VA Burial Benefits
National cemetery burial, headstone/marker, and burial flag for the veteran; reimbursement to surviving family for burial costs.
Federal BenefitBurial & Memorial
Verified September 30, 2026 against va.gov
At a glance
- Benefit type
- Burial & Memorial — Federal
- Who it's for
- Survivors
- VA rating needed
- No rating requirement
- Where it applies
- United States
- Last verified
- September 30, 2026
What is VA Burial Benefits?
VA Burial Benefits is a federal burial & memorial benefit for survivors. National cemetery burial, headstone/marker, and burial flag for the veteran; reimbursement to surviving family for burial costs.
Who qualifies
- Survivors
- Through veteran sponsor (any rating)
Who is eligible
Eligibility
Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Pre-need eligibility
A veteran can apply in advance to determine eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery using VA Form 40-10007.
How to apply (after death): Surviving family submits VA Form 21P-530EZ for the burial allowance.
What VA Burial Benefits covers
Includes
Burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost, government-furnished headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, burial flag, and military funeral honors.
Burial allowance (effective October 1, 2025): $1,002 burial allowance plus $1,002 plot/interment allowance for non-service-connected deaths. For service-connected deaths, VA pays a substantially higher burial allowance (currently up to $2,000) in lieu of the $1,002 non-service-connected burial allowance (a plot or interment allowance may still be paid in addition in some cases). Reimbursement is paid to the surviving family member who paid the burial costs (receipt required).
Verified information & sources
- Last verified
- September 30, 2026
- Official source
- va.gov
Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
How VetUnlock verifies benefitsFrequently asked questions about VA Burial Benefits
Who qualifies for VA Burial Benefits?
VA Burial Benefits is for Survivors; Through veteran sponsor (any rating). See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How do I apply for VA Burial Benefits?
Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Where can I verify VA Burial Benefits?
Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.