VA Burial Benefits
National cemetery burial, headstone/marker, and burial flag for the veteran; reimbursement to surviving family for burial costs.
Who qualifies
- Through veteran sponsor (any rating)
Details
Eligibility
Veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
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/$1,002 amounts. Reimbursement is paid to the surviving family member who paid the burial costs (receipt required).
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.
Always confirm current rates and rules on VA.gov before applying — eligibility rules and dollar amounts change with each fiscal year.
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