in a private cemetery.

Who Is Eligible?

Burial in a VA national cemetery is generally available to veterans who received a discharge other than dishonorable, as well as their eligible spouses and dependents. Burial allowances are typically available when the veteran's death was service-connected, or when the veteran was receiving a VA pension or compensation at the time of death.

How to Claim Burial Benefits

Burial in a national cemetery can often be arranged through the funeral director, who coordinates with the VA. Burial allowances require an application to the VA, typically filed within two years of the veteran's death. A VA-accredited representative can help you navigate the process at no cost.

Burial Benefits vs. Private Life Insurance

VA burial benefits help with certain funeral and memorial costs for eligible veterans. They are typically limited in amount and scope. Many families choose to supplement these benefits with private life insurance, such as final expense policies, to help cover remaining funeral costs, outstanding debts, or ongoing living expenses that government benefits do not fully address.