Financial Help and Funeral Benefits for Veterans

When a Veteran dies, families may be so focused on grief and funeral arrangements that they don't realize there are burial and memorial benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Those benefits can be significant.

Depending on eligibility and where the Veteran is buried, benefits may include burial in a VA national cemetery, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, military funeral honors, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and financial assistance toward certain burial, funeral, plot, interment, or transportation expenses.  

If someone you love served in the military, it's worth taking the time to find out exactly what benefits they earned through that service.

You don't have to understand everything before you begin. The important thing is simply to know that these benefits exist and to ask.

Who May Qualify for Veterans Burial Benefits?

Eligibility depends on the Veteran's military service, discharge status, and the particular benefit being requested.

Generally, Veterans who did not receive a dishonorable discharge may qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery. Active-duty service members and certain Reservists may also qualify. Spouses, surviving spouses, minor children, and in some circumstances unmarried adult dependent children may qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery as well.  

Because individual circumstances vary, don't assume that your loved one wasn't eligible simply because you're unsure about the rules.

The VA provides an eligibility tool families can use to check.

Check eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery

What Does Burial in a VA National Cemetery Include?

For an eligible Veteran, burial in a VA national cemetery can eliminate several expenses that families would otherwise have to pay themselves.

According to the VA, burial in a national cemetery with available space can include:

• A gravesite
• Opening and closing of the grave
• A government-provided burial liner
• A government headstone or marker
• Perpetual care of the gravesite

Eligible Veterans, service members, and Reservists may also receive a burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, and military funeral honors.  

Those are substantial benefits.

If you're comparing the cost of burial in a private cemetery with burial in a VA national cemetery, make sure you understand which expenses would already be covered before making your final decision.

VA Burial Allowances May Help With Funeral Expenses

VA benefits aren't limited to the cemetery itself.

Eligible families may also qualify for a VA burial allowance, which is a monetary benefit intended to help with certain burial and funeral costs. Depending on the circumstances, assistance may also be available for a burial plot or interment and transportation of the Veteran's remains.  

The amount available and eligibility requirements vary, so I wouldn't rely on a dollar amount you see quoted in an older article online. Check the VA directly for the current allowance that applies to your circumstances.

See current VA burial allowance amounts and eligibility requirements

That's especially important because benefit amounts and requirements can change.

What If the Veteran Is Buried in a Private Cemetery?

Choosing a private cemetery does not necessarily mean giving up every Veterans memorial benefit.

Eligible Veterans buried in private cemeteries may still qualify for a government headstone or marker or, in certain circumstances, a medallion for a privately purchased headstone. They may also qualify for a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate.  

That means families who already own a cemetery plot, have a family burial location, or simply prefer a private cemetery should still investigate VA benefits.

Don't assume the benefits only apply to national cemeteries.

A Government Headstone or Marker

The VA provides government-furnished headstones and markers for eligible Veterans and service members.

Depending upon the circumstances, these may be available for graves in national, state Veterans, tribal Veterans, military post, or private cemeteries.

For a private cemetery, families generally need to apply for the headstone or marker. The current application is VA Form 40-1330.  

Learn about Veterans headstones and markers

The United States Burial Flag

An American burial flag is one of the most recognizable traditions associated with a Veteran's funeral.

For an eligible Veteran, a United States flag may be provided to drape the casket or accompany the urn. The flag is traditionally presented to the next of kin following the service.

For many families, that flag becomes one of the most treasured reminders of their loved one's military service.

Military Funeral Honors

Eligible Veterans may also receive military funeral honors provided by the Department of Defense.

These honors add something that money simply cannot purchase: recognition of a person's service to our country.

If military funeral honors are important to your family, tell the funeral director as early as possible that your loved one was a Veteran. Funeral directors frequently help families coordinate these arrangements.

The Presidential Memorial Certificate

Families may also be eligible to receive a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

This is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current President recognizing the Veteran's military service.

When an eligible Veteran is buried in a national cemetery, the next of kin is generally presented with a certificate at the burial. When an eligible Veteran is buried elsewhere, qualifying family members or close friends can request one from the VA.  

Request a Presidential Memorial Certificate

Gather the Veteran's Documents Early

One of the most helpful things you can do is begin gathering important paperwork before you start making calls.

In particular, look for the Veteran's military discharge documents—often the DD214—along with the death certificate and funeral or cemetery bills and receipts.

The VA may require documentation showing military service and proof of death, and burial-allowance claims may require receipts or statements showing funeral and cemetery expenses.  

Create one folder—paper or electronic—and keep everything together.

During grief, even simple paperwork can feel overwhelming. Having one place for everything can make the process considerably easier.

How Do You Apply for a VA Burial Allowance?

Families can apply for a VA burial allowance online or by mail. The current paper application is VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits.  

Apply for VA burial benefits

There's also an important exception families should know about.

An eligible surviving spouse generally does not need to submit a burial-cost claim if they're already listed as the Veteran's spouse in the Veteran's VA profile. After the VA receives notice of the Veteran's death, it can automatically pay the eligible surviving spouse the applicable amount.  

If you're uncertain whether this applies to you, contact the VA rather than assuming a payment will happen automatically.

Planning Ahead Can Help Your Family Later

If you're a Veteran reading this while planning ahead rather than after a death, there's something particularly useful you can do now.

The VA allows Veterans and eligible family members to apply for a pre-need determination of eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery.

In other words, you can find out whether you qualify before your family ever needs the benefit.

The VA specifically encourages advance eligibility determination because it can simplify decisions for families later.  

Apply for a pre-need burial eligibility determination

That's one piece of planning that could save your family both money and uncertainty during an already difficult time.

Don't Leave Benefits Unclaimed Because You Didn't Know to Ask

This is probably the most important message in this article.

Ask.

Tell the funeral director your loved one was a Veteran.

Contact the VA.

Find the discharge paperwork.

Check burial eligibility.

Ask about the burial allowance.

Ask about transportation assistance.

Ask about the cemetery.

Ask about the headstone.

Ask about the flag and military honors.

You don't have to know beforehand which benefits your family qualifies for. You simply need to begin the process.

A Veteran's burial and memorial benefits were earned through service. Families should not feel uncomfortable asking what is available.

Veterans Benefits Are One Piece of the Financial Picture

Even with Veterans burial benefits, families may still face expenses that aren't covered.

That's why it's helpful to look at the entire financial picture.

Depending on your circumstances, there may also be Social Security benefits, state or local funeral assistance programs, church or community help, life insurance, family contributions, or online fundraising options available.

If you're not sure where to begin, visit our Help Paying for a Funeral Resource Center, where we're gathering practical information about the different ways families may be able to reduce or manage funeral expenses.

Final Thoughts

Losing someone you love is difficult enough without discovering afterward that your family missed benefits that might have helped.

If your loved one served in the military, take a little time to investigate their Veterans burial and memorial benefits before assuming everything must be paid privately.

Some benefits can reduce actual funeral and cemetery expenses. Others—such as the burial flag, military honors, government marker, and Presidential Memorial Certificate—provide something equally meaningful: recognition of a life that included service to our country.

You don't need to figure it all out at once.

Start with one call, one document, or one question.

Then take the next step.

Planning a Funeral for a Veteran? 

If you're honoring a loved one who served, we've created a collection of Veteran and Military Funeral Program Templates designed to help you create a beautiful tribute to their life, service, and sacrifice.

EXPLORE VETERAN FUNERAL PROGRAMS →