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The VA provides burial benefits that can save veteran families thousands of dollars. Here's what's available and how to qualify.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers three categories of burial benefits to eligible veterans and their families:
Generally, the following are eligible for VA burial benefits:
Important: A dishonorable discharge disqualifies a veteran from all VA burial benefits. Other-than-honorable discharge may still qualify depending on the character-of-discharge determination.
If the veteran died from a service-connected disability or while receiving VA care:
The $2,000 maximum applies if the veteran died on or after September 11, 2001 (VA lists $1,500 for deaths before that date). There is no filing time limit for a service-connected death.
If the veteran did not die from a service-connected condition, the VA pays a burial allowance and a separate plot allowance. Amounts depend on the date of death and are adjusted every October 1. As listed by the VA (va.gov burial allowance page, last updated October 1, 2026):
Eligibility is limited: for example, the veteran generally must have died while receiving VA pension or compensation, while under VA care, or while traveling for VA-authorized care, and must not have received a dishonorable discharge. Amounts change every year, so confirm the current figures and your eligibility on va.gov or with the VA at 1-800-827-1000.
If the veteran's remains are unclaimed, the VA will pay the full cost of burial in a national cemetery.
Burial in a VA national cemetery includes the following at no cost to the family:
| Benefit | What's Included | Private Cemetery Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gravesite | Free in any VA national cemetery | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Opening/closing grave | Included | $500-$1,500 |
| Headstone or marker | Government-furnished, inscribed | $500-$4,000 |
| Burial liner/vault | Provided in some cemeteries | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Perpetual care | Included forever | $200-$1,000+ one-time |
| Presidential Memorial Certificate | Provided to family | N/A |
| Burial flag | U.S. flag for draping casket | N/A |
Potential savings: $3,200-$14,500 compared to a private cemetery with equivalent services.
The VA provides headstones or markers at no cost for:
Options include flat bronze, flat granite, flat marble, upright granite, and upright marble markers. The VA handles manufacturing and shipping; the family or cemetery handles installation (usually $100-$300 at a private cemetery).
Even with VA benefits, the family typically pays for:
Even with full VA benefits, families should expect to pay $4,000-$8,000+ out of pocket for the services and items the VA does not cover.
Veterans can establish eligibility in advance by submitting VA Form 40-10007 (Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery).
To claim the burial allowance after a veteran's death, submit VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits). Include:
For a non-service-connected death, apply within 2 years of the veteran's burial (the VA lists exceptions, and there is no time limit for a service-connected death). Claims can be submitted online at va.gov, by mail, or through a Veterans Service Organization (VSO).
| Factor | National Cemetery | Private Cemetery |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (plot, opening/closing, marker, care) | $3,000-$10,000+ |
| Spouse burial | Same gravesite, no additional cost | Second plot required ($1,000-$5,000) |
| Location choice | 155+ cemeteries, not all areas covered | Choose any cemetery |
| Visitation hours | Set hours, may be limited | Often more flexible |
| Decoration policy | Strict - flags and small items only | Usually more flexible |
| Wait times | Some cemeteries have 1-2 week waits | Usually 2-5 business days |
| Personalization | Standard markers and inscriptions | Full choice of markers and design |
Answers below summarize information published by the VA at va.gov/burials-memorials. Rules and amounts change, so confirm on va.gov before you rely on them.
Often, yes. A veteran who did not receive a dishonorable discharge may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. The VA says the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a government headstone or marker, and perpetual care are provided at no cost to the family. Family still pays for things like the funeral home, casket or urn, and flowers. You can check eligibility and schedule a burial through the VA eligibility page or the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117.
If a veteran died from a service-connected disability, the VA can pay a burial allowance of up to $2,000 for a death on or after September 11, 2001 (up to $1,500 for earlier deaths). If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, the VA may also reimburse some or all of the cost of transporting the remains. There is no filing time limit for a service-connected death. Apply with VA Form 21P-530EZ; see va.gov for how.
According to the VA, a veteran's spouse or surviving spouse (even if they remarried), minor children, and in some cases unmarried adult dependent children may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. A spouse can usually be buried in the same gravesite. A government headstone or marker for a spouse or dependent is available when they are buried in a national or state veterans cemetery. Family members and others who paid for the funeral (spouse, child, parent, executor, or a friend) may be able to claim the burial allowance if the veteran meets the requirements. Confirm details on the VA eligibility page.
For a death on or after October 1, 2025 the VA lists $1,002 for burial plus $1,002 for a plot; for a death on or after October 1, 2026 it lists $1,032 plus $1,032. These amounts are adjusted every October 1; check the VA table for the date that applies.
Independent information site. We are not a funeral home and are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
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